L.A.C.E. by L.A.C.E. Magazine

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On the cover: Tri Bell was photographed by Donoven Kelley. It’s our goal at L.A.C.E. Magazine to spotlight all types of artists. The cover of our magazine will be shot by a different photographer every issue. Donoven Kelley is a dear friend of ours and his work is amazing. His work is very “High Fashion”. We can not wait to get this photographer interviewed, he has a very deep soul and we can’t wait to see what is next for him. Thank you Donoven for the amazing photographs of Tri and thank you for being you! -Chris www.yougotlaced.com// 3

$9.95

NOVEMBER 2010 | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1.1 Chris Jennings Racheal Spence Editors: Elena Olson Kara Soule Proofreaders Sheila Fant Angela Harl Design Chris Jennings Publisher Ken Rochon Printer Vince Sharps (Graphic Press)

Photography Contributors Racheal Spence Chris Jennings Donoven Kelley Debbie Fitch Kristina DeSantis Angela Norbet Glenwood Jackson Jac&Jules Photography Writers Racheal Spence Chris Jennings Kara Soule Special Thanks New Evolution Graphics Justine Love (CBS Radio) Perfect Publishing Nations Photo Lab L.A.C.E. Magazine would also like to extend a very special thank you to Ken Rochon and the Perfect Venture team! Thank you so much for your support. L.A.C.E. Magazine LLC 速2010 ADVERTISING ads@yougotlaced.com

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LETTERS TO US info@yougotlaced.com

Y TRI BELL B D E T N I A P D R A O LONG B

Founders

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owns and operates the DJ Company Absolute Entertainment. He has started a new social networking site called The Perfect Networker (www. perfectnetworker.com). He has a publishing company called Perfect Publishing, He has authored two books. He has received awards on his networking skills. He is a foreign language student. Above all of this he is a Good Fella. If there is someone you need to know, Ken is that guy that will get you to that person.

Vince Sharps, Brian Jarosinski, and A.J. Ali collect donations at Rock the Pier.

On September 23rd Pier V in Baltimore was host to one top shelf party. A.J. Ali and six other self-starting do-gooders have been working together to launch a new reality series being produced right here in Baltimore. Seven men make up the Good Fellas of Baltimore, A.J. “The Coach” Ali, Brad “Young Gun” Bergersen, Ken “The Kennector” Rochon, Brain “B-Money” Jarosinski, Vince “Cutty” Sharps, William “The Saint” Peach, and Steven DeCastro as the “Godfather”. Together they are taking on the professional world by encouraging people to give back in a big way. Rock the Pier was a way for them to announce themselves and raise money for Living Classrooms. They raised a lot of money that night with ticket sales alone. The event became a who’s who of the Mid Atlantic which included Ravens football players and Harlem Globetrotter Choo Smith. As the night started, I met all seven of the Good Fellas and I was very curious about how they got involved in this project. Every one of them seemed to be driven for this common purpose. They all just want to contribute to the local community. Vince Sharps (Cutty) says this is a project that hits home for him. Their first project for the series is helping a large family that had lost most of their home to a massive fire. Vince is focused; he is the owner of a local commercial printing company called Graphic Press. He is also a founding member of Baltimore Business networking. Talking with him, he is all about business. His look was very polished and his voice is very commanding. He is one of my favorites; he printed this magazine. He believes in this project and I honestly believe that. “We are going to change lives one at a time and eventually change the country and hopefully the world.” Brian Jarosinski, a former baseball player and model, is a financial planner at Gateway Capital Financial. Brian is a young guy that is very motivated about this project. At Rock the Pier he had a personal goal to raise some cash for Living Classrooms. After taking the microphone and announcing his goals in front of everyone, people came through and the results far exceeded his original goal. This guy is a great speaker and can make a room stand up and pay attention. At 26 years old Brad Bergersen is the real “Young Gun” of the group. Talking with him you would not realize that he is only in his mid 20s. Between his voice and his attitude towards business in life your first guess would be that he is at least 30 something. He has it all figured out. He owns 24K National, a company that buys old gold jewelry and provides cash on the spot. His company has the highest payouts in Maryland. His long term goal is to start a jewelry line. He is a man with a heart of gold. His role with the Good Fellas is crucial because he is someone that will deliver. Brad is a salesman, and a damn good one! The next fella is a very important piece to the L.A.C.E. Magazine Empire, he is the reason you’re reading this right now. Ken Rochon A.K.A. “The Kennector” is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. He L.A.C.E. // 8

