San Francisco has a strong tradition of great music and experienced music industry professionals,” says Condon. “This festival is for all of Northern California to celebrate the decades of world class rock and roll that continues year after year in spite of the industry’s ups and downs.”

This year heavy-hitting national acts including BMI's Smash Mouth (Interscope), Third Eye Blind (Elektra) and Stroke 9 (Cherry/Universal), as well as Papa Roach (DreamWorks) have stepped up to give Nadine’s Wild Weekend a nod of accreditation as sponsors. In fact, DreamWorks Records has seized the opportunity to place Papa Roach’s CD, lovehatetragedy, in the special Nadine’s Wild Weekend/LIVE 105/Tower Records sales display that will be up during the month of August.

"You have to support the home team,” said Patrick Jordan of DreamWorks. “Nadine’s Wild Weekend offers Papa Roach hometown fans the opportunity to feel that the band is there, supporting them, even though they are on the road with Eminem and Korn.”

Steve Harwell, front man for Smash Mouth adds: “The San Francisco Music scene rocks and so does Nadine’s Wild Weekend.”

Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind continues: "The San Francisco Bay Area is our creative home and the scene here has been under attack for years...We want bands, clubs, rehearsal spaces and a city full of freaks...Nadine's Wild Weekend is a good chance for the music scene’s survival."

Condon has a lot to be optimistic about. This year’s event received double the number of entries submitted for possible showcase slots than last year. Additionally, Condon has set up a promotional program for bands to participate in that offers prominent CD placement in local Tower Record Stores, ad spots on LIVE 105, advertising exposure in the official Nadine’s Wild Weekend pull out program contained in the August 21 issue of the SF Weekly, and web site presence on three major radio station sites. All of this is supported by a full-force outreach to the national music industry on their behalf.

“It is more important than ever for artists to have as many business skills as possible,” says Condon. “That's why we have created a situation where bands can witness and/or participate in promotions that mirror a major label release. Bands are making the music, so let’s give them the tools to sell their music, and let’s make it fun while we do it.”

Along with showcasing the next crop of talented bands, Condon wants to stimulate the industry’s consciousness and remind them that there are a lot of talented business people in the Bay Area that contribute to the overall big music industry picture and keep its wheels turning even when the chips are down.

“San Francisco is a hotbed for music industry professionals who have made a choice to live here while maintaining an industry-wide presence,” says Condon. “One of the vehicles in which we present this information to the industry is through our 'tip sheets' that highlight our local crop of managers, producers, publicists, agents, sound designers and game developers in addition to the bands.”

It is Condon’s belief that giving back is part of the cycle of good business, and Nadine’s Wild Weekend is committed to the support of music-related charities. This year’s charity beneficiary is San Francisco-based Active Music, which will benefit from the sale of the commemorative “Nadine’s Wild Weekend 2002” compilation CD of Wild Weekend bands that will be sold at all of the clubs and at participating Tower Records' locations.

Active Music's mission is to use the power of music to raise sustainable funding, awareness, and activism for charitable causes and programs. Members of the Active Music team have successfully partnered with more than 100 artists to produce over 400 benefit events attended by more than 1.5 million people, generating 15 million media impressions and raising millions of dollars for the nonprofit community. In 2001, the team produced three benefit events that raised over $1.3 million for nonprofit organizations.

About Nadine’s Wild Weekend
The first Nadine's Wild Weekend (NWW) was in 7 clubs with 70 bands over 2 1/2 days. The second NWW bumped up to 10 clubs with 100 bands over 3 days and included the opening night bash at the Fillmore starring Stroke 9, just as they were releasing their hit single, "Little Black Backpack." Last year, the event featured 135 bands in 30 shows in 20 clubs over 4 days, and the closing show featured Jason Newsted's first post-Metallica project, Echobrain.

