Virgin Mobile Announce FreeFest

The Pilmco Raceway in Baltimore, Md has always been called "home" to Virgin Mobile USA's Virgin Mobile Fest. In recent years, this large end of the summer event has played host to big name acts like the Foo Fighters and Kayne West. Well, this year things are going to be radically different.

The event has moved out of Baltimore to the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Md, and has been aptly retitled, "Free Fest." That's right, this year's festival, to be held on August 30, will be FREE of charge. That may only be the second best part of the event, given that the headliners will be recently reunited Blink 182 and current tourmates, Weezer. Also scheduled to perform are Franz Ferdinand, Jet, Taking Back Sunday, Public Enemy and The Hold Steady.

The reason for Free Fest? Tough economic times. The event is hoping to please music fans who have had to cut back on luxuries, like concerts. 35,000 tickets will be made available for FreeFest. Virgin Mobile customers and past Virgin Fest ticket buyers will be invited to a private ticket sale on Thursday, June 24. General tickets will open to the public at 10 AM on Saturday, June 27. Tickets will be made available through TicketMaster, who have surprisingly agreed to waive their service fees for the event.

Please note that although Free Fest is free, attendees are encouraged to donate $5, which will go to surrounding homeless shelters. Also, VIP areas will be available to those who volunteer at least 13 hours at the shelters.

For more information, visit www.930.com or www.virginmobilefreefest.com

photos: Jack's Mannequin + The Fray

photos by Amy Willard

Jack's Mannequin


The Fray

Shot of the Night: The Fray

photo by Amy Willard




Isaac Slade from The Fray delivers to a packed audience at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia Maryland on June 16.

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Shot of the Night: Piano Man

Amy Willard captured this stunning image of Jack's Mannequin front man, Andrew McMahon, leaping from his piano during Tuesday's set at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD.

Local Front Man Loses Battle With Cancer

Clark Sabine, the front man of local indie rockers, Statehood, lost his battle to cancer this week at the age of 33. The band released this message on their website:

We are deeply saddened to tell you that Clark passed away on Tuesday evening at a hospice in Arlington, VA. He was first diagnosed with melanoma in February of 2008, and after a series of surgeries and treatments, we thought he was in the clear. In the fall the cancer returned and spread to other parts of his body. Experimental treatments were in the works, but we needed chemotherapy to shrink some of the tumors before beginning this treatment. In May, we found out that the chemo was not working and that the condition was terminal. Clark was 33 years old.

As a band, we had 10 songs in line for a second Statehood record, and we'll talk about where we go with that in weeks to come. While Clark was in hospice care, he did some additional tracking with our friends Nikhil and Jason, and we listened to newer recordings to sort out details in the songs. Music was insanely important to Clark, and it gave him comfort to keep working on songwriting until the end.

Playing in a band with Clark was extraordinary and something to look forward to week in and week out. Often at practice we'd be laughing until we couldn't breathe from Clark's wild sense of humor and adventure. Anyone who knew him, even in passing, knows exactly what we mean. To say that he will be missed is an absurd understatement.

Thank you to everyone who gave Clark and the band support through these trying times. We will come back with more information as soon as we have it.

- Eric, Joe and Leigh

Our hearts are with the Sabine family and the Statehood community

Rise Against

photos by Ashley Perry

Celtic rock bassist takes the rabbit out of the hat

Nathen Maxwell, famed bassist from Flogging Molly, has unveiled his solo project: Nathen Maxwell and the Original Bunny Gang. For thirteen years, Maxwell has performed and recorded with the popular Celtic rock band. In addition, he has contributed heavily to the group's song writing. After recording Float with the Los Angeles band, Maxwell was encouraged by frontman, Dave King to "tell his own story." With that blessing, Maxwell sought out the band's long time producer Ted Hut (The Gaslight Anthem, Bouncing Souls, Street Dogs) to work with him in the studio.

Nathen Maxwell and the Original Bunny Gang are expected to release their debut album with SideOneDummy titled White Rabbit, later this summer. The record will feature a unique side of Maxwell, blending rock, reggae, and folk.

Bid to Bowl with Scary Kids + more

Van's Warped Tour is teaming up to help join the fight against cancer and participating in the T.J. Martell Foundation Bowling Tournament presented by The Edge 103.9 Radio. The event will take place June 29, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ. Head on over to Ebay for your chance to bid on a spot to bowl. Bands participating this year include:
NOFX
Bad Religion
Less Than Jake
Underoath
Anti-Flag
Bayside
Scary Kids Scaring Kids
The Maine
Innerpartysystem
There For Tomorrow
Hit The Lights
The White Tie Affair
Meg & Dia
Big D & The Kids Table
Senses Fail
TAT
The A.K.A.s
Sing It Loud
Lights
Madina Lake
Black Tide
The Architects
Escape The Fate
A Rocket To The Moon
Dear and the Headlights
TV/TV

Check out Scary Kids' plug for the event

Girl In A Coma in DC Next Week

Blackheart Records independent rockers, Girl In A Coma, will be hitting up DC's The Red & The Black this Tuesday, armed with their latest release, Trio B.C. The 13 track record showcases the talent of this San Antonio trio comprised of: Jenna Alva (bass), Phanie Diaz (drums) and her younger sister, Nina Diaz (vox/guitar). Their sound takes inspiration from across the music spectrum featuring licks from oldies to alternative, indie to mainstream.

If you'll be on the H street corridor this coming Tuesday, be sure to swing by The Red & The Black and catch this upcoming all-girl band. The show starts at 8:30 PM. Tickets $10.