Foggy May
December 7, 2019 @ 9:00 pm
Foggy May formed in the summer of 2010 in Westminster, MD. Foggy May is a rock n’ roll trio with David Klima on Vocals/Bass, Ben O’Brien on Guitar/Vocals, and Reed Rhoads on Drums/Vocals. Starting from the beginning, we made our debut performance at Pig Roast 2010. The set consisted of 5 cover songs and out first original tune, ‘Constipated Pig’. Many tunes and gigs later, we are still a rock n’ roll trio playing music for the people. In 2011, the band continued to write material and gig whenever we could. Shows in this year include performances at local clubs like the VFW, American Legion and Winfield Fire hall. We also hit the high school circuit and played at the Westminster High school and Manchester Valley High school talent shows. Foggy May are the two-time first place winners at the Manchester Valley Talent Show. This year gave us experience playing at a multitude of venues. We played at Applebee’s, the St. John’s Carnival and the Recher Theater.
2012 started with a recording session at Nonsuch Productions in Bowie, MD where we recorded our first four track E.P. This year brought us house shows, interviews, and a first place spot at the Rock for Liberty Battle of the Bands. This is about when we developed a comradery with other groups. Generating a local music scene was rewarding and fun! We played venues like Baltimore Soundstage, Jams Music Center, Benet Cerf Park, and even a Crab feast in 2012. In January of 2013, we competed in our second Rock for Liberty Battle of the Bands and won first place. We met plenty of cool people at these shows and it was great growing up around other local musicians where we supported each other and had friendly competition. After more writing, it was time to hit the studio. In April, we recorded our second four track E.P. at Blue Room Productions in Bethesda, MD. That compact disc was handed out at shows that year like Westminster Fall Fest, Brass Monkey Saloon, and Sportsman’s Hall Skating Rink. In March of 2014 we played at ‘Cool Schools Polar Bear Plunge’ at Sandy Point State Park. This was our biggest show at the time. We learned how to play in cold weather and entertain a large mass of folk. We continued to learn new cover songs to keep shows fresh for ourselves and the regular attendees. Of course we spent more time on songwriting and showcased our tunes at Fish Head Cantina, Ottobar, Greene Turtle, Shockwave Records, live on Classic Rock the Vault (internet Radio) and at our first Wedding. 2014 rounded out with a few recording sessions at Echoes Recording Studio in Sharpsburg, MD to make our first seven track L.P.
In January of 2015, the band released our first self-titled record. That same month we played our second Cool Schools Polar Bear Plunge which somehow topped the last. In addition to the house shows with our beloved fellow musicians, the group played at Gettysburg Rock’s Music Festival, Hauser Estate Winery, Carroll Arts Center, Main Street Music Fest in Ellicott City, and the Westminster Skate Park. We also hit the college circuit and performed at Carroll Community College, St. Mary’s College, and Frostburg University. 2015 was our first year playing at Launch Music Conference where we played two slots in the festival line-up. Of course we played Pig Roast for the sixth year in a row and played live on Irie Radio-98.1 FM in Ocean City, MD. The trek continued in January 2016 when we traveled south to Atlanta, Georgia to audition for America’s Got Talent. Although we were not selected to be on the show, it was interesting and informative to see the ‘behind the scenes’ action of the show.
In 2016, Foggy May played some wicked festivals like Launch, Artscape, Chasefest, and a Recovery Throw down in St. Mary’s County. We also played shows at St. Mary’s College and York College. Gigs this year included Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge in Annapolis, The Hard Rock Cafe’ in Baltimore, a Chili Cook Off in Gettysburg, a funeral in Westminster, and Connie’s Ric Rac in Philadelphia. This was the first year where the band had multiple shows in all 12 months. We kept busy in the studio as well where we began independently recording our second full length L.P, ‘Sal Paradise’.
2017 consisted of more home recording for the Sal Paradise record. In May, we competed in the Hard Rock Rising Battle of the Bands and made it to the 2nd round. Highlights this year included our fourth performance at the Cool Schools Polar Bear Plunge, a frat party at the University of Maryland, the Jersey Shore Fest in New Jersey, the H-Street Fest in D.C, and Bottom County Festival at St. Mary’s College where we paid tribute to the Red Hot Chili Peppers and performed with sox on our cox. As well as multiple local bars, house shows, and Baltimore clubs, Foggy May performed at Johnny’s Pizza and Pub in Ocean City, MD, the Barbary in Philadelphia, Shrine World Music Venue in New York City, and the Radio Bean in Burlington, Vermont.