“Peches” or William Peach is no ordinary realtor. This Fella is purely Good. He sees a goal and he goes for it with out stopping until it’s done. His full commitment to the Good Fellas project helps get things done. During their events you will find him walking around mingling and listening to everyone. If he senses an opportunity to help someone he will. Trust me, when you decide to buy or sell your home make sure you call William, he will get the job done and it will be done right! The “Godfather” of the group is the suave and jovial Steve DeCastro. Steve is the proud owner of five Ruth Chris restaurants in the area and the owner of the classy cigar bar The Havana Club. Orginally from Cuba, he came to America and met his mentor, the founder of Ruth Chris Steakhouse, and the rest is history. Steve brings strong commitment and wisdom to the Good Fella round table. “I am a member of Good Fellas of Baltimore and what you can count on me for is my Commitment to Integrity, Community and Family.”- Steve DeCastro “The Good Fellas website”. The brains behind it all of this is A.J. Ali. A.J. A.K.A. “The Coach” created this show as a social movement for change. His inspiration came from his wife Jane who is a cancer survivor. He started a non-profit called Marathon of Miracles (MOM) which raises money for cancer research. (From the website: “Marathon of Miracles is a Christian cancer outreach and wellness organization offering hope for the mind, body and spirit by inspiring, educating and empowering survivors and others that wish to thrive.” ) From that he created a line of all natural snacks. You can find them at Costco and at Whole Foods. He is a driven individual that wants nothing more than to see real change in the community. “The Good Fellas of Baltimore is not the solution but a catalyst for change.” That night at Pier V I met some amazing people. A DJ from Philly, the owner of Pizzazz, and an artist that turns old war planes into furniture. The amount of talented and motivated people there was a bit overwhelming. There were so many good stories there. We cannot wait to share each any every one of them with our readers. As for the Good Fellas, make sure you tune in to Fox 45 in February. To find out more about the Good Fellas and to see there events check them out on Facebook and their website www. goodfellasofbaltimore. com.

Willis McGahee, Baltimore Raven and Founder of the Willis McGahee Foundation, struts down the runway modeling Inc Clothing.

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aturday September, 18th WHFS hosted their 18th HFStival. The very popular yearly event hasn’t taken place since 2006. This year the concert returned with only one main stage and one local stage. The main stage performances were all headliners in past shows.

that we received press credentials for and to be that close to an icon like Billy Idol was an experience we will never forget. He still has it. His set was energizing and fans of all ages rocked out to his timeless hits. There aren’t enough words to describe that experience, it was truly memorable.

The local stage boomed with some of the hottest local acts in town. The acts included Lionize from Silver Spring. Their sound is a great mix of reggae and rock. You can catch them on tour with CKY this year. Jah Works drew a big crowd to the local stage. They are an amazing reggae band. You can catch them all over the state, from Frederick to Ocean City. Super Bob, one of our favorite bands, took the stage for an amazing high energy show. Every time you see them perform you are in for a treat. Other acts included RPM, Middle Distance Runner, Honor by August, Fools and Horses, and of course Jimmie’s Chicken Shack.

The concert was amazing, the weather was perfect. There were lots of venders there. We stopped by the WPGC booth and played their version of the board game Perfection. Racheal Spence (Co-Owner of L.A.C.E.) won a nifty shopping bag from them. One of our many memorable moments from that day was our stop at the Mystic Piercing booth. After chatting with them a bit, Racheal decided to get an orbital piercing in her left ear. “An “orbital piercing” is a combination of two ear piercings connected by one piece of jewelry (Not to be mistaken for an industrial piercing, the piercings go though the front of the ear, and not the sides.), generally in the area by one’s cartilage. After it heals up one can put in a captive bead ring, and it looks like an illusion of one’s “ear orbiting”.” (Quoted from Wikipedia.) You can find out more about Mystic Piercing on their website: http://mysticpiercing.com/ . To see Racheal get her piercing check out our Youtube page: http://www.youtube.com/ user/YouGotLaced.

Adam Smith of Super Bob

Eric Vincent of Jah Works

Steve Stevens

The main stage featured Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Everclear, Naughty by Nature, Ed Kowalczyk, The Presidents of the United States of America, Fuel, Lit, Marcy Playground, Funk Mnkyz. Everyone of these bands played an amazing set, but there was something special about Billy Idol. This was our first major event

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Roy & Bella Wilkinson Take The Club Scene to a New Level By: Chris Jennings

ella and Roy Wilkenson are some of Baltimore’s hottest club promoters! Bellezza Promotions is behind some of the most creative parties thrown in the gay and lesbian community. Both Roy and Bella are gay, and can often be seen in the lovely gayberhood of Mount Vernon. The promotion company started about two years ago, and every event gets bigger and bigger.

Something Bellezza’s founders are proud of is their ability to market their parties to both gay men and women. With the addition of a new venue where they are hosting a monthly party called “Escape,” they’ll bring a whole new crowd to the night club The Get Down.

The first party they hosted at The Get Down was a fundraiser for Equality Maryland in order to raise money to fund their Teen Outreach ProBella started promoting Club Hippo’s gram. The timing was just right. The party “Ladies Tea” on the first Sunday of fell on the 20th of October, a national day each month about four years ago. of remembrance for the multiple teens She has since built a following that that had recently taken their own lives will pack any club. Her brother, Roy, because of bullying. The party was exceljoined in last year with the promotion lent! A silent auction, donation buckets, and of their most successful party to date. purple spirit bracelets made this event a success. The best thing about this party was the diThe theme was Alice in Wonderland, Tim Burton style. On February 27th, a night that would usually versity of the crowd. The support was overwhelming. find the club full of ladies, Club Hippo was transformed into Wonderland. Roy, dressed amazingly as the Madd There is so much more to come from these two. They Hatter, was one of the many people who were dressed both think BIG and they are just beginning. Look up and ready to party. “It was an amazing party! Peo- out for a huge event in February at Club Hippo. You ple are still talking about it.” Bella says. The Hippo was can check out their upcoming events on Facebook or packed with men and women all enjoying themselves. on their website http://www.bellezzaentertainment. com. Also follow them on twitter @bellezzapromo. www.yougotlaced.com// 13 www.yougotlaced.com// 13

Join Ravens QB Joe Flacco* Plus Thousands of Plungers at the Coolest event of the Winter!

