M3 Rock Festival
Merriweather Post Pavilion – Columbia, MD
July 2 – 4, 2021
Coverage: Joe Schaeffer
Finally returning after a more than two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions, the M3 Rockfest has been dubbed “M3 America” for its July 4th weekend appearance. Everyone has been eager to get out and rock for some time and this is the first test for myself and others at being at a full capacity venue with no restrictions.
M3: Day 1
The first day of the event started off with a short set by The Iron Maidens. The female quintet from So. California brought their unique style to the amazing songs of Iron Maiden. Although it was only a short set, they were able to sneak in the not often played “Sun and Steel” from Maiden’s “Piece Of Mind” Album
The Ted Poley fronted Tokyo Motor Fist were next up. TMF were a last-minute replacement for Heavens Edge who were unable to perform at this year’s event. Their set was mainly comprised of their two albums, but they threw in a few covers including Rainbow’s “Street Of Dreams“, Danger Danger’s “Bang Bang” and Trixter’s “Give It to Me Good“.
Slaughter took their turn and hit the stage with “Mad About You”. Mark Slaughter was in fantastic form and the band were on fire. Dana Strum and Jeff Blando were joined by Evanesance drummer Will Hunt. Ending the set was a blazing rendition of “Up All Night” where the crowd joined in unison to bring it to a close.
In between sets we were given a small but fierce firework show.
Local Maryland favorites KIX finished the night off with their brand of good old fashioned hard drivin’ rock and roll.
The Iron Maidens
Kirsten Rosenberg (“Bruce Chickinson”) – lead vocals
Courtney Cox (“Adriana Smith”) – guitars, backing vocals
Nikki Stringfield (“Davina Murray”) – guitars, backing vocals
Wanda Ortiz (“Steph Harris”) – bass, backing vocals
Linda McDonald (“Nikki McBurrain”) – drums, backing vocals
Tokyo Motor Fist
Slaughter
Mark Slaughter – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jeff “Blando” Bland – lead guitar, backing vocals
Dana Strum – bass guitar, backing vocals
Will Hunt– drums, percussion
KIX
Steve Whiteman – lead vocals, harmonica
Brian “Damage” Forsythe – guitar, guitar synthesize
Ronnie “10/10” Younkins – guitar, talkbox
Mark Schenker – bass, backing vocals
Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant – drums, percussion, effects, backing vocals
Related:
M3: Day 2 Coverage
M3: Day 3 Coverage
