BW&BK; has received the following recap of the M3 Rock Festival:

"On Saturday, May 30th, the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland played host to the M3 Rock Festival, an all day event featuring scores of popular hard rock bands. Two stages were rocking all day long featuring the likes of TWISTED SISTER, RATT, KIX, EXTREME, KEEL, SLAUGHTER, DOKKEN, LA GUNS, JANI LANE, JETBOY, Y&T;, GILBY CLARK, BULLETBOYS, STEEL PANTHER, CARMINE APPICE'S SLAMM and XYZ.

Thousands enjoyed the great weather and even greater music. Highlights included a rousing performance by Kix who clearly had home field advantage. Being from the Baltimore area, Kix t-shirts being worn by fans clearly outnumbered those of ay other band on the bill. The crowd at the main stage surged for Kix's perfomance and the band did not disappoint, clearly being energized by the intense fervor of the fans.

Other mainstage highlights included a rockin' performance from Ratt who went thoguh much of the band's early catalog. Noticeably absent was recent addition Carlos Cavazo who could not perform due to a prior commitment. In his stead was ex-Ratt member John Corabi who did a solid job filling in.

Twisted Sister closed the main stage with a loud, boisterous show, working the crowd into a frenzy. Dee Snider mugged confidently for the crowd, rapped about rock and roll debauchery and led the audience in several fist-pumping sing-alongs.

The side stage had its share of winer as well. Steel Panther generated excitement with their off-color stage banter and sizzling comedy metal tunes. A mix of real talent and brilliant stand-up comedy, the band brought to Maryland the hard charging and hysterical antics they have been delivering to sold-out crowds on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood for years as METALSKOOL.

A recently reunited Keel also turned in a knockout performance, celebrating their 25th anniversary by slamming through a long set of classice such as 'The Right To Rock', 'Somebody's Waiting' and 'Tears of Fire'.

Jetboy was a pleasant surprise as well. The band blew through their late-80s catalog and also featured new songs from an upcoming comeback album. Singer Mickey Finn was in rare form and their performance was one of the festival's most buzzed-about.

The bands were mostly accessible to the crowds all day with LA Guns and Warren DiMartini making themselves available for autograph signings, and others just wandering the festival grounds. Solo artist Steve Cone and members of STREETLIGHT CIRCUS (formerly DAVID SHAW & THE ROUND TRIP) were seen rocking in front of the stage and hanging with many artists backstage.

Event promoters said they hoped to make the festival an annual affair."