Join Honorary Co-Chairs Joe Flacco-Ravens QB*, and Rosa Marcellino-SOMD athlete and the inspiration behind “Rosa’s Law”, plus thousands of other warm-hearted Plungers by taking a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay to support Special Olympics Maryland. For just $50 in pledges you’ll get a commemorative Plunge sweatshirt, a Plunge photo gift, and the refreshing feeling of having done a really cool thing for thousands of SOMD athletes. Plus, the more you raise, the more prizes you earn!

With 6 Zones of Frigid Fun It’s the Coolest Entertainment Venue on the Beach! FREE! And it’s all for

Come see a full day of awesome acts featuring DJ Pauly D! The Jersey Shore star will spin two sets in the Rams Head Ice Lodge. You can even buy a ticket to meet him at the Plunge! For details, visit www.plungemd.com

SATURDAY Don’t be left out of JANUARY 29 SA NDY PO IN T STA TE

t X-Games Adventure Ten best

Maryland's skate shops and their team riders will be on site doing demos! An open ride area for those who want to get in on the y'll also action will be available. The n in have Banshee Bungee as see ys! awa Jackass 3D and tons of give

the cold. JoinLIS us at the coolest event P ARK, AN NAPO *Scheduled to appear.

Chesapeake Bayhawks

Mickey Harris' Monster Garage

Arctic Lacrosse Experience:

Watch as renowned airbrush artist Mickey Harris along with Straight Line Autobody transform a 2011 Harley-Davidson Street Glide, donated by Harley Davidson of Annapolis, into a work of art!

• Player signings and demos • Top gear & exclusive discounts • Awesome giveaways • Youth programs from all over Maryland • Plus, the MLL will be on site to document the entire experience!

• Maryland’s largest sand sculpture • Astro Events Family Fun Zone • Great food and drinks • Vendors & Crafters • Entertainment like ArtCars, caricature artists and roving performers

Women's Spa Experience Tent Enjoy a tent full of relaxation offering various spa treatments, skin and surgical consultations and much, much more. For details, visit plungemd.com!

For all the latest Plunge info, visit www.plungemd.com or call 410-789-6677 ext. 503 L.A.C.E. // 14

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hat time is it? It’s 10:37, and we think they are here to stay. Katie Tran and John McGrath are the founders of this amazing start up company. John is an aspiring clothing designer and Katie is the business person of the pair. Together they work hard to promote themselves and bring a new flavor to Baltimore.

10:37 started in June of 2010. Even though their goal is to release their own line of clothing, they have started by selling some popular brands from the west coast. The brands include Sullen and Upper Playground. These guys are fresh in the game, and they are charging through like bulls. Only two months after starting their business, they were able to put on a fashion show at Artscape this year. Even though they were a last minute fit, they pulled it off without a hitch. That show was what attracted us to them. The line of shirts they carry is something you would expect to see here in Baltimore, but it’s no where to be found. Sullen, their most predominate brand, is an underground sensation across the US. The problem is, here in Baltimore, they can’t be found. The shirt design style is tattoo and graffiti art. I own one, and you should, too. John, 31, has always had a dream of owning a clothing store. After getting laid off from his job in June, he decided to go for the dream. He took every dime he had in the bank, partnered up with Katie, and together they created 10:37. Like most companies, they’ve experienced a lot of growing pains. People have come and gone, and they fight like brother and sister, but all of that just makes them stronger. “I like the broad mix of people…We couldn’t [be] any more different!” –John McGrath on the diversity of 10:37. Katie, 20, is currently a student and Pre-K teacher L.A.C.E. // 16in Columbia. She and John have

“I like the broad mix of people…We couldn’t [be] any different!” –John McGrath on the diversity of 10:37 www.yougotlaced.com// 17

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been “friends forever.” She says she has always been business-minded and had a lot to offer 10:37. She is the deal maker. In late June, she had her tonsils taken out and while in recovery she made one of the biggest deals for their company. They got Sullen. Katie may be young, but she is a machine. She is a fighter. When talking to her, you can see the wheels turning. She has business on her mind always, and she is ready to go. “Our company is run off of friendship” – Katie Tran So why 10:37? Where on earth did that name come from? John tells us that they wanted to hold meetings at 10:00pm, but instead, everyone came late. Because of this, they started holding meetings at 10:37. Fate confirmed the significance of this number for them when they got a credit card on which the last four digits were 1037. To this day they text, call and meet each other at 10:37. It’s something they live and breathe. As of right now you can contact them through Facebook, and place an order through email. They are currently working on a web site where you can buy their shirts. You can also catch them at any of the upcoming L.A.C.E. events. We give them 100% support, and we know they will be around for a long, long time.

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bout six years ago, after working a night-shift on a Saturday, one of my co-workers asked me to join him at the bar for a drink and a little “wind down time.” Little did I know, there was no “winding down” with the crew we were meeting. We entered a small bar full of photographers enjoying themselves after a long night’s work. In time, I became friends with many of these people, but friends they come and go. Some of the people I met that night became more like family than friends, and one of the most interesting people I met was Tri Bell. “You’ll never meet anyone quite like Tri,” Sarah, his wife, tells us. I strongly agree.

