Rockin’ and Riding

The scene looked like something out of a mother’s nightmare. There was blue hair, fast-paced punk music, loud drums and skateboarders flying through the air. 

Rockville skateboarders and music enthusiasts joined forces at the Rockville Skate Park on Tuesday night for Rockin’ the City, hosted by the City of Rockville. The concert featured local band Somewhat Superhero as the first act of the four-part weekly summer concert series.

The concert series is about “bringing together different types of art, skateboarding and music," said Jon McLaren, the city's community recreation manager. "[It’s about] riding together and sharing the experience.”

The event is in its second year, but this is the first time that it is being held at the skate park. 

Bringing the event to the skate park seemed like a natural progression, said Julie Farrell, an arts programs specialist with the city.

"We have a captive audience and there is beautiful mayhem," Farrell said of the skate park. "It seems to be a natural mix.” 

Beautiful mayhem might be the perfect way to describe the combination of skaters and rockers.

A skateboarder may look out of control in the air. The board is spinning, the arms are flailing, and just when you think it's all a cocktail for failure, they land back on the board and roll away cleanly. 

Punk music is similar in that respect. The different parts of Somewhat Superhero came together, each member adding intricacies and melodies to form one unified sound. 

“It was really cool to play with the skaters skating," said Somewhat Superhero front man Sam Elmore. "It feels like the punk thing to do.”

Rockin' the City continues on Tuesday with alternative rock band Trip 7s.  On July 5, grunge rock band The Gift comes to the park. The series concludes with Rockville hip-hop artist Riflex on July 19.