Broadneck Teens in Summer Band Showcase

When you're a teenager in a band, finding a venue other than your garage can be tough. The Rock of All Ages summer concert series at The Whiskey has provided that location for talented musicians who happen to be under the age of 21.

Three years ago, Broadneck students and alumni Nick Looft, Austin Brown, and Robbie Cichielo decided to get together and form a band. They played the BHS talent show without a singer, and Capstone was born. Eventually, they added a singer, Jeff Walter.

Walter, a 2011 graduate of The Key School, is a classically trained vocalist who has participated in programs at Peabody Institute, as well as operas.

The result for the band: a hard-rocking, high-energy rock group that showcases Walter's strong voice, Looft on lead guitar, Cichielo on bass, and Brown on percussion. Their set list includes songs by cover bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, 311, and the Ramones, original songs, and a cowbell solo by Brown. 

Capstone performed in "Rock of All Ages" on July 10, and will play The Whiskey again on August 7, which will be their last show of the summer. After that, the future of the band is uncertain. Although all the band members have career aspirations in music, their varied college careers could make that difficult, at least for now.

Another Broadneck band that will be performing that same August 7 show is local favorite Yesterday's Escape, which features BHS graduates Colin and Cameron Rowe, Christian Larsen, Sammy Niazi, and Emily Shaffer. This will be the popular band's last performance before the band members scatter to different colleges in the fall.

A recently formed band featuring BHS graduates Cody Gritz, Adam Weiss, and Chris Redmon will be making their first appearance also in the August 7th show.

Promoter Danny Mays feels that it is important for up-and-coming musicians to have a professional venue where their mostly underage fans can support them. He convinced Mike Hearne, owner of The Whiskey, that his bar could provide that venue in a win-win situation --income for the band and the bar, and a safe environment for under 21's to see their favorite bands.

Security is a priority for Mays at these shows, and he encourages parents to reassure themselves by coming out and seeing the bands, as many do. Mays, a member of the band Gold Mind Squad for twelve years, is also the marketing manager for the Anne Arundel County Battle of the Bands. He sees this venue as a "non-competitive" event for all types of musicians and performers to experience what it's like to play for a paying crowd.

According to Mays, promoting shows for young people is enjoyable, but "very specific," and he has become skilled at it because he has "made all the mistakes."

Mays plans to continue the series into the fall. Young bands interested in performing should contact him on Facebook.