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Some people are good at sports, others singing or dancing, painting or writing, or maybe even racing. Most people have some type of talent or ability that they excel in. Of all the individuals I’ve met throughout my life, Tri Bell is one of the most uniquely talented. He is a remarkable human being with a wonderful heart and talent that spans a variety of activities. Never have I met anyone with such a desire for art, and a passion for life. “It amazes me that all of those gifts, and all of that talent, can be inside of one person,” says Sarah. Tri Bell has experienced and experimented with everything from traveling and cooking to music and painting throughout his life. “If I’m not painting, I’m taking pictures. If I’m not taking pictures, I’m running down to the beach. If I’m not doing that, I’m going to a restaurant or in my kitchen,” Tri says. Growing up in Severn, Maryland, alongside his two sisters, Holly and Mandy, Tri tells us how he came from a strict, but very loving family. His father and grandfather were from Military backgrounds; however, “Mom was the enforcer,” he said. The things asked of him and his sisters were not that of an abnormal nature, but rather, just the usual things parents ask of their children: get good grades, be respectful, and come home when you are told. Tri could only describe his family to us as “a loving family…an incredible family.” Like any child, Tri got into his fair share of trouble growing up. Let’s face it: no one is perfect. One incident occurred while he was attending school. As is the case in most Catholic schools, Tri had to wear a uniform. This specific day, though, mesmerized by “puppy love,” he let a young lady whom he had a crush on cut his sweater vest. It ended up getting him in the dog house at school and at home. School wasn’t always bad for him. In fact, it’s where the interest in and talent for art all began. While in school, Tri submitted an interesting contest entry. Little did he know, his art consisting of a purple and pink unicorn….yes, a purple and pink unicorn.... would win him a $50 gift certificate. You may not automatically think of him as a unicorn, fantasy land kind of guy. However, if you really know Tri Bell, you know it’s not too far-fetched for his imagination. That was just the beginning; from www.yougotlaced.com// 21

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there he started drawing cartoons, and then experimenting with acrylics. Since then he has worked with almost every medium available to artists, including water colors, pastels, paint markers, and spray paint. “I like dabbling in all sorts of media,” he tells us. One of his first pieces was a replica of a painting produced by Robert Crum. When it comes to inspiration, or a muse if you will, Tri simple says …“I’m inspired by the sea.” Most artists, no matter the genre, have some kind of initial inspiration; something that struck their interest and got them started, or helped keep them focused along the way. For Tri, one such inspiration is the worldwide, renowned painter Vincent Van Gogh. His biggest fascination with Van Gogh’s work is the multiple layering styles the artist used with his oil paints. When viewing Tri’s work, you can see slight similarities in swirling technique, like those

in his Marsha Mellow painting. Back in 2005, while Tri and Sarah traveled to the Netherlands, for Jam in the Dam, a musical festival held in Amsterdam, he had the privilege of viewing original pieces in The Van Gogh Museum. Another inspiring artist Tri told us about was Drew Brophy from California. Tri came across Drew’s work a few years ago and ordered his introductory paint pens DVD. Then, like some of Drews’ paintings, Tri ordered a blank long-board skate deck from Blank Decks in California. Once it arrived, the designs were drawn, the paint was laid, and the rest was history. Tri uses bright, vivid, and dazzling colors to create trippy and psychedelic designs for pieces that are mind-blowing and exuberant once completed. He has created multiple long-boards including one for Dylan Kates from The LongFellow Project, and Rusty Owens from H&R Motors. Not only is this man an outstanding painter, but his photography is out of this world. Tri, like many other photographers, started at a young age. He started by learning the ways of the trade in the darkroom at Old Mill High School in Millersville while he was in the 9th grade. He started by creating fake press passes, utilizing barcodes from boxes of macaroni and cheese and cans of soup. Believe it or not, sometimes it actually worked in his favor. Nowadays, Tri prefers live action photography, such as sporting events or musical acts. Recently, he photographed an annual Triathlon that was held in Dewey Beach, Delaware. “It was amazing. I had never had the opportunity to photograph a sporting event like that, and those guys have big hearts. They get out there and get it done,” Tri told us. “That’s my photography, everyday stuff.” It’s rare that you’ll find Tri Bell on the opposite end of the camera unless he’s goofing off. However, Donovan Kelley of Moksha Ltd., who is responsible for our cover photograph and a few other images with Tri, gave me a little insight on what it was like photographing another artist. “I was a little nervous photographing Tri because I know how I am when I’m being photographed. I showed him my ideas and research, and he was excited. www.yougotlaced.com// 23

His excitement made me relax, so I took charge and we quickly got great results,” Donovan said. Did I mention Tri is also an amazing experimental chef as well? This man can truly do a bit of everything. Have you ever heard of “Turkey Balls?” If not, here is an idea you might have to engage in after this year’s Thanksgiving dinner. Quite a few years ago, Tri, along with his wife Sarah, started a “Black Friday” tradition. This was a tradition that didn’t include shopping, but was more like Thanksgiving part two. Each year, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, the two would invite their secondary “phamily” and close friends over to enjoy each other’s company. I can say from personal experience that it is always an amazing night filled with games, stories, beer, amazing culinary creations, and live music because the guitar, bongos, maracas and other instruments are always brought out for some great one-of-a-kind jam sessions. Turkey balls just happened to spring up one year, and stuck every year after. The procedure is simple. Ingredients include leftovers from the day prior. In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, corn, or whatever else you would like. Mix it all together with your hands, and then roll it into individual balls a bit larger than a standard meatball. Finally, cover them in flour, let them sit for a bit, then deep fry each Turkey ball until golden brown. Don’t eat it just yet, for a true Turkey ball is not complete until you dip it in gravy and devour. Tri currently enjoys experimenting with Asian-Hawaiian fusion, and finds most of his more exotic and foreign ingredients at H-Mart, which carries a cornucopia of foods and spices from nations all over the world. One of the interests I personally share with Tri Bell is a love for traveling: going to different lands, and experiencing different cultures, ways of life, and customs. There is so much to learn and see, but Tri definitely has me beat having been all around the country and having collected multiple stamps in his passport. “In my early days of traveling, I wish I would have paid a little bit more attention,” he says, informing me that there is so much more to do, see ,and experience while traveling than just “going scuba diving, and then drinking the night away.” He has learned this lesson, and many more, alongside Sarah during their explorations in the past few years. Whether it was going across the country touring with Phish or The Grateful Dead, backpacking in Jamaica, or one of their numerous trips to Europe, Tri illuminated the amount L.A.C.E. // 24

