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Ian Legge’s music defies expectations. As he put it, “most people don’t see the cello out in the wild very much.”
The Berklee School of Music graduate who’s been playing the cello since fourth grade decided right around the pandemic to embark on a musical adventure, calling himself the Punk Cellist and reimagining beloved punk rock tunes.
When I get to bring a song that they recognize to an instrument that they don’t recognize, that’s why I fell in love with doing these covers,” he said. “You’re hearing (the song) in a new way. It’s almost like you’re hearing it … for the first time.”
Legge has amassed a significant following, including admiration from some of the artists he has covered as the Punk Cellist. While the cello might seem an unlikely fit for expressing his love of punk music, watching him perform with a full band reveals how seamlessly the string instrument melds with pounding drums and electric guitar. He’s arranged songs by NOFX and cites local hardcore bands like Wilhelm Scream as influences. Many of them have become admirers.
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He credits the New Bedford music scene for nurturing his passion.
“I owe everything to the New Bedford music scene. I really do,” Legge said. “It taught me how to have fun at shows. It taught me how to network. I met some of the best people I’ve ever met through the music scene and punk shows at the VFW and American Legions Halls.“
The band displayed punk rock energy at a recent performance at PLAY Arcade in downtown New Bedford, diving into some of Legge’s favorite songs. He said he feels equally comfortable playing a laid-back set at a brewery or a wedding.
“When I play at certain venues, I like to gauge what the volume level should be. So, for a brewery or a cafe I’m going to play with backing tracks and play alone. When I play at PLAY Arcade or at the Vault with Wilhelm Scream, then I’ll definitely have a full band. We go all out.”
Legge’s education with the cello began in the Dartmouth school district, where his teacher encouraged him to experiment with the instrument’s potential. Discovering Berklee’s contemporary music studies program further fueled his passion for experimentation and nurtured his unconventional approach to a traditional instrument. As the Punk Cellist, he defies the notions of what a classical instrument can accomplish.
David Walega is a photojournalist from the South Coast whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email him at dwalega@newbedfordlight.org