About Nadine Condon
Nadine Condon started working in the Bay Area music industry in 1977. Over 20 years later, she continues to be instrumental in the success of some of today's hottest acts, yet remains committed to new and developing talent. Producing BMI showcases throughout the 90's, she featured bands like the Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind and Train before they were known. She has continued that legacy with Nadine’s Wild Weekend, her signature event. Besides serving as executive director of NWW, she is a band mentor and counselor, author and speaker.

Now in its fourth year, NWW, the Bay Area’s biggest music event devoted to promoting unsigned talent, will expand its scope to include acts from all of Northern California, not just the Bay Area, and add "Nadine's Wild Night" preview shows. These multi-band showcases will take place in the late spring and early summer in Sacramento, San Jose, and Modesto in advance of the August main event. Bands that apply for the Wild Weekend will automatically be considered for these Wild Night shows.

Music submissions from regional bands residing from Monterey to Chico, Modesto to San Jose, Sacramento to Tahoe and all of the Bay Area are being accepted March 6 through June 15, 2002. To be considered for a spot during the August Weekend and for the Wild Night showcases, all bands must apply online at NadinesWildWeekend.com.

As a long-time supporter of local music, Nadine started these events because she wanted to "put the 'We' back in Weekend." Her philosophy supports musical inclusiveness, diversity, originality and inspiration. "I believe in regional activities and making a statement about hometown talent," said Condon. "We have lots of superstar bands in this area, who all started out the same way - playing in clubs to fans. This event has proven to be continually popular year after year and I think it is because it's a group effort, to present, highlight and showcase the best and most deserving music around."

As in previous years, NWW 2002 will showcase over 100 of the best of Northern California’s homegrown musical talent over four nights in various venues across San Francisco. Additionally, Nadine will pick a charity that will be the beneficiary from the CD sales of the NWW compilation CD. This charity will be announced in the near future.

Bands seeking showcase submissions must go to NadinesWildWeekend.com and go to the "apply" section where there are detailed instructions. For more information on band submissions, contact Jocelyn Kane at (415) 255-2155. For more information on Nadine’s Wild Weekend, interviews and all other media inquiries, contact Caroline Rustigian at (415) 332-3324.

About Nadine’s Wild Weekend
The first Nadine's Wild Weekend (NWW) was in 7 clubs with 70 bands over 2 1/2 days. The second NWW bumped up to 10 clubs with 100 bands over 3 days and included the opening night bash at the Fillmore starring Stroke 9, just as they were releasing their hit single, "Little Black Backpack." Last year the event featured 135 in 30 shows in 20 clubs over 4 days, and the closing show featured Jason Newsted's first post-Metallica project, EchoBrain.

About Nadine Condon
Nadine Condon started working in the Bay Area music industry in 1977. Over 20 years later, she continues to be instrumental in the success of some of today's hottest acts, yet remains committed to new and developing talent. Producing BMI showcases throughout the 90's, she showcased bands like Counting Crows, Third Eye Blind and Train before they were known. She has continued that legacy with Nadine’s Wild Weekend, her signature event. Besides serving as executive director of NWW, she is a band mentor and counselor, author and speaker.

Condon's showcases have become known in the music industry as "the" event to find talented unsigned acts in the San Francisco Bay Area. NWW launches with a showcase of formerly unsigned artists that have participated in past Weekends who have gone on to land major label deals. The last Wild Weekend featured band was Stroke 9, who has gone on to sell a million albums. Similarly, almost every Bay Area band signed to a major label is charting right now, from Train to Smash Mouth to CAKE, which reflects the continued strength of the Bay Area music scene.

“The bands playing the Fillmore represent the next wave in this history of success, and the bands in the clubs are the wave after,” says Condon. “I am confident that the talent playing NWW will be heard on the radio and seen on MTV in the near future.”

Despite last year's rehearsal hall closings, and the downturn in dot.com activity, Condon believes the local music scene is as viable now as ever. "Most bands I know continued to write new songs and rehearse together during last year's upheaval. That persistence has paid off now. Additionally, the appearance of new clubs like the Pound, The Voodoo Lounge, Broadway Studios and Kimos, as well as the expanded booking of the Justice League and renovation of the DNA Lounge, shows a renewed interest in live music,” remarks Condon

This year's Fillmore lineup includes Spike 1000, The K.G.B. and Vegas DeMilo, with teen sensation The Moss Brothers in the opening slot.

