The 16th Annual 2025 M3 Rock Festival consisting of 18 bands over 3 days at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Colombia Maryland. A somewhat daunting but super exciting weekend for sure. A good chunk of the bands scheduled to perform, such as Slaughter, Winger and Lita Ford, were ones that I had previously seen and thoroughly enjoyed photographing and watching their performances. There were a few I had not heard of, and a few that I was very curious to see.
Day 1
Snake Oil (also known as Ikons of Rock)
Generally speaking, I am skeptical of cover bands. Dressing up and copying the moves of the bands they are covering seems like a cop out when it should be the music speaking. Snake Oil are definitely not the norm! They were not imitating the look and sound, they WERE the sound of the songs they were paying homage to. Sure, the male singer, Darren, dressed as Paul Stanley and Ozzy, while Christelle dressed as Ann Wilson from Heart, but I didn’t feel that was a distraction from the performance. Snake Oil were a welcome surprise that put on a great set.
Darren – vocals
Christelle – vocals
KK – guitar
Tim – drums
Darcy – bass
Setlist:
Detroit Rock City – KISS cover
Shout It Out Loud – KISS cover
Barracuda – Heart cover
Magic Man – Heart cover
Crazy on You – Heart cover
Crazy Train – Ozzy Osbourne cover
No More Tears – Ozzy Osbourne cover
All Fired Up – Rattling Sabres cover / (Pat Benatar version)
Heartbreaker – Jenny Darren cover /(Pat Benatar version)
Blink of an Eye – original
Vampire – original
Turn Up the Radio – Autograph cover
For more of Carol’s Snake Oil photos see the gallery here.
Sebastian Bach
I did not see Skid Row back in the day when Sebastian was the singer (1987 to 1996) and I was not impressed with the videos I had recently seen on social media, so I was very curious to see him live and have my own experience. Of the 16 songs performed 11 of those were from his Skid Row years, so songs I had heard on the radio and videos I saw on MTV, back when MTV played music. I can say that I went from skeptic to believer, to a degree. In my opinion Sebastian can still sing and has great stage presence. Can he hit the high notes? Not so much, but what aging rocker can? That aside, I enjoyed his performance and would seriously consider seeing him again if he swings by my neck of the woods.
Sebastian Bach – vocals
Brody DeRozie – guitar
Fede Delfino – Bass
Paris Bach – drums
Setlist:
What Do I Got to Lose?
Slave to the Grind – Skid Row song
Here I Am – Skid Row song
Big Guns – Skid Row song
Sweet Little Sister – Skid Row song
18 and Life – Skid Row song
Can’t Stand the Heartache – Skid Row song
Freedom
Piece of Me – Skid Row song
Future of Youth
Monkey Business – Skid Row song
I Remember You – Skid Row song
(Hold On) To the Dream
The Threat – Skid Row song
American Metalhead – PainmuseuM cover
Youth Gone Wild – Skid Row song
For more of Carol’s Sebastian Bach photos see the gallery here.
Day 2
Kill the Darkness – School of Rock Band
Although it is outstanding to see the young people out there learning about and performing music live, this band seems misplaced within the framework of M3. Both opening performances from this band on Saturday and Sunday were essentially what I would call screaming death metal in which I could not discern any actual lyrics. I cannot deny that there is some talent and even some stage presence, so in the right venue I think these young musicians could thrive.
Alex Magno – vocals
Robert Novak – guitar
Riley “Scott” Payne – bass
Riley Postma – drums
For more of Carol’s Kill the Darkness photos see the gallery here.
Red Voodoo
Hailing from Northern California and produced by Tesla’s Frank Hannon, Red Voodoo was a new band to me. And in all actuality, a new band to a lot of the people in attendance on Day 2. Not quite a full house since the early show attendances tend to be sparse, but an energetic crowd none-the-less. Lead singer Dino bounded on the stage in a bright red outfit and an energy I have not had since I was a teenager. The Red Voodoo sound was reminiscent of some of the older bands such as Van Halen, and yes Tesla, with a little bit of blues mixed in for good measure.
Dino Wild (aka McCord) – lead vocals
Davin Loiler – lead guitar
Andrew Edwards – bass
Richie Moreno – drums
Setlist:
Hourglass
Mystery Girl
K.S.A
All Night Long
Style
For more of Carol’s Red Voodoo photos see the gallery here.
Child’s Play
Baltimore area natives Child’s Play is a perennial favorite at M3, this was the third year in a row for them, and by the time they were about to hit the stage the seats were starting to fill up. The weather was warming and the sun started to appear as the band launched in to their first song. John Allen hit the vocals as hard as he would hit the drums later in the set. Former singer Larry Hinshaw made an appearance to cover the vocals on 3 songs as well as shared vocals with John on the last two songs of the set. Child’s Play knows how to rock the house!
