Promoted by I.M.P. Presents, the same folks who put on the Virgin Mobile Free Fest, this year’s two-day blowout is almost like folding back the time-space concert-tinuum to the early days of MTV when the aforementioned bands were always in the cable music channel’s heavy rotation. Of course, that was back when MTV actually played videos.

Set for Friday and Saturday May 13-14 at the Merriweather Pavilion in Columbia, Md., the flashback begins with the M3 “Kix-Off” party beginning at 7 p.m. Friday and featuring performances by Kix, Warrant, L.A. Guns and Jetboy.

The Saturday fun begins at high noon with a lineup featuring Whitesnake, Tesla, Lita Ford, Mr. Big, Slaughter, Great White, Danger Danger, Firehouse, Big Noize, Black and Blue, Hurtsmile, Faster Pussycat and Pretty Boy Floyd.

But don’t worry about all that talent crowding the stage and causing set delays. M3 Rock features two stages – Freak and Festival Village – to give everyone ample room and time to lay the thunder down.

Ticket sales begin with an insider’s presale where members of the M3 Rockers’ Forum armed with a special promo code can start buying ducats Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. EST. What’s that? You say you’re not a member? Then sign up right now at the festival’s website.

Discounted two-day packages go on sale Feb. 4 at 10 a.m. EST. Any remaining tickets will go up as single-day passes March 4 through Ticketfly.

For more information, including VIP passes, click here for M3RockFest.com.