Maryland

Baltimore: The Bel-Loc Diner is on the corner of Loch Raven Blvd, and Joppa Road and is a standard late night hang out for a very diverse group of people...it's a 1950's diner that never evolved out of the 50's. and so is still very hip...There are some batty old women there, but the food and atmosphere is great... -Tommy Gunn; Club Midnite- Surprisingly enough, I couldn't find the address to this either (ed- it's located at 2649 N Howard St.(corner of Howard and 26th), phone- (410)243-3535. Thanx Walt), but it is a nice homey club in north Baltimore (about 2 blocks north on Howard St. above North Ave. I believe) which has been putting on a lot of good ska shows lately. The Skatalites, the Skunks, Checkered Cabs, Skavoovie & the Epitones, and the Preschoolers have all played here. The sound is not very good, but the bands make up for it in effort and it is a lot of fun. The shows are almost always 18+, but ingenious young ones have gotten in before. (ed.- This is also the home of the Baltimore Soul Night, held the last Sunday of every month. Starts at approximately 9:30 PM). -Tommy Gunn; 8X10 Club- 10 E. Cross Street. This summer, the 8X10 put on a lot of really good ska shows, with MU330, The Toasters, Mephiskapheles, the Checkered Cabs, and the Preschoolers all appearing. It is a little small, but has a cool checkered floor, and the best sound man in the state. Unfortunately, this club is also 18+ and has gotten stricter over the summer. -Tommy Gunn; Fell's Point- This is a neighborhood about 5 blocks east the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and is centered around the south two blocks of S Broadway. It's a pretty diverse neighborhood which attracts a lot of punks and freaks too, and has a lot of cool shops too. Just go and sit around in the park in the center on a weekend. It's fun. -Tommy Gunn; The Loft- 1724 Frederick Ave in the city. This is the absolute best punk rock shithole in existance...it has to be. It's an abandoned warehouse where this guy Jules lives, and he lets the local anrchist collective put on shows there. The whole place is covered in graffitti and has a great d.i.y. atmosphere to it. Bands like Aus Rotten and Blanks 77 have played there a few times. -Tommy Gunn; Reptillian Records- 403 S. Broadway (they have a web page too). This place is the best punk rock record store in Baltimore. Loads and loads of Punk, Oi!, and some Ska too. Their label section puts out cool bands Attica 9, the Checkered Cabs, and the Preschoolers. Chris X is a funny guy, and you're bound to find something really cool there. -Tommy Gunn; Soundgarden- This is a pretty cool indie rock type store in Fell's Point. I don't know the exact address, but you can ask someone down there and they'll show you easily enough. This store tries to offer something for everyone, but they have a pretty cool indie rock selection. They have neat stuff like old Noise Addict (punk! ha) and Tuscadero, Blast Off Country Style, Sonic Youth. Be prepared to browse a lot, and don't forget to check out the 7"es. -Tommy Gunn; Stikky Fingers- Somewhere on the very, very south part of S. Broadway in Fells Point. This is just sort of a fashion area really. It is a great place to get boots, braces, flights, leather jackets, spikes and studs, bondage bracelets. Anything any young punk or skin would need. It is a little expensive though. -Tommy Gunn