And I say HELLO, to the new additions to the local scene, Adverse Attraction and Nightsbridge, the energy was contagious as you walked through the practically SOLD OUT, multilevel Ottobar which hosted their debut shows. Carbonstone and Others May Fall prepared the stage as they performed to a musical melting pot of a crowd, filled with other bands, promoters, musicians, studio masters and other supporters of the scene. It was like coming HOME <3.

"THE SCENE" was there to support our FRIENDS – OUR SCENE.

"Adverse Attraction" was very photogenic, their high energy, fun loving antics, comical, and entertaining songs were well rehearsed and executed. For a debut show the band performed like seasoned professionals - they added exactly what needed to be added (guest appearance by Tony Correlli on synthesizer). The band, would practically make love to the camera, making the audience feel as if that there were no separation between them. It was a pleasure to hear them perform their RADIO HIT – The Game, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpHL3nvzTdU&feature=youtube_gdata_player .

"Adverse Attraction" warmed up the already enlivened stage for yet another debut show – Nightsbridge. Fronted by Mickey Valentine, the highly costumed, and accessorized entertainers stepped onto the stage with dramatic flair, perfectly timed poses, and spot on music & voice to compliment, even improve upon crowd favorite covers like - No More Mister Nice Guy (Alice Cooper cover), and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap (ACDC cover). (http://www.wearenightsbridge.com/ or http://www.facebook.com/wearenightsbridge )

As always I have always been honored to be a part of this magical scene, and I was able to help make MUSIC "video" MAGIC, when earlier in the month I was invited to be an extra in the filming of 2 videos, one for the "Static" – formerly hit-maker "HotSpur" (http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82762126/ - So Wrong), and one for "The Perfects" performing a reboot of the "U2" single With or Without You. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGoysklG4pw - Girls that Dance)

No matter where I travel, there is no place like HOME (The Baltimore Music Scene), and as always, I will look forward to seeing the musicians, comedians, and the fans that love them while I am out and about bringing the music that we love into the light!

Signed,

Dawn of the Underground

So on that note, I have been trying to have Breakfast at Tiffany's moments as often as possible, and I suggest you do too. If you normally listen to Rock, listen to Alternative, Punk, Hip Hop or Jazz. By immersing yourself in other genres you may find something you like, or if you are a musician this approach may add spice to your own musical creations. I pride myself on being non-genre specific, and approach all music with an open ear, heart, and mind. If you open yourself up to new influences you may find new genres you never knew about that could greatly influence you.

Some of the amazing music heard this month was the soulful swooning of Frenamie, which sounded like a beautiful mix of Janis Joplin and the energetic styling's of one of todays pop divas. This was my first Frenamie show and wont be my last. Young, born to be wild, and strange describes some of the new entertainment that is emerging onto the Baltimore scene. Tu-tus, Stage Makeup, Football Jerseys, Leather, Bikinis and coordinated acrobatics are just some of the things I've seen on stage this month.

No matter how many things change, one thing that has remained the same is the world's ability to surprise me when people are gracious, sometimes from where and when you least expect it. We have heroes in the area feeding people, offering help, and working together as a dysfunctional "messed-up" team to help our music scene in many ways. Thank you to those bands and people who have helped or have offered to help our music scene and others in need.

A special thanks goes to "Feed the Scene", Sanhedron, Megosh, King Belvedere, Brave Noise, Clear for Takeoff, When Embers Ignite, Defiant Calibur, Others May Fall, Captain Dee-fense, Ray Rice, Tommy Sinbazo, Violet Gray, Dead Center, Femi the Dri fish and the Out of Water Experience, Sons of the Radio, rebel inc., Loving the Lie, Make Love and War, Billy Lyve, April Calling, 98 Rock, Noise in the Basement, Mid Atlantic Rock Reviews, Bands Against Bullying, Musicians Against Bullying, The Deep End Studios, Gigging Musician Network, Shockwave Magazine, Hard Rock Café, and so many more - all of the entertainers, organizations and venues that are making a difference, by using their talents to make this world, and city, an amazing place to live.

Till next time, I look forward to seeing the musicians, comedians, and the fans that love them while I am out and about bringing the music that we love into the light! Wherever you live, help each other and have more Breakfast at Tiffany moments and enjoy something new you haven't tried yet!

People involved in the Baltimore music scene look out for each other. Here you can have metal heads and glam bands coming out to see a country band like Mason Vixon or see jovial moshing at a hip hop show. You never know who you might see at a venue, what will happen, who will stand on the "big stage", or who will be the next band to take a tour half way around the world. Take a taste of the Baltimore scene and you'll like it since there is something here for everyone.

If you were trying to stay cool during the month of July by staying in your house then you've missed a lot. Tears of Mars, Dreamboat Armada, Bumping Uglies, Down to Everything, Clear for Takeoff, rebel inc., Echoes in Color, The McNaustys, Defiant Calibur, King Belvedere, Loving the Lie, and more performed all over Baltimore. There are other new artists who are emerging or reappearing on the scene including: Adverse Attraction, drumfish, Push, Julian Roso, dartagnan, Sol Bandits, and more.

