This year marks two decades of Rock Off Main St. (ROM), a Natick event that provides performance opportunities to new musicians in a welcoming setting. The monthly show is the only one of its kind focused on fostering the talent of middle, high school and college-age musicians in the rock scene.
ROM is celebrating with a 20th Anniversary Show, a free, all-ages event that will be held on Sunday, Sept. 24, between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. at The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), located at 14 Summer St. It has garnered many local sponsors, including Music-Go-Round, Fair and Yeager Insurance Co., Zildjian Cymbals, and the Berklee College of Music Summer Programs.
From Natick
to Los Angeles
Over the years, many musicians have used ROM as a starting point on their way to regional tours, record deals, and more roles in the industry. This includes ROM creator Diane Young’s son, Neil Popkin, one of the first to take the stage at ROM with his high school band Herself.
“I remember ROM was the first show we had ever played, and we weren’t very good, but that didn’t matter,” Popkin recalled. “We were just excited to play live at a real club with a PA system and lights. It was a great place for our friends and family to come hang out and see what we were working so hard on in the basement after school.”
He went on to attend Berklee College of Music, and now lives in Los Angeles, where he performs with his new band, War Tapes. He has returned to Natick to play at ROM in the past, and will do so this September for the show.
“I will be performing a solo acoustic War Tapes set, both new and old songs. All the songs from our upcoming EP that is set to be released later this year on Make Records,” Popkin said. The band’s new music video, “Pale Blue Dot,” was released through BlackBook Media on Friday, July 28.
Furthering the Scene
Others have been inspired through ROM to enter supportive roles in the industry. Robert McCarthy is a father to five children who are all interested in rock, but he quickly realized it would be difficult to find places for them to play, since so many venues were too restrictive on underage performers, or not the right fit in terms of style.
“ROM opened the world for my kids, enabling them to be on a real stage, with professional sound and lights, learning the business of playing rock music, and exposing them to countless other artists in their same position - wanting to rock out but finding no outlets to do so,” McCarthy said.
Since discovering ROM, the family has grown significantly as musicians and in the bond they share. McCarthy’s eldest son now works as a sound technician for TCAN, and will be playing as a member of the band Company One.
“It empowered me to realize that it takes a bold spirit like Diane to open the opportunities for the young artists, because it won’t happen without it,” McCarthy continued.
“ROM inspired me to start Five By Two Records, my not-for-profit booking, recording, and promotions label that now helps young bands from all over New England find and secure gig opportunities, recording opportunities, new promotional ideas, and even jobs in the industry!”
More Details
The community is invited to celebrate the legacy and lasting impact of Rock Off Main St. at their September event. In addition to Neil Popkin and Company One, other acts include The Kapps, Left Hand Blue, Blindspot, Rising Nation and The Whatever, all local bands based in towns across Massachusetts.
To learn more about the show or The Center for Arts in Natick, visit www.natickarts.org/rock-main-street.
Issue Date:
September, 2017
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