Meet Bridgeport’s Own Stud Wiser

Meet Bridgeport's own Stud Wiser, MMR's Local Shots Artist of the Month for April 2025.

Stud Wiser was formed in 2022 in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, after members of other bands in the Philadelphia music scene shared experiences writing and playing together over the years.

The group features Nick Malfara and Chris Swanson on guitar, David Adler on drums, and Matt Grace on vocals.

The band pours their shared experiences and influences into a familiar rock, punk, and alternative sound while creatively developing their distinct presence.

Their first song, The Depot, immediately gained the attention of the local establishment, after which the song was named and sparked a wave of live music opportunities for themselves and others playing in the local scene.

Since then, they have headlined numerous live shows in the area and have supported artists from the rising UK rock act The Amazons to heavy metal mainstays Anvil.

The band found success in their latest release, “Who Do You Love?” and is actively working on their next single to come later in 2025.

Hear Stud Wiser’s song, “Killcam Montage” here. It is absolutely incredible. And listen all month on Wednesdays at 6 pm to hear more tracks from this stellar artist.

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.