Feature / Music
MACRoCk 2008

Words: Cory • Posted pre-2010

Beginning in 1997 and becoming a staple of James Madison University and the surrounding community, MACRoCk is back after a year on hiatus. Having served as a stage for acts such as Fugazi, Converge, Sufjan Stevens, and countless other bands, MACRoCk has always served as a means of exposure for smaller acts and big name independent bands, combining grass roots ethics and a do-it-yourself work ethic. After spending a ten year relationship with James Madison University, unfortunate circumstances and a lack of funds forced the event to be canceled in 2007, with it's future in jeopardy. However, after cutting ties with the University, MACRoCk is alive, with the same grassroots spirit as before. Literally run by the kids for the kids, MACRoCk has certainly gone through a makeover, scaling back but still providing a two-day event full of local and national bands, panels, and a label exposition featuring over fifteen record labels. James Madison University student, MACRoCk volunteer, and Scene Point Blank staff writer Cory spoke with numerous bands about their expectations of playing the event.

 

Quick Links:

American Tourist | Antlers | The Catalyst | Cloak/Dagger | Furnace | Government Warning | Mild Winter | Police and Thieves | Punch You in the Face Big! | Savage Land

Related features

Hot Pennies

One Question Interviews • July 10, 2026

Trash (Hot Pennies) SPB: What venue is your favorite to play (and why)? Trash: This is a challenging question. We have a lot of great venues in the Phoenix area. My personal favorite has gotta be Chopper John's for its wily crowd and good times. There's always a great mix … Read more

Middle-Aged Queers

One Question Interviews • July 9, 2026

Fureigh (Middle-Aged Queers) SPB: What is a “greatest hit” that you wanted to include in the live set or album but the rest of the band shot down? Fureigh: We’ve received requests for “Pump Up the Jam” [by Technotronic], but the world’ll just have to wait. And “Keep On Livin”’ … Read more

Real McKenzies

One Question Interviews / What's That Noise? • July 8, 2026

Tell us about your bagpipes? Read more

Demos You Want To Check #4

Music / New Kids On The Block • July 7, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more

The Bellrays

Interviews • July 6, 2026

A Conversation with Lisa Kekaula (Vocals) and Bob Vennum (Guitar) of The Bellrays For over three decades, The Bellrays -- Riverside, California’s powerhouse duo of Lisa Kekaula and Bob Vennum -- have blurred the lines between punk, soul, garage rock, and rock ’n’ roll fury. Their music has always been … Read more

Related news

MACRoCk 2008 Initial Lineup

Posted in Shows on March 11, 2008

More from this section

Demos You Want To Check #4

Music / New Kids On The Block • July 7, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more

Demos You Want To Check #3

Music / New Kids On The Block • May 8, 2026

The musical landscape is ever changing. New genres are popping up, new hypes burst out of nowhere and die out and new bands present themselves to the world. How on earth are you expected to keep up, right? Well, it never hurts to help! So here we are, your humble … Read more

Guest List: War On Women

Music / The Set List • April 24, 2026

It feels like a lifetime ago when Mitt Romney referenced a "war on women" during the 2012 presidential cycle. A lot has changed, a lot has stayed the same -- but a new politically-charged band formed in the aftermath of that comment, calling themselves War On Women. Now, roughly 14 … Read more