Come to Tritone at 15th & South on Feb 23rd at 9pm for a concert to promote "Net Neutrality."

The event is sponsored by the Future of Music Coalition, PennPIRG, the Media and Democracy Coalition and other groups.

A bevy of woman-centric bands and DJs will play Tritone in support of "Rock The Net," Future of Music Coalition’s ongoing campaign for net neutrality. Appearing at the “Sugar Town” concert are Beretta 76, Victor Victor Band, KeN, Surgeon and DJ Chatty Cathy.

The Internet is an increasingly powerful tool for musicians, making the playing field more level for big record labels and the smallest bedroom recording artists. The Internet is also a critical tool for free speech and democracy, giving individuals the chance to communicate free of gatekeepers in mainstream media.

But some telecoms would like to charge content providers a fee for the faster loading of their sites. Those who couldn’t afford to — or didn’t want to — pay a toll would be relegated the slow lane. And telecom companies - like Comcast, AT&T and Verizon -- all blocked legal and legitimate speech over their networks in 2007. Net neutrality preserves everyone’s access to the varied, exciting and legal musical offerings online, and to a diversity of viewpoints and ideas.

When: Saturday, February 23 at 9 PM
Where: Tritone, 1508 South St. Philadelphia, PA
Admission: $7. 21+.

About the bands:
Beretta 76 is a hard-rocking act that has drawn comparisons to the Pretenders, Cheap Trick and the Ramones. Proud natives of South Philly, they embrace the rough ’n’ tumble sounds of early punk, but with strong pop hooks.

Victor Victor Band is a two-piece, guy-girl garage-flavored band that “recalls a more sinister White Stripes,” according to Philadelphia Weekly’s Doug Wallen.

Philly five-piece KeN has been kicking up garage-rawk dirt for more than a decade. This lady-powered band has a raw natural desire to kick some rock and roll ass. Influenced by waning moons, booze, the concept that music is math and the urban Philadelphia shadows, KeN has been described as an “estro-gin power collective” by PW scribe Joey Sweeney.

Surgeon (formerly Bumrunner) features the twitchy guitar of Lydia Giordano. The trio mixes the heavy paranoia of Black Sabbath with more modern influences like Tool and Arcade Fire.

DJ Chatty Cathy is an ambitious slacker, pop-culture freak, karaoke diva, saucy cowgirl, amateur photographer and mistress of air guitar. She’s also a DJ at various locations around Philadelphia.

About Rock the Net:

Rock the Net was established to increase musician awareness about the importance of net neutrality. Since its launch, over 750 bands and 155 independent labels have joined the campaign. More information can be found at http://www.futureofmusic.org/rockthenet/ and http://www.myspace.com/futureofmusiccoalition.

Rock the Net founding bands include:
R.E.M. • Pearl Jam • Ted Leo • Boots Riley • Death Cab for Cutie • OK Go • Bob Mould • Calexico • Kathleen Hanna • The Donnas • Jerry Harrison • John Doe • Les Claypool • Kronos Quartet • Jimmy Tamborello • Street to Nowhere • The Locust • Rogue Wave • Guster • State Radio • Matt Wertz • Griffin House • Matt Nathanson • The Wrens

About Future of Music Coalition
FMC is a national nonprofit education, research and advocacy organization that identifies, examines, interprets and translates the challenging issues at the intersection of music, law, technology and policy. FMC achieves this through continuous interaction with musicians and through collaborations with other creator/citizen groups.