Rubber City Rocks the Local Music Scene

By day, they are insurance salesmen, teachers, plumbers, engineers. But at night, they become Mr. Fabulous, Mr. Incredible, Big Daddy and the Smooth One, icons of sorts on the local musical and nightclub scene.

They’re the members of Rubber City, or the Rubber City Blues Band, a Naugatuck-based R&B and classic pop band that plays at various venues throughout the Borough and beyond.

At 12 members strong - each with a unique nickname - they’re big, they’re loud, and most of all, they’re fun.

“We’re well liked wherever we go,” says founding member Charley Marenghi, a teacher at Cross Street Intermediate School in Naugatuck who plays trombone. “One thing that most people will tell you is that you’re going to have a good time at our performance.”

The band plays a variety of crowd favorites, including songs by the Blues Brothers, Chicago and Tower of Power mixed with some ‘70s funk songs, such as those by Sly and the Family Stone, and Motown music, including hits by Stevie Wonder and several others. The Rubber City band also plays some tunes from the ‘90s and 2000s, such as hits by the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Reel Big Fish.

The band plays at various summer concerts, including many put on by municipalities, as well as at nightclubs, restaurants and members donates their musical services for numerous charitable events, including those to raise money for schools and people in need in the community.

Tonight, Friday, Aug. 2, the band will play at Slainte Pub and Eatery at 1221 New Haven Road in Naugatuck. Rubber City goes on at 9 p.m. and will play until midnight or beyond. There is no cover charge. 

Rubber City was formed in 2006 and consists of members from a variety of backgrounds who have one thing in common: they all have a Naugatuck connection.

“Most of us went to Naugatuck High School, played in the band,” Marenghi said. “Then we went on to college, and most of us played in bands there, too. After a while, we decided it was time to get back into it.”

The genesis for the band comes from the Naugatuck Community Band, of which Marenghi was the director. Rubber City members started getting together during jam sessions and toyed with some jazz, blues and other tunes. Soon, the idea for a band was formulated.

The name Rubber City came from the history of Naugatuck, which was once known as the Rubber City because it produced rubber for the U.S. Rubber Co. and later, Uniroyal.

“It was a way to pay homage to our hometown,” Marenghi said. “We’re a Naugatuck band.”

There have been about 20 or so people who have been band members at one point, and many come back to play in special performances.

"We have different people play with us all the time, and alumni members are always welcomed back," Marenghi said. "We're like a family; we love the camaraderie." 

And whether it’s Mr. Incredible – Marenghi – playing the horns, or the new drummer, Tuxedo Dave – Dave DeCarlo of DeCarlo’s Cleaners in Naugatuck – the band members have something else in common: they love putting on a good show.

“I say our band is the equivalent of a slow-pitch softball team,” Marenghi said. “Some people play softball, some play golf; this is what we do. We just love performing.”

Learn more about the Rubber City band on its website here.