I’m known for music in the greater Washington D.C. region, but originally started playing because of an all ages punk venue in my Appalachian home town and the aspirations it stirred that drove us all to the nearest music stores and practice space. Since then, I’ve always been passionate about supporting the local scene, whether on the stage, in a supportive roll, or in the audience. Like all shoe-string ventures, bands and small venues come and go. I’m really lucky to have played in the bands I have, and consider myself really fortunate to have gotten to play venues that helped define the scene. Don’t ever under estimate the magic of a live show.
Primarily, I play bass and sing. I really enjoy producing original material and working with unusual rock instrumentation. My preferred instrument is my 4 string Warwick fretless. I don’t read sheet music and haven’t had any formal training beyond some private lessons with bass tutors. Detailed below are two noteworthy bands I was most recently in, but I’ve also sat in with live hip hop, progressive urban americana, and various other styles and genres.
Triage
A three piece band, Triage focused around bass, drums, and saxophone. We reveled at the absence of guitar, and how that made our sound unique. As lead vocals and bassist I howled tales of heartache and motorcycle street races. Part jazz cafe, part DC punk, and Below is a link to a double live album of performances at the Tree House Lounge in Washington D.C. near Gallaudet University. The band’s sound spawned off a shared love for groups like Morphine, PJ Harvey, and Roxy Music. This band was overrun with education, as several members had master’s and greater in musical study. It was a great learning experience for me, and helped me develop new tools in songwriting. Some of my most cherished accomplishments were Triage playing the famed Ft. Reno music festival, or recording our three song demo at Que Studios in Falls Church. Walls covered in gold records will help you keep focus on a recording.
Triage: Two Nights in the Tree House
Crooks & Crows
Crooks & Crows was complete change of pace for me. A live progressive honky-tonk band in Washington D.C, I was their fourth bassist. After having shared a few bills with them previously, I jumped at the opportunity to join when asked. While a few members changed over time, the talent and friendship in this group was really amazing. I didn’t know much about country music in general but fell right in with these guys. Some of my bandmates were animal rescue agents, theater directors, one a retired neurosurgeon. The one of the great things about honky-tonk that I’ve found is, like punk, it’s rooted in in class struggle. The sound is different, but many times the message is exactly the same. This theme has always appealed to me.
There’s a handful of live videos available from shows at DC9 and Rock & Roll Hotel, and some real fancy SOFAR sounds videos as well. My favorite being the cartoon sing-a-long, but you be the judge.
Maybe We’ll Come to Our Senses
Sky Stage
In 2016 I worked with the Frederick Arts Council to open Sky Stage as an all ages punk venue. Originally this art installation in the shell of a pre-revolutionary war building had been earmarked for poetry, salsa dancing, and private weddings and events. I pitched the idea of an all ages venue to stimulate local music. We standardized $5 admission, I purchased a PA, booked the bands, and ran the live performances for the first two years. It was really important for me that it be part of support the local scene. I take a lot of pride in the success of that venue, which is still open today.