Spike 1000, long time San Francisco favorites who will close the Fillmore show, has recently concluded the national "Pain & Suffering" tour. Their Columbia/Portrait debut Waste of Skin will be released in the fall, and the Fillmore show serves as their official homecoming.

Oakland's The K.G.B., signed to Dreamworks by label president Michael Ostin, debuts September 18 with a self-titled album produced by famed drummer Michael Urbano (now with Smash Mouth). They were recently featured in the Tom Green movie Road Trip and opened for Third Eye Blind on several amphitheater dates. Vegas DeMilo's (Pinch Hit Records) mix of samples, loops, keyboards, and fuzzed out guitars has made them one of the leaders in San Francisco's "Rocktronica" underground. Their new album, Motel California, will be out August 14. Billboard’s “Continental Drift” calls this band's previous release a "sterling recording that's on the verge of a national breakthrough."

Opening up the show is The Moss Brothers - who have been taken under the wing of former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted. Moss Brothers are 12-year-old vocalist Ruben Moss and his 15-year-old brother Evan Moss on drums. Their latest album Electricitation features Newsted on bass and has already landed radio airplay including regularly played tracks on KFOG and Alice radio stations. The Moss Brothers will be featured next month on MTV's "Who Knows The Band" game show. Additionally, Ruben is the youngest musician ever to be endorsed by Fender guitars. The Moss Brothers will feature 14-year-old Kyle Wilson on bass for the band's NWW showcase.

Friday's show highlights include: Industry buzz bands VIV and Triple7 with a full contingent of rockers at the Paradise Lounge; Latin rock sensation Orixa, with Lean and Moodstack at the Justice League; roots and alt/country with Mover at Broadway Studios; alternative darlings Persephone's Bees and Glitter Mini 9 at Tongue and Groove, with stunning teen sisters Kelly and Kamille opening early; an all ages show at the Pound; electronica and DJs from Stray Records at 111 Minna; and internet favorite Beth Waters at the Hotel Utah. Other participating clubs are: 330 Ritch Street; Canvas Cafe; Dolores Park Cafe; Edinburgh Castle; Kimo's; Last Day Saloon the Red Devil Lounge and the Voodoo Lounge.

Saturday's show highlights include: San Francisco rock legends the Mermen headlining the Justice League featuring Prairie Prince on drums; a daytime punk blowout at the Pound with Adeline Records band Fetish, plus Stunt Monkey and 7 others; rock goddess Storm Inc., headlining the Pound evening show; Bandsummit showcase at the Tongue and Groove; afternoon and evening shows at the Voodoo Lounge, including Vagabond Lovers (formerly the Naked Barbies); glam rock at the Paradise Lounge, and a typically eclectic line up at Bruno's. Other participating clubs are: Canvas Cafe; Hotel Utah; Kimo's; Last Day Saloon, Red Devil Lounge; and the Tempest.

Sunday closes Nadine’s Wild Weekend with the laconically hip Future Farmer's showcase at the afternoon BBQ at the Bottom of the Hill and closing party at the DNA.

In addition to celebrating Bay Area music, and in keeping with Condon’s philosophy of community service, NWW will benefit the SIBL Project (Songs Inspired By Literature), which funds 26 Bay Area adult literacy programs through songwriting efforts. A special compilation of NWW bands will be for sale at all venues to benefit SIBL.

About Nadine's Wild Weekend
Founded in 1998 by Nadine Condon -- San Francisco’s "Godmother of Rock" -- Nadine's Wild Weekend is Northern California's favorite event devoted exclusively to local music, the community and creativity in all its forms. Nadine, born in Louisville, KY, started working in the Bay Area music industry in 1978, and soon started working for the Jefferson Starship. Over 20 years later, Nadine has been instrumental in the successes of some of today's hottest acts. With 14 gold and platinum records to her credit, she has helped shape the careers from a variety of artists including current chart popsters Stroke 9, Train, Third Eye Blind and Smash Mouth, to career superstars like Melissa Etheridge, Travis Tritt and the Jefferson Starship.

BMI Winners:
Outstanding Group - Rage Against the Machine
Outstanding Album - Supernatural, Santana
Outstanding Single - "Smooth," Santana featuring Rob Thomas
Outstanding Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album - The Battle of Los Angeles, Rage Against The Machine
Outstanding Rock/Pop album - Astro Lounge, Smash Mouth
Outstanding R&B Album - Bitter, Me'Shell Ndegeocello
Outstanding Debut Album - Nasty Little Thoughts, Stroke 9
Outstanding Male Vocalist - Steve Harwell, Smash Mouth
Outstanding Guitarist - Tom Morello, Rage Against the Machine
Outstanding Bassist - Flea, Red Hot Chili Peppers
Outstanding Songwriters - Stephan Jenkins and Kevin Cadogan, Third Eye Blind
Artist of the Year - Rage Against the Machine
Arthur M. Sohcot Award for Public Service - Rage Against the Machine
Arthur M. Sohcot Award for Excellence - Michael Kamen

BMI's Barbara Cane and Tracie Verlinde greet and congratulate Smash Mouth on their two California Music Awards for Outstanding Rock/Pop Album and Outstanding Male Vocalist. Left to right: Smash Mouth's Greg Camp; BMI's Barbara Cane; Smash Mouth's Steve Harwell and Paul De Lisle; and BMI's Tracie Verlinde.		Feature (11/99) Smash Mouth: California in a Can Web Site SmashMouth.com
BMI's Barbara Cane, Nadine Condon and Tracie Verlinde join in the celebration with Stroke 9 after they won the Outstanding Debut Album at the California Music Awards. Left to right: BMI's Tracie Verlinde; Stroke 9's Eric Stock, Greg Gueldner and John McDermott; BMI's Barbara Cane and Nadine Condon; and Stroke 9's Luke Esterkyn.		On the Scene (12/99) Stroke 9 Web Site Stroke9.com
Shown congratulating Me'Shell Ndegeocello (center) on her Tower Records California Music Award for Outstanding R&B Album are BMI's Barbara Cane and Tracie Verlinde.		Feature (10/99) Me'Shell Ndegeocello: "Bitter" is a Sweet Success Web Site Meshell.com
Congratulating Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine for his Outstanding Guitarist award and Rage's five California Music Awards are (l to r): BMI's Tracie Verlinde; Morello; BMI's Hanna Bolte and Barbara Cane. Photos by Billy Douglas		On the Scene (10/99) Rage Against the Machine Web Site RATM.com

Stroke 9 - the name is borrowed from T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” - originally formed while its members were high-school classmates. That longstanding rapport is evident on the band’s major-label debut (on Cherry/Universal) Nasty Little Thoughts, whose infectious, radio-friendly songs combine punchy aggression with pop craftsmanship.

Singer/guitarist Esterkyn, guitarist John McDermott and bassist Greg Gueldner actually formed the band as a senior class project while attending high school in California’s Marin County, recording a six-song demo as the equivalent of an aural term paper. Drummer Eric Stock completed the lineup two years ago.

After releasing two CDs, Boy Meets Girl and Bumper to Bumper on their own, the industrious combo took the bold step of booking its own two-month tour of North America. Traveling in a converted ambulance, they alternated low-paying club gigs with impromptu appearances in local malls, selling their CDs by inducing teen shoppers to check out the merchandise on the band’s Discman. The band later got a career boost when it was chosen to appear on-screen in Ron Howard’s EdTV.

Nasty Little Thoughts - which teams the band with a pair of respected producers, Jerry Harrison and Rupert Hine - has been well-received thus far, with many observers tipping Stroke 9 for major success.

“It could be the start of something great,” observes bassist Gueldner. “Or we could be sitting back someday saying ‘Remember when we got on the radio?’ “