John Allen – vocals/drums
Larry Hinshaw – vocals
Nicky Kay – lead guitar
Phil Wiser – bass guitar/backing vocals
Jason Heiser – drums
McCauley Kay – guitar
Setlist:
Good Ol’ Rock and Roll – John Allen on vocals
Long Way – John Allen on vocals
When Hell Freezes Over – John Allen on vocals
I Can’t Believe – John Allen on vocals
My Bottle – John Allen on vocals
L.H. Blues – Larry Hinshaw on vocals
Damned If I Do – Larry Hinshaw on vocals
Rat Race – Larry Hinshaw on vocals
Wind – Larry Hinshaw and John Allen on vocals
Day After Night – Larry Hinshaw and John Allen on vocals
For more of Carol’s Child’s Play photos see the gallery here.
Steven Adler
When is a band a cover band or not a cover band? If there is an original member in the band that is performing the set, is it a cover band? Both could be debated, but although I had seen Steven Adler’s band previously, this time was a bit different. Performing all Guns and Roses songs, opening with Nightrain, the crowd was on their feet singing along, including this girl, who never really got into Guns and Roses, but with Ari Kamin on vocals, coupled with his stage presence, I was all ears!
Steven Adler – drums
Michael Thomas – lead guitar
Alistair James – rhythm guitar
Ari Kamin – vocals
Setlist:
Nightrain – Guns N’ Roses Song
Mr. Brownstone – Guns N’ Roses Song
It’s So Easy – Guns N’ Roses Song
Good to Be Bad – Adler song
You Could Be Mine – Guns N’ Roses Song
Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses Song
Rocket Queen – Guns N’ Roses Song
Welcome to the Jungle – Guns N’ Roses Song
Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses Song
For more of Carol’s Steven Adler photos see the gallery here.
Slaughter
In all the times I have seen Slaughter, they never disappoint. One of the many bands I always looked forward to whether it is on the Monsters of Rock Cruise, M3, or a venue near me, I jump at the chance to go see the boys. As with any band that has been around for ‘a bit’ I am amazed that these guys can keep doing what they do, from Marks vocals to Dana’s energy on stage. Jeff Blando has the best guitar poses anyone could wish to photograph along with the vocal ability and guitar prowess, and not to mention the dynamo behind the drum kit, Jordan. I am lucky to have been able to get a few decent pictures of Jordan, when he slows down enough for my camera to catch up. Slaughter are simply, in my opinion, one of the best and that was evident again this year at M3.
Mark Slaughter – vocals
Jeff Blando – guitar
Dana Strum – bass
Jordan Cannata – drums
Setlist:
Mad About You
Burnin’ Bridges
Spend My Life
Unknown Destination
Eye to Eye
Days Gone By
Real Love
Fly to the Angels
Up All Night – With “Won’t Get Fooled Again” for the ending
For more of Carol’s Slaughter photos see the gallery here.
Winger
I could just copy/past what I wrote above for Slaughter, but that would be unfair. Winger are another favorite who never just phone in a performance. I have been lucky to see Winger in multiple venues over the years and to have been able to photograph the band at their best. But every show with them has been their best and nothing less. With rumors swirling that Winger may be retiring from the road, I am super happy that I was able to see them perform at M3 this year, and with the all original lineup no less. No disrespect to Howie Simon, occasional fill-in for John Roth, but there is something extra special about quite possibly my last time at a Winger show with all members of the band.
Kip Winger – vocals / bass
Reb Beach – lead guitar
John Roth – guitar
Rod Morgenstein – drums
Setlist:
Stick the Knife In and Twist
Seventeen
Can’t Get Enuff
Down Incognito
Miles Away
Rainbow in the Rose
Guitar Solo
Time to Surrender
Headed for a Heartbreak
Easy Come Easy Go
Madalaine
For more of Carol’s Winger photos see the gallery here.
Accept
In my mind, the first truly hard-hitting set of the day, Accept definitely does not fall in to the ‘hair band’ genre of music. Hailing from Germany, this Heavy Metal Band puts the “Heavy” in Metal. Every guy in the band seemed to be thoroughly enjoying performing for the crowd with their hard and heavy beats, to which the crowd enthusiastically responded in turn.
Mark Tornillo – vocals
Wolf Hoffman – guitar
Philip Shouse – guitar
Martin Motnik – bass
Uwe Lulis – guitar
Chris Williams – drums
Setlist:
The Reckoning
Humanoid
Restless and Wild
Straight Up Jack
Midnight Mover
Demon’s Night / Starlight / Losers and Winners / Flash Rockin’ Man
Princess of the Dawn
Metal Heart
Teutonic Terror
Fast as a Shark
Balls to the Wall
For more of Carol’s Accept photos see the gallery here.