of beauty and detail that he and his wife have seen along the way. These experiences led him to view the sights and lay of the land somewhat differently than he used to, allowing him to capture the magnificence and essence of the world in as many great images as he can. With so many excursions, we had to ask Tri which expedition has been his favorite thus far. Jamaica was the preferred, he told us. For this particular adventure, Tri and Sarah unquestionably chose to take the alternate route, not staying in one of the resorts that most vacationers would have stayed in. Where’s the excitement in that? Instead, the two landed in Kingston, Jamaica, and from there backpacked their way up the Eastern seaboard. During their travels, they met some of the most incredible individuals and amazing locals who provided them with a once in a lifetime voyage. I asked Tri what the most enjoyable part of the trip was, and his response was as follows, “Meeting, hanging with, and sharing the true Jamaican experience. Reach Falls with the Rastas, sleeping in a hut, a few of which were made by David Borely at Great Huts, and surfing at Boston Bay. Oh, and all the friendly folks at the jerk stalls and surrounding area. Big ups to Charlie, Fabian, Tristan, and all the locals!” Throughout the years, much of Tri’s traveling was touring with some of his favorite bands, starting with The Grateful Dead, and later following Phish to many of their shows. Sarah later joined him in following The String Cheese Incident. The idea for AKP was thought up and discussed along the way. What is AKP? AKYNDPLACE. If you haven’t already guessed that Tri Bell is kind of a hippie, you’re a bit

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“Ingredients include leftovers from the day prior. In a bowl, combine mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, corn, or whatever else you would like. Mix it all together with your hands, and then roll it into individual balls a bit larger than a standard meatball. Finally, cover them in flour, let them sit for a bit, then deep fry each Turkey ball until golden brown.”

late. AKYNDPLACE, as described by Tri himself, was “the brainchild of the wife and I.” The original notion was to create a store, a tiny shop where those who could not go on tour or make it to a show could still purchase band merchandise. However, as is often the case with great artists, nothing ever remains minuscule. From that small idea sprung photography of all genres, artwork, and more ideas that keep this dream alive and on the road to something great. “One of Tri’s ideas with AKP was to make a company that produced art in every form of media. It may have started with a love for photography, but has expanded into painting, animation, design, sculpture, web pages, jewelry, even culinary arts! It’s been an absolutely rewarding experience to contribute and be a part of the AKP vision,” says Tim Conner, who is a third part of AKP. I for one can’t wait to see what is next for the life of AKP, and what one-of-a-kind works may come out of this multifaceted “brainchild.” “Tri is truly one of a kind. He gives 100% to anything and everything he commits himself to. From his photography, painting, L.A.C.E. // 26

drawing, or even cooking, Tri is a highly creative and innovative artist. I am continuously impressed and awed by the work he produces. I’ve never met someone who has such raw, natural talent. Tri continues to grow as an artist and constantly pushes himself to find new and compelling ways to share his vision through art.” Beautifully put by his wife, Sarah.◄

Photo by: Photography by Alexander

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recently had the pleasure of meeting with Debbie Fitch after seeing and admiring her work on Facebook. I learned about her and her beautiful, artistic talent with a camera when I saw a photograph that she had taken of two friends of mine. I really liked the photo, and as I always do when I am intrigued by photography or art, I dove deeper into finding out who this photographer was. Immediately, I was curious about her. She is a part of the true Baltimore biker community and an amazing artist. When we finally met, after exchanging messages with each other for over a month, she was everything I expected her to be, and more. Debbie is full of life; she has a passion for art and has now dedicated her life to the wonderful photography she produces. She works all day perfecting her photographs, which express her very unique points of view. As a teenager, Debbie found an outlet in photography. She had a small, inexpensive camera that she used to snap pictures of family, friends, and various things around the house. Her mother bought her a darkroom set that she found in the local Pennysaver. Debbie turned her small closet into a darkroom, and started using the set. She soon became even more enthralled by photography, and the journey to becoming the talented photographer she is today

was underway. Her high school career did not flourish as well as her photography did. Her grades were not good, and her teachers grew frustrated. The situation became pretty bad for her in school, and she faced expulsion. The classes that she showed the most interest in, as well as the ones she performed the best in, were her art classes. Her art teachers came to her rescue and convinced the school that Debbie had some serious talent, and not to kick her out. This was the motivation and support that she needed to keep pushing toward her dream of being a great photographer. She succeeded, and graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1994. Now, in her adult years, she always turns to a camera as an outlet. In addition to her love for and talent in photography, she is an avid biker. You can most likely find her hanging around Mobtown Cycle goofing off with the guys. Covered in tattoos, she is definitely her own person. Her style and poise are what make both her and her photographs stand out. She is an amazing person with a heart of gold. You can find her work at http://www.debbiefitchphotography. com, or you can look her up on Facebook. Her photographs will forever be a part of Baltimore culture.

