Meet Philadelphia’s Own MACH22

Meet Philadelphia's own MACH22, MMR's Local Shots Artist of the Month.

The MACH22 sound is steeped in classic rock influences with ample amounts of bluesy rhythms, soulful delivery, and that intangible magic missing from so many of today's cookie cutter cut-and-paste knock-offs.

MACH22's rise is set to mach speed with no turning back. With killer riffs, bluesy rhythms and soulful delivery, the band's songs span the emotional spectrum, capturing that classic rock feel with a modern edge. It's no wonder rock icon Slash chose them Grand Prize Winner in Guitar Center's OnStage with Slash Contest.

They ve racked up some impressive credentials most notably opening for Guns N' Roses on the "Not in This Lifetime. Tour, Bon Jovi, both Kiss members Gene Simmons and Ace Freely, Steel Panther, Jake E Lee and the Red Dragon Cartel, Tom Keifer and Airborne.

They have also made their merk at such events as the Made in America Festival as well as repeat appearances at Rocklahoma playing with Kid Rock, Slayer, Flve Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Stained, Halestorm, Black Label Society and many, many more..

Founding member Lamont Caldwell is a versatile musical force. A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, he has spent years on the road as a saxophonist performing and touring with artists such as Kirk Franklin, Bilal, Kindred the Family Soul, The Dave Matthews Band, Beck, spent years touring with Jay-Z and has even toured with The Legendary Roots Crew of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon fame on saxophone, guitar, keyboard and vocals.

Sebastian LaBar son of legendary guitarist Jeff LaBar of Cinderella fame was personally trained by his father but soon set out on his own path and has gained respect as a guitarist and writer. His father would be proud to see him following in his footsteps also having played with Tantric, Rehab and currently playing on the road with Saliva.

Ric Haas plays guitar with more season than his age reveals bringing a virtual one, two punch in the guitar section. Ric holds a guitar credit on the track Believe off of Dee Snider's solo album We Are The Ones and has done sessions alongside prestige award winning producers such as David Ivory, Obie O'Brien, Phil Nicolo, Forest Glen Whitehead, Andy Kravitz, Craig White and David Gray.

Jaron Gulino grew up touring in thrash and death metal bands before fronting and releasing three records with the metal trio On Top. He has also filled in for Baltimore rockers Charm City Devils, performed with Tantric, Dellacoma and other notable acts such as Heaven's Edge and Lynch Mob.

Drummer Damian Montecarlo has opened for many of the bands he grew up listening to, such as Vince Neil, Ratt, Skid Row among other multi-platinum acts. Before joining MACH22, Damian fronted and played guitar in many bands, as well as self-producing three full-length albums and 2 EPs. He currently has over 250,000 streams on Spotify with his current original act, MonteCarlo.

With their debut release Sweet Talk Intervention and follow up recording Like My Chances, there is new music is in the works. Their live show is where its at, so catch them as they head to your city and hear the unmistakable sound, of MACH22

Hear MACH22's song, "Get Ready" here! It is absolutely incredible. This live performance at the Linc is fantastic to see. Listen all month on Wednesdays at 6pm to hear more tracks from this stellar group.

WMMR has always been a proud supporter of local music. It's been true since our experimental days in the ‘60s and ‘70s to “Street Beat” in the ‘80s and ‘90s . and since Jaxon launched Locals Shots back at the Grape Street Pub. The station has continued the commitment into 2023. 

Brent Porche has continued the Local Shots tradition in 2023 during his afternoon drive show on 93.3 WMMR from 3pm-7pm on weekdays. He spotlights local bands and artists from the Philadelphia area, helping the MMR listeners to discover great music.

The return of Local Shots in 2023 has included some excellent bands so far.

Philly’s own Velvet Rouge resumed the monthly tradition in March. The Good Mess continued the excitement for Brent and the station during the month of April as the Local Shots Artist of the Month.

Vixen77, the Local Shots Artist of the Month for September, even got the opportunity to be the opener for this year’s MMRBQ. The five-piece female band rocked the stage at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront for an event that everyone at MMR will never forget.

Brent will select one song from the Local Shots Artist of the Month to play on 93.3 WMMR every Wednesday evening at 6:30pm. Artists will also drop by our studio in Bala Cynwyd to hang out with Brent and the rest of the MMR jocks. Keep an ear for the best up-and-comers on the local music scene.