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth was one of the performances that I was very curious to see. Who could resist the curiosity that is “Diamond Dave”? As a casual fan of Van Halen, having seen the exuberant videos of the past decades and acknowledging the stage presence that David had, I had some, but not much, in the way of visuals with which to measure this performance. We all were witness to David fresh out of retirement after 5 years. Some in the audience and online did not enjoy the performance and were very critical, but I have to say, I thought he did a good job! No one escapes getting older and the changes that come with it. Surrounding yourself with other accomplished musician and vocalists seems to be the way to go for DLR.
David Lee Roth – lead vocals
Al Estrada – lead guitar
Ryan Wheeler – bass
Francis Valentino – drums
Danny Wagner – keyboards
Setlist:
Panama – Van Halen Song
Drop Dead Legs – Van Halen Song
You Really Got Me – The Kinks cover
Unchained – Van Halen Song
Dance the Night Away – Van Halen Song
Runnin’ With the Devil – Van Halen Song
Mean Street – Van Halen Song
Atomic Punk – Van Halen Song
And the Cradle Will Rock… – Van Halen Song
Jamie’s Cryin’ – Van Halen Song
I’m the One – Van Halen Song
Everybody Wants Some!! – Van Halen Song
Romeo Delight – Van Halen Song
Hot for Teacher – Van Halen Song
Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love – Van Halen Song
Jump – Van Halen Song
For more of Carol’s David Lee Roth photos see the gallery here.
Day 3
Spread Eagle
Hard Rock band Spread Eagle hit the stage early in the day as the concertgoers were just starting to enter the pavilion after a long second day of music, and possibly a long night partying. Which is a shame, because these guys and their self-proclaimed ‘street metal’ sound from NYC rocked the pavilion pretty hard. They are currently touring in promotion of their 35th anniversary of their debut album so go catch them if you can.
Ray West – vocals
Rik DeLuca – drums
Rob DeLuca – bass
Jommy Puledda – guitar
Setlist:
Subway to the Stars
Sound of Speed
Devil’s Road
Back on the Bitch
Switchblade Serenade
Broken City
For more of Carol’s Spread Eagle photos see the gallery here.
Vixen
One of the 80’s most visible all female bands, Vixen is a welcome addition to any cruise or festival as far as I am concerned. One can never go wrong with women who rock. Rosa Laricchiuta, being the latest member to join the band, joins original member Roxy Petrucci on stage as a vocal powerhouse. All the ladies put on a great performance, and better yet, seem to have a great time doing so. But one cannot mention the rocking ladies of Vixen without also mentioning keyboard player and vocalist Tyson Leslie. Tyson is known on the Monsters of Rock cruise as the guy who performs with everyone along with his own band called ‘Rare Hare’ jamming with any/all musicians that will show up.
Rosa Laricchiuta – vocals
Roxy Petrucci- drums
Britt Lightning – guitar
Julia Lage – bass
Setlist:
Foxy Lady (Intro)
Rev It Up
Charmed Life
How Much Love
Cruisin’
Cryin’
Hard 16
Hell Raisers
I Want You to Rock Me
Streets in Paradise
You Oughta Know By Now
Edge of a Broken Heart
For more of Carol’s Vixen photos see the gallery here.
Lita Ford
Ah, Lita Ford, the queen of Rock! Original member of the Runaways with Cheri Currie and Joan Jett, Lita has been rocking the stage since the 70’s with their notable hit “Cherry Bomb” which she performed during her set this year. Age has not seemed to affect Lita in the least as far as her vocals are concerned, especially evident with guitarist Patrick Kennison joining her on “Close My Eyes Forever”, her hit with Ozzy Osbourne. Simply put Lita ROCKS!
Lita Ford – vocals
Patrick Kennison – guitar
Bobby Rock – drums
Marten Andersson – bass
Setlist:
Gotta Let Go
Larger Than Life
Relentless
The Bitch Is Back
Playin’ With Fire
Can’t Catch Me
Cherry Bomb
Only Women Bleed
Close My Eyes Forever
Kiss Me Deadly
For more of Carol’s Lita Ford photos see the gallery here.
Great White
With Brett Carlisle on vocals, Great White is not a band you want to miss when they play a festival. Before his passing, I had not had the experience of seeing Jack White perform, and had not experienced Great White before the split other than videos on MTV back in the day. I can say that I have had the experience of seeing Great White with other singers, and they do not hold a candle to the powerful singing of Brett. The combination of rock and blues of this band is, I think, the perfect fit for his voice and his energy.