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Photograph By Debbie Fitch

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how to make simple foods like caramel popcorn, Hippie Goo Balls, and Pita Bread Greek Pizza. The best part is that everything was paired with red Kool Aid. The painted toaster oven, string lights and the hookah in the background really set this show apart. The concept was great, but it was just the beginning for this young chef. After graduation from Eastern Shore he floated around. He played in a band, did some catering and also did some substitute teaching. As a substitute he learned the skills needed to become an effective culinary teacher. It was shortly after this he landed an amazing job as a personal chef to the owner of the Redskins, Dan Snyder. He realized during the year that he worked for Snyder that the glamorous life was not for him. He says, “We live the same, but my life is better.” The job lasted for exactly a year and he found Whole Foods. Here he is able to really explore his passion for teaching.

What’s Cookin with Chef Egg By: Chris Jennings This guy doesn’t just love to cook he loves to teach others. Chef Erik “Egg” Berlin, 30, from Baltimore has been cooking professionally since his freshman year of high school. A graduate of Oakland Mills High School in ’98 and University of Maryland Eastern Shore in ’02, he took the time to learn what he loves to do.

Photo source: Chef Egg

The new Demo Coordinator for the Whole Foods in Silver Spring has started to make videos again. He hosts cooking demos a few times a month using some of the areas best ingredients from Whole Foods. His time at Whole foods has opened up opportunities one can only dream of. He has cooked with Emeril and he has been to the White House. Whole Foods has also given him the freedom of designing his own schedule, that allows him time to work on his “big picture” projects. He has a slew of videos on YouTube, he is working on a book called “Egg Tales” and he started a company called Biologic Media. Biologic is multimedia production company that specializes in culinaryspecific niche content.

To see more of Chef Egg and to see the progress check out his videos on YouTube and on his website http://www.cookingwithegg.com. So much more to come from Egg! Vegan Chocolate Mousse: Cooking with Egg season 4

Where did the name “Egg” come from? It had been a childhood nickname. While doing cannon balls at the local pool as a kid, he was the smallest of all of his friends. They started calling him egg and it stuck. During high school he started cooking at Merriweather and the Columbia Inn. He found himself teaching his coworkers and friends how to make pizzas and interesting snacks. He took it a step further and enrolled in the HCAT program at Anne Arundel Community College. He transferred after high school to University of Maryland Eastern Shore where he graduated on time with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management. While putting in his hours at Eastern Shore he met some good friend and started a public access show called “Cooking with Egg”. The show, geared to the MTV generation, put a fun spin on cooking shows. He taught people L.A.C.E. // 32

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ounded in 2006 by Tim Sneed, Mobtown Cycle has quickly become a staple in the Baltimore community. Walking into the place immediately brings you back to the 1950s. The old school vibe and vintage equipment will make you feel like you’re in another world. Mobtown specializes in Harley Davidson repair and customization, but will work on or build anything requested. The shop hobby is restoring and customizing vintage cars. Their claim to fame in the Dundalk area is their yearly car show the Mobtown Greaseball. This year the event was held on September 25th at the Moose Lodge in Dundalk. The attendance this year was

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a “total success,” says Sean Murphy, a mechanic at Mobtown. There were over 400 cars shown and even more people in attendance. Mobtown Cycle donated a sizable portion of the profit to the ZOOmobile from the Baltimore Zoo. Don’t let the tattoos and leather fool you- these guys have hearts of gold. The shop area is filled with history. A wall is lined with vintage license plates, and some of the machines they use are from the 40s and 50s. According to Sean, “they all work great!” Behind the garage doors there are rows of motorcycles. It’s overwhelming! All of them are completely different from one another.

While hile at Mobtown, Mobtown I sat with Sean Murphy, who has been working there for 2 years. He told me everything there is to know about Mobtown. I asked why he chose to work there, and his reply was simple: “I was tired of getting ripped off !” Murphy, 26, is an avid biker who does burn-outs outside the shop doors for fun. “He is a great guy,” says Debbie Fitch. With his hair slicked back, and tattoos up his arm, he definitely looks the part. He joined the ranks at Mobtown after completing school with the Marine Corp.

For a young guy, guy you can see the maturity in his eyes, though he also clowns around and jokes with everyone. If you are looking for the perfect place to get your bike repaired, customized, or even a place to meet some great people, head out to Dundalk and Mobtown Cycle. They are located right off North Point Rd. Check out their website for details and hours: http://www.mobtowncycle. com.