Local artists can also submit one song for the chance to become MMR’s Local Shots Artist of the Month. Visit Local Shots HQ for all additional info about your chance. Join the #LocalShots conversation on Twitter (X) and Instagram. 

MMR’s Local Shots with Brent Porche is presented each week by Family and Co. Jewelers.

Gina Costanzo appeared on The Voice in 2016 when she was only 17 years old. She is now the lead singer of Velvet Rouge, a band that released its debut EP Dark Hallways in October 2021 under their previous name Zo.

Members:
Gina Castanzo (Lead Singer)
Buddy Mazzenga (Drums)
Joe McEnany (Bass)
Andrew Amado (Guitar)

The Good Mess started out with no name, no producers, and no one listening to music played in a South Philly row home. They recorded Smoke Like Ghosts at Studio 4 in Conshohocken in 2015 and New History two years later. They released their self-titled EP in 2019 with a style influenced by Nirvana, the Stone Temple Pilots, and Queens of the Stone Age.

Members:
Tim Mellor (Vocals, Guitar)
Mario LaForgia (Bass, Vocals)
Josh Rovinsky (Guitar, Vocals)
Mike Skierski (Drums)

RW Hellborn and Matty Cobra formed Riverside Odds in 2014. Their fast and heavy punk-meets-blues riffs and energetic stage presence have helped them make a name for themselves in the Philadelphia area. They released Let The Mayhem Begin in 2015, V8 Wankers in 2016, Get Into It in 2019, and Punching Above Our Weight in 2020.

Members:
RW Hellborn (Vocals, Guitar)
Matty Cobra (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Andy Watts (Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals)
G. Patrick Poli (Bass, Backing Vocals)
Ginger Knight (Drums, Backing Vocals)

High Leaf is a stoner rock quartet from Philly. Members of the band have been collaborators for several years, but they officially got together in February 2022. They use a wide range of influence from the 1970s-1990s from bands like Tool, the Sword, Clutch to Corrosion of Conformity, and Queens of the Stone Age.

Members:
Patrick Fiore (Lead Guitar)
Corey Presner (Vocals/Guitar)
Brian Schmidt (Bass)
Dean Welsh (Drums)

Harmonies, scorching guitar work, and a solid rhythm section create something stellar for Nick Perri & The Underground Thieves. Their single “Feeling Good” from the band’s debut LP Sun Via hit #45 on the US rock radio charts in 2020. They’ve performed as headliners and supporting acts for the Struts, Blackberry Smoke, White Denim, and Rick Nielsen.

Members:
Nick Perri (Lead Vocals, Guitar)
Brian Weaver (Bass)
Justin DiFebbo (Keyboard)
Zil Fessler (Drums)

MonteCarlo plays a loud and captivating hard rock sound. They have opened for Guns N’ Roses and Bon Jovi and performed at the Rocklahoma Festival. Their distinct sound is a fusion of Velvet Revolver’s electrifying energy with the haunting melodies reminiscent of Alice In Chains.

Members:
Albert Lepore (Vocals)
Dan Parsels (Guitar, Vocals)
Ahmed Smith (Guitar, Vocals)
Damian MonteCarlo (Drums, Vocals)
Joe Mal (Bass)

Rock & Roll should be loud, aggressive, fun, and rebellious. That’s exactly what Vixen77 brings. The five-piece female band opened at MMRBQ 2023 at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion.

Members:
Samantha Joan (Vocals/Harmonica)
Sarah Novack (Drums)
Elizabeth (Guitar)
Jaz (Bass)
Caitlin (Guitar)

Dirty Brain has shared bills with high-profile bands like Foo Fighters, Shinedown, Robert Plant, and Limp Bizkit. The band has achieved a unique, polished and experimental hard rock sound, and they have become a growing favorite at 93.3 WMMR.

Members:
Will Schmidt (Vocalist/Songwriter)
Paul Buondonno (Drummer)
Ian Mackenzie (Keyboard)
Aidan Riess (Bass)
Mike Zajac (Guitar)

Ryan Wade is a solo front man from South Jersey who produces his own music. He can command the stage with a screaming presence.

Wade plans to release a solo album in 2024. He is also the lead singer of the popular cover band GoodMan Fiske.