Pat Sommers Rock Shop

The real Rocker, Pat Sommers, is alive and well and instructing up and coming rock stars in a small but lively old building in Vienna VA. Each Sunday kids from Lorton to Ashburn gather for one of two three hour sessions at the Soundry, an old automotive repair building now playing host to a variety of arts……including rock and roll. The Soundry’s mission is quite simple, “get artists out of their basements and into the community by providing affordable space and support.” You can read more on the Soundry and all it has to offer by clicking this link. Soundry.

This venue serves Pat and all his understudies quite well. Pat has been teaching music, vocal, and performance lessons for a decade here in Vienna. He recently embarked on his own and started the Pat Sommers’ Rock Shop. I swiped the following off his MySpace page.

“Pat’s rock credentials include touring with numerous bands (Jagged Steel, Cypress, Sticky) and recording with rock legends Ace Frehley (KISS) and Roger Daltrey (The Who). Pat’s work as a Rock-n-Roll hired gun led to his performing and writing with Frank Carillo (currently touring with John Hammond’s band), Ricky Byrd (formerly of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Jay Jay French (Twisted Sister), Elliot Easton (The Cars), Al Greenwood (Foreigner) and Ritchie Supa (co-writer of Aerosmith’s hit single “Chip Away at The Stone” and the 1 platinum success single “Amazing” from the Get A Grip LP). After leaving the music scene for a break to raise his son, he’s back and ready to rock with the intensity of a true ROCK N’ ROLL LEGEND!!! ” You can read more about him HERE.

What is most notable about Pat’s sessions are this. The kids adore him! He has an unmatched enthusiasm for bringing out the best in every student. My son is a student of his and looks forward to each and every session so that he may simply “get up and jam.” Pat teaches the kids stage presence and how to really appeal to the crowd. You must be ready to perform when joining his class.

Also, the venue could not be more ideal for a bunch of kids getting together on a Sunday afternoon to create music. There is always plenty of room to roam and observe. You can check out the artwork of others while you listen in, have a smoothy, or sit back and surf with free wi-fi. The folks at the Soundry are very accommodating. And….its conveniently located in the heart of Vienna right off the Washington and Old Dominion Bike Trail. I have to tell you, as an 80's rocker myself I thoroughly enjoy watching the kids play, listening to really good classic rock, shooting pictures and hanging out. My son doesn’t even mind Dad sticking around.

We all wish Pat the very best of luck in his new business. We also greatly appreciate Jennifer Crawford and the rest of her staff at the Soundry for creating such a nice place for kids (and all artists) to gather. Stop on in for a cup of jo and some rock and roll. Enjoy the pictures. - Daniel Glass Photograhpy

Jammin Java unleashes its ultimate contest once again in three days.
Band Battle

Courtesy Jammin Java.

The sixth Mid-Atlantic Band Battle is all set and ready to go. Four nights–Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12 next week–see seven bands each. Each night has a single winner who advances to the finals in February.

This is no arbitrary battle of the bands, with the audience voting on the winner. The crown doesn’t go to whichever band happened to bring the most friends. A judges panel presides over the spectacle. All of the judges have significant professional music credentials.

Take Pat Sommers, for instance. He worked with Roger Daltrey, Ace Frehley and many others for years, contributing vocals, guitar and anything else they needed on their albums. But lately he’s been a staple of the Northern Virginia music industry. He runs Pat Sommers Rock Shop, a workshop and launch pad for teenage bands to hone their skills.

And Sommers couldn’t be more excited to bring his years of experience to the table at the band battle.

“The talent that’s coming out of [Jammin Java] is second to none,” he says. “I expect to see a lot of great young bands. … I am super excited about what’s happening here in Northern Virginia. … I’ve noticed that we’re starting to get a music scene here that’s very New Yorkish–people do all different things. I do think that we’re gonna see something come out of here that’s gonna be … really special.”

Other judges include music journalists, venue managers and record company veterans. Full bios on each judge are on the Band Battle’s official site.

These shows are consistently sold out, so get tickets while you can. At the moment they’re still available, but don’t miss out on this chance to catch NoVA’s next big act.

But if you can’t make it, we’ll be there on the scene to give you the scoop. Stay tuned–next week, Northern Virginia’s going to be rocking like crazy!

–Matt Basheda - Northern Virginia Magazine