Brett Carlisle – vocals
Mark Kendall – lead guitar
Michael Lardie – guitar and keyboard
Scott Snyder – bass
Audie Desbrow – drums
Setlist:
Desert Moon
Lady Red Light
Stick It
House of Broken Love
Mista Bone
Gonna Getcha
Save Your Love
Rock Me
Once Bitten Twice Shy
For more of Carol’s Great White photos see the gallery here.
Warrant
For some reason that I cannot put my finger on, Warrant kind of fell flat for me this time around. I had seen them previously and totally rocked out to the songs, especially one of my favorites “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This time around, I felt like something was off, and as a non-musician I can only guess at what it was. Maybe more screechy vocals? Maybe the mix drowning out the vocals? I can and do appreciate the effort it takes to get up there and perform, and appear to enjoy it, for that I give the guys 5 stars. But sonically something was different.
Robert Mason – vocals
Erik Turner – guitarist
Jerry Dixon – bass
Steven Sweet – drums
James Kloeppel – keyboards
Setlist:
“We Will Rock You” (Queen) – Intro
Down Boys
So Damn Pretty (Should Be Against the Law)
Bed of Roses
You’re the Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised
I Saw Red
Big Talk
Blind Faith
32 Pennies
Sometimes She Cries
D.R.F.S.R.
Heaven
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Cherry Pie
For more of Carol’s Warrant photos see the gallery here.
Ace Frehley
O, boy, where to start with this one. As far as Kiss were concerned I was not a huge fan. Sure, I enjoyed the songs that were played on the radio and on MTV, but never felt compelled to go out and buy all the vinyls. That, coupled with the rumors of what Ace was like on the Monsters of Rock Cruise a few years back, I was not at all sure what to expect. The first thing I noticed was that Ace had to be helped out on to the stage and into his side stage ‘dressing room’ as he appeared to be wobbly. Was it his sunglasses or something else? The other band members seemed to be a bit concerned, or maybe I was reading too much into it. When he finally came out and they started to play, I thought it sounded pretty good, although he looked like he might wobble off the front of the stage a few times. I could have done without the seemingly endless and chaotic guitar solo, which finally ended with the smoking lighted guitar. All in all, I completely enjoyed watching Jeremy Asbrock and Ryan Cook on stage as I felt they had more stage presence then Ace did and appeared to actually be enjoying what they were doing.
Ace Frehley – vocals
Jeremy Asbrock – guitar
Ryan Cook – bass
Scot Coogan – drums
Setlist:
Shock Me
Deuce
Rocket Ride
Rock Soldiers
Love Gun
How Many More Times
Rip It Out
Detroit Rock City
She
Hotter Than Hell
New York Groove
Cold Gin
Ace Frehley Guitar Solo
Rock and Roll All Nite
For more of Carol’s Ace Frehley photos see the gallery here.
Pearcy / DeMartini
Stephen Pearcy’s performance at last year’s M3 was stellar. Not a fan of Ratt, but I enjoyed listening and watching Pearcy as he sang those songs. It was upbeat and top notch. This year not so much. Prior to M3, I had heard the hype of Stephen Pearcy and Warren DiMartini playing together again after a 7 year absence, and was expecting this year’s show to be as good, or better, than last year. No such luck. The pavilion was packed and everyone was on their feet bopping along to the tunes, but I was not. The performance seemed to be slowed down a tad, and again not being a musician I don’t know anything about timing. It just seemed as if I was listening through some invisible barrier that kept the sound waves from reaching me. Maybe I was tired, but the whole performance felt sluggish.
Stephen Pearcy – vocals
Warren DeMartini – guitar
Carlos Cavazo – guitar
Matt Thorne – bass
Blas Elias – drums
Setlist:
Wanted Man
I Want a Woman
Walking the Dog (Rufus Thomas cover)
In Your Direction
I’m Insane
Slip of the Lip
Never Use Love
Back for More
Givin’ Yourself Away
Nobody Rides for Free
Way Cool Jr.
Over the Edge
Lack of Communication
Lay It Down
You’re in Love
Body Talk
Round and Round
For more of Carol’s Stephen Pearcy and Warren DiMartini photos see the gallery here.
As a non-musician person who loves to capture what I see through my camera, I tend to ‘focus’ on the visuals as well as the sonic performances and stage presence of the performers. This festival has become one of my favorites. The variety of bands allows me to broaden my musical experience with bands that I have not heard previously. Of course, with the variety also comes the high and lows of the bunch. For me, the lows were Ace Frehley, although Ryan and Jeremy were the best part of that show, Warrant and Stephen Pearcy/Warren DiMartini, who unexpectedly fell flat. On the flip side, due to the vocals of Ari Kamin with Steven Adler’s band, I have a new appreciation for GnR songs, and might just have to go see Red Voodoo and Great White again if they come near me. I can’t wait for next year!
Until then…
Written by Carol Fisher.