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10 Questions with Playwright and Director Sheila Brown By: Racheal Spence Photo by: Masscreations Photos

Sheila Brown, playwright and theatrical director, just finished “You Married the Wrong Damn Man!”. The play was performed on Oct. 2nd at the University of Baltimore. The overwhelming turnout got our attention and we needed to know more!Artiae effre red pore L.A.C.E. Magazine: When did you start writing plays? Sheila Brown: I started writing my first play about 14 years ago. It all started out as a fun phrase I used to call my husband when I was upset with him for whatever reason. Ours kids were small at the time and I didn’t want to use profanity or any other harsh words that they would pick up so that’s how Mr Man Mr Dog came about. I always told him that one day I would write a play using that phrase and I did. LM: What is your favorite production and how has it inspired you with your own writing? SB: My favorite. Well, there are so many great productions out there, but if I have to choose one I would say it would be Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Tyler Perry. It has inspired me

my husband? Have I married the wrong damn man? I tell them “no I haven’t”. I’ve listened to my co-workers, family members, friends and even strangers complain about their marriages. I’ve compiled all that I heard and came up with some situations that others can relate to and maybe provide some insight on their relationships.

to take a chance on the unknown. I love to write but have no formal training. I don’t have any degrees or have taken any courses. I write from similar experiences that I see or hear.

LM: Are there any plays in the works?

LM: How many plays have you written, produce or acted in?

LM: What are some of the key elements you look for when casting? What do you look for in actor or actress auditioning for you?

SB: I have written, directed and produced 3 plays. I haven’t acted in any of my plays yet. I more so love to write than talk. I would say I’m a little shy and have serious stage fright. Once I’m over that then just maybe I will appear in one of my plays. LM: Where did you draw your inspiration for “You Married the wrong Damn Man”? SB: Oh my. That’s the million dollar question. People have asked me if this play about me and

SB: Actually yes. I’m currently writing my 4th play.

SB: When I’m casting, I’m looking for a serious and committed individual. They have to want to work hard and be part of a team. They have to be able to LOOK, LISTEN and LEARN. I’m looking to give that person who has always wanted to act a chance. There are a lot of actors in town with little or no experience. Those are the people that I want. Professionals are welcome too. They can help the others perfect their craft. (Continued on page 45)

Johnny B Photography By: Chris Jennings

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John Bidlack is one of the most talented photographers I have met. His wide range of photography attracts not only the straight laced conservative type but also the outcasts. Each portrait is a work of art. The images grab your attention and will spark curiosity. The questions I hear asked the most is “Where was that taken?”, “What is she wearing?” and “What is she holding?”. Bidlack (that’s what we call him) is a good friend of ours and I have had the privilege of working with him for a few years. He is an amazing person, We are sure you will love him as much as we do. Look out for a full article from this unique photographer. Check out his work at: www.johnnybphoto.net

Just Some Ran

dom Thoughts

n er, when your dow Human Horsepow ve y sometimes you gi and out low and dr de si in die. That thing up, sometime you rd to suppress will all of us we try so ha y unrest (human see you through an n quitting is not an horsepower). Whe it some of us use it. option all of us have its ck it all, either way Take a chance or fu , Throw in the towel e. us t us m u yo gy ener it and use the world or rev up your spir th. paint your own pa as your canvas and reality. This is you dose of J. BEEZEE

Have something to say? Send it to us!

“Ice is Froze n Water” By Josh Hu rwitz Bombastic

attachments chain an ot herwise pu organic ma re terial. Upon the st ar you thin k you are a little prince screams ep but your ea rs register th hemeral, e level of th is decibel a as the devil s low . What is all in my mind if you would listen to tha should be on yours, t humane sh Life is a dre oulder dwel am rowing ler. and you are on streams to drowning in darkness like shores, Helen Kelle r. A chorus sp oken until th e here and n ow turns to there and th the but if you ch en, oose not to hear it then it is repeate d for eternity. Learn to be the one tha t flew up ab ove and ove cuckoo’s nes r the or die tryin t, g to do wha t you believe to be ultima the best. tely Do not wait for the worl d to swallow unless you you and enjoy living in a system as excremen digest where a pale t, old forefath finger on th er has his fo e button to reflush for fu n. Where drea ms wil When you d l quickly become prece ded by pipes o not see a gold chain . as a shackle magnetize. I My being h as never ga ined pleasu re from shin treasure, y non-living elements on ly weighed And those fr me down. iends that w ere there to help hold th w e eight, after it was relieved fro m me they left town.

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Angelique is a singer/ song been writin g and perfo writer from Elicott C ity, Marylan rming pub response fr re licly since d. She has om high schoo her journey her classmates at Cen l. With a gr tennial Hig to become eat h the person ve v ry deep she is today School, she continued connection . F to ro m the start written for h her late gran er songs. Her first so she felt a ng Flying w dmother an fo for/about o ith Angels d thers she is so many oth close to. Her er songs wer th the heart, al music seem e written l inspired fr s to pour st om differen break up o raight from t experience r a great lo s. Whether ve, every so glimpse into ab ng tells a st her life. Som ory that give out a harsh e of the arti Sarah McL s you a smal achlan, Jon sts she men l i Mitchell an tions as infl Jo Joni Mitchel uences are d Jewel. H l often when er fa th she was a ch th them on lo er would li sten to ng drives w ild. She rem ith her fam embers list what she w il ening to y. anted to d It w as th en when sh o as an ad her to push e realized ult. S herself. Som e of her mu arah McLachlan infl When we uenced sic is a direc asked what t music mea gr g eatest form ns to her sh inspiration of her. of human e said, “Mu expression. people to sh sic is the ” She think are their ex s of it as a periences. L believe that way for istening to . her music m The thing akes me that impre Her fans su ssed us th ppo e most is matter wher rt her at every show h she plays. Th er following. e, when, or how hot. A ey show up th t e temper t two of th ature was sk no e shows I at yh fa fans were th tended ere to show igh. Even in the swel tering heat, th our events her and every ti eir support. She has p layed all th me she leav sh how her cro ree of es with mo wd gets big re fans. Wit ger and big people foll h every ger. ow good en ergy and go I’m not surprised tho person who ugh, o d music. A can provid ngelique is e both. Although one all of her or just a le performan Special Oly Olympians ar ce n s in ar g e either re experience mpics in 20 and audien ally good her favorite see her per 09 at the To ce was the w form there performan wson Aren ar m es t so is ce was the a. far. It was a energy abo know all of Sh e sa ys , “The recep ut the crow great day an the tion from th d that can’t d a great per of what they words and sing along e be ignored formance.” and dance are witnessi . Th Each time w ere is alway and there is ng. This ch e s al a Her style o ic w se k ay ct is s someone ion of peop a superstar f music can song has a who sits in , no doubt le who most easily spec about it. complete am be described azement relate to it an ial meaning to her in as al terative folk particular th d musically ,b e last track it moves m at close to ei Save the Las ut to me its just good e with its d ght minute music. Every yn t Dance. Sh s. amics even Just like her to her, and e says, “Lyr stil speaks to yo other songs ically I can , every word l.” It’s the longest track u on a very vulnerabilit still personal le on the albu y in every so vel. This alb , every note, has an ob m coming in ng. Photogra vi u o m u Right now, s is p em h so stays in hea otional con clearly a bea Angelique While she is vy rotation nection ring of the has made h on my iPod soul; you ca se er way to L an n feel the our full sup ttling in there, she is p d I o li s st A en n ge to it everyd port in her reparing to les where sh ay pursuit of st perform fo Angelique r musical sh e hopes to make a nam . ardom, as fa check out h o r e for herself w ttp://www.r as we’re con ca http://www se s an d local ven everbnation cerned she .cdb ues. We give . is .com/angeli big things fr aby.com/cd/Angeliqu her quehenle an already there. To find eHenle. Th om Angeliq out more ab d you can bu is will not b ue Henle.◄ out y her album e the last yo here u’ll hear fro m her. Keep your ear ou t for

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Fresh Competition of Bond & Bentley Gov. Martin O’Malley Sings American Pie

Bond & Bentley Doing their thing!

Gov. Martin O’Malley with Racheal

Outreach!

DenaFest 2010

By: Racheal Spence

Pasadena

, a local band, started an annual festival called Dena Fest to raise money for positive causes. This year’s festival was held on September 5th, and all of the proceeds went to The Rivera Beach Fire Department to support the construction of a new first line fire truck. This firetruck is to replace Engine 131, an engine that was lost last year in a lineof-duty accident that demolished the vehicle. There were two stages in the parking lot of the firehouse, which were home to performances by Pasadena, Bond & Bentley, Sweet Leda, Tommy Mcgee and the Glen Bernie Rhythm Section, Outreach, Guilty as Charged, and Fate Avenue, not to mention an impromtu cover of “American Pie” by Governor Martin O’Malley, who stopped by to join the festivities and speak to locals. He also gave a short interveiw with L.A.C.E. Magazine, which you can find on the website. Between musical acts, people got to enjoy the oddities of The Scarborough Side Show. Crowds watched as Chris Scarborough and Dangerous D performed multiple tests of their own strength, including such tasks as eating light bulbs and holding various

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weights while lying on a bed of nails. This wacky duo performed 2 sets throughout the day, collecting tips, or donations rather, at the end of each act. Collections were gathered in an unusual way… no “tip” jars for this crew! Instead, the gentlemen allowed every bill to be stapled directly to their bodies. “The bigger the bill, the more it hurts,” Chris said, as he bent down to show us the $20 bill attached to the middle of his bald head. The two were very energentic, and did a great job of keeping the crowd drawn in and wondering what they were going to see next. If sideshows aren’t your cup of tea, you could have browsed at some of the artwork that was on sale from local artists. Jason Patton, a graffitti artist, and Carrie Brazell, who creates sightly more surreal pieces, were just two of the artists that had tables with artwork being sold. They also had a painting area for the youngins. All in all, it was a great day featuring lovely weather, awesome bands, snowballs, artwork, food, and beer, and it was all to raise money for a good cause. Dena Fest is a “must see” event to complete anyone’s summer, especially if you enjoy raw talent.

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Con’t from page 36... LM: What would you say is the hardest part of putting together a production? SB: I would say re-casting. It sets back the whole production. You think that you have a pretty tight knit cast, and then something horribly goes wrong. You have to re-group. You either have to switch roles of the cast that you have or get someone new and bring them up to speed. Now if that doesn’t work, you just eliminate the character all together if possible or just divide the lines amongst the rest of the remaining cast. LM: How do you expect your audience to react? How does this make you feel? SB: I expect the audience to have a positive reaction to my plays. I want them to be able to follow the story line so as to understand the message. I want them to be able to relate to the situations. I want them to experience the emotions of the cast. If they feel like they want to laugh, cry or even be angry, then the cast has done their job in making the production as real as possible. It makes me happy others truly like my vision. I’m glad that they gave my production a chance. I appreciate all the support. LM: Where do you hope to be with your plays in the future? SB: I want my production company which is called Baas Productions to be the top notch venue where everyone can come and experience a female playwright who writes, directs and produces her own plays. I want to help keep the arts in our town. I want other playwrights to have a venue to house their productions as well at a reasonable rate. I’ve found