Hopefully, music has been a big part of your summer and you will continue to enjoy Noise in the Basement, Rock the Docks, Shockwave supported events, and the many benefits and shows that are being held this summer. Events like the John-a-Thon 2012/FUCF2 (August 18th at Hard Rock Café Baltimore), Feed the Scene's One Year Anniversary Show (August 25th at the Sidebar), and the Sanhedron sponsored event being held Sept 8th at the Whiskey in Annapolis.

(Here is the information on Sonar - Ed.)

On a more somber note, the much beloved, and much beleaguered, Club Sonar has permanently shut their doors as of July 9th. The promoters behind The Maryland Death Fest came out first with the news, as they went on to explain there will be a new venue for the event soon to be announced with all venue options still in the Baltimore area. The closing of Sonar was then confirmed by local media outlets and Sonar themselves. There has not yet been an official press release from Sonar on the reason for closing, but Shockwave will report all information as it becomes available.

Please do your best to support your local scene, LOVE OUR LOCALS.

Till next time, I look forward to seeing the musicians, comedians, and the fans that love them while I am out and about bringing the music that we love out of the underground and into the light.

King Belvedere, the good ol' boys who are making us proud that we were just signed to JamSync Records, and our ballad "Back Again", available soon, are going to be tearing up the charts. The Perfects'--well, perfection cant get much sweeter-- second video went number 1 on MTV also. Watching The Perfects propel to stardom has been an extreme pleasure as we wish them success in their future endeavors and safe travels as they perform in BRAZIL! Down To Everything opened with a rhythmic roar for Crossfade at Baltimore Soundstage, and bands continue to volunteer their time and energy to local benefit shows. Clear for Takeoff, Playground Etiquette, Megosh, Siring, King Belvedere, Defiant Calibur, Adahlia, San Headron, When Embers Ignite, Others May Fall, Soulicit, Another lost year, and many more: THANK YOU, THANK YOU, for all you do.

The FUCF2/JOHN A THON 2012 free benefit concert is Aug 18th at Hard Rock Café from 2pm-11pm (donations appreciated). All proceeds go towards finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and to bring awareness to School Violence in honor of John Settino.

Finally, enjoy your locals as they perform for you LIVE and FREE at Hard Rock Café in 98 ROCK THE DOCK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES on The Pier with Tears of Mars, Dreamboat Armada, and Justin Armstrong, starting Thursday June 21 beginning at 6pm.

Till next time, I look forward to seeing the musicians, comedians, and the fans that love them while I am out and about bringing the music that we love into the light!

Signed,

Dawn of the Underground

The Baltimore music scene was a strange and unfamiliar place, filled with unfamiliar people, and places, but because of my fraternization of a particular drummer, I began to support his music and was guided through the music scene (that he loved), venue-by-venue, person-by-person, and genre-by-genre. And I have learned that like the students in the Breakfast Club movie, that each one of us is a brain, and an athlete, and a basket case, a princess, and a criminal. We are more similar than we are different, and that our differences make us stronger. The underlying thread that holds the music scene together despite the uniqueness of each individual, each musical note, and venue is the LOVE OF MUSIC.

Because of my love for music, I am working on several benefits, and marketing promotions, helping our community and moving the music scene "into the light". One project I am involved with is "Dawn of the Underground" a non-genre specific music and talk podcast, supporting the local, national and international music scene. Watching this and other projects come alive is a heartfelt pleasure, and enjoy working with like minded people like Nikki from 98 Rock (Breast Cancer Awareness Benefit - June 18th at Baltimore Soundstage 8pm - $5 cover), and my event The John-A-Thon 2012/FUCF2 (Benefit for Awareness of School Violence/Anti Bullying and Cystic Fibrosis - August 18th on the docks at the Hard Rock Café, 2-10pm– FREE (donations encouraged)). With the support of our community we hope to use MUSIC to help heal, and bring awareness to issues that are close to our hearts.

This month, my travels brought me back to MD, I experienced the Red Carpet treatment at the Loving the Lie/Red Carpet, Video Premier of Lost in Transition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axw7dK7S3to), I bared witness to the Perfects creating yet another #1 MTV video hit (http://www.mtv.com/videos/the-perfects/757678/many-nights.jhtml) and Local "Fun Rock Band" Defiant Calibur ((http://www.facebook.com/DefiantCalibur) being named band of the Month for 98 Rock/ Shockwave Magazine. You will get to see both Loving the Lie and the Perfects at an event called Video Killed the Radio Star on June 16th at the Ottobar, and watch for great things to start happening for a band called Femi the DriFish and the Out of Water Experience (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hh6RGw60Gw&feature=related). The stage was burning when Born of Kings paid homage to the legends of metal that inspired their songs, while friends of the local scene, Frenamie held their CD release show, with Sons of the Radio and Sanheadron. Nationally, Rebel Inc.'s song "Broken Man" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxaG5K95GkY) was named the #1 Protest Song by Bubba The Love Sponge (listening market of 10 million people, 2nd only to Howard Stern).

So I implore you, Get out! And support your local musicians, they become national acts and provide us with music, inspiration and a glimpse into another world, their world - the world of MUSIC.

Till next time, I look forward to seeing the musicians, comedians, and the fans that love them while I am out and about bringing the music that we love into the light!