MMRBQ Photos: Man Boobs, Spandex Suits and John Bolaris
On Saturday, thousands of people turned out at Camden’s Susquehanna Bank Center for the seventh annual MMRBQ, radio station WMMR’s celebration of rock-and-roll, beer…and beer. Musical guests included Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and Cheap Trick, among others, and WMMR’s top talent, including Pierre Robert and the Preston & Steve entourage, held down the fort. I decided to make the trip to see what all the fuss was about. Below, some observations.
John Bolaris Is Still In Philadelphia
Though he’s been threatening to vacate the Philadelphia area, everybody’s favorite weatherguy hasn’t left yet. Here he is backstage getting an unsolicited kiss from some doofus in a $10 Walmart hat. (Sorry, John).
Rain Was Only Cool at Woodstock
While Device blasted through some songs on stage, led by a guy with pretty wicked chin piercings, the lawn people began to fill in with their tarps, towels and ponchos and make the best of things. No doubt the 22-ounce cans of Miller Lite helped.
People Will Wait A Long Time In the Rain for (Almost) Free Cigarettes
The steady mid-afternoon showers did not deter smokers from standing in line outside for upwards of twenty minutes at the Marlboro Black Lounge, where $1 would get you a pack of Marlboro Black smokes, mints, and a pair of Ray Ban-like sunglasses. This devil horn-flashing gent is clearly enthused.
It’s Alice In Chains, Not Alice And Chains
I always thought that “Moves Like Jagger” was “Moves Like Cheddar” until I saw Maroon 5 live at Revel. Similarly, I was under the impression that Alice In Chains was actually Alice And Chains until someone corrected me backstage after I said “Alice And Chains” for probably the thousandth time. Lame, I know. Here, Philadelphia magazine contributor Richard Rys holds up an article he wrote about Alice In Chains in the current issue of Magnet magazine while the band is under all those bright lights being interviewed by WMMR DJ Pierre Robert.
The Folks from The Preston & Steve Show Will Sign Anything
Full-Body Spandex Suits Are Awesome
Father’s Day is coming. Just saying.
This Guy Makes Mean Barbecue
You can’t have an MMRBQ without great barbecue, right? Fortunately, WMMR brought in Chef Keith Taylor of the Best of Philly-winning Zachary’s BBQ in Norristown. Get the brisket.
Some People Are Really Happy to Meet the Preston & Steve Crew
Do You Let Your 5-Year-Old Listen to Preston & Steve?
All Music Venues Should Have Waitresses
If you’re going to overpay for your drinks, you certainly should not have to stand in line and wait for them. Susquehanna Bank Center understands this simple principle.
Backstage Antics Are Not What They Used to Be
If you think that there’s all kinds of sex, drugs and related debauchery going on backstage at your average rock concert these days, you’d be wrong, although it’s not like I was partying on the bands’ tour buses. The most exciting thing that I saw backstage was Cheap Trick guitarist Rick Nielsen brushing his teeth in the hallway. No hookers. No coke. Hell, we weren’t even allowed to hold beers in the vicinity of Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell, who has been sober for a long time. I’ll have to wait for the next Motley Crue visit for compromising cell phone videos, I guess.
And, Oh Yeah, Soundgarden Rocked
They brought a kid from the audience up on stage during this tune. Rock. And. Roll.
P.S. This Is What Happened After the MMRBQ
I could tell you who is wearing the dress and bear mask and singing Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” at 1:30 a.m. at HeadHouse with DJ Doctor Thunder, but that would take all the fun out of things, right?
[PHOTOS: Ryan W. Burns except karaoke photo courtesy Doctor Thunder]
