By Judy Wakefield
It's been a soggy month, making summer feel like it really isn't here. But summer arrived this week in spite of all the rain, and a local teen band will greet the season in true summer style as it performs beachside at Salisbury Beach.
"Kelly & The Cosmic Noise," a five-member youth band featuring 16-year-old lead singer Kelly McLaughlin of Andover, will perform live on a beachfront stage at the Sand & Sea Festival on Salisbury Beach this Saturday, June 27 at noon. The concert is free.
"We've been together since September and met at our music school (DeAngelis Studio Rock School in Haverhill) and it's been great," Kelly said.
The music school hooks up singers with instrument players and Kelly said her collaboration has really worked out well.
Band members are Tim Martin, 18, of Boxford on lead guitar; Jeremy Cohen, 16, of Beverly on bass guitar; Jason Scouras, 16, of Beverly on rhythm guitar; and Tyler Albano, 16, also from Beverly, on drums.
"In the beginning, it was nervewracking for me and I was very nervous," Kelly said. "But I've always wanted to be a singer and these guys are great."
The band's former lead singer went off to college and Kelly stepped in.
The band's playlist features songs done by Pink, No Doubt and Guns and Roses. It also performs rock tunes from the 1970s, Kelly said.
She gave rave reviews to her music school in Haverhill saying director Mike Angelis is well know for forming good bands.
"I definitely recommend the school to any teen out there who wants to be in a band. You would really enjoy it," she said.
Kelly's show is just one of several events happening at Salisbury Beach this weekend as the summer of 2009 arrives. Some other Saturday highlights for Andover residents heading to Salisbury include:
FIREWORKS, 10 p.m. A 25-minute display to be launched from a barge over the ocean, at Salisbury Beach Center, top of Broadway and Oceanfront South. Free.
SEA DOO CHAMPIONSHIPS, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Some of the nation's top watercraft racers do battle against each other while negotiating buoys, obstacles and pounding waves. Free.
PROFESSIONAL SURFING DEMO, 1 p.m.: Featuring Northeast regional champions and national surfing competitors. Ocean Front South, free.
PIZZA EATING CONTEST, 6 to 6:45 p.m. Register online or at the information booth on the day of the festival. Prizes to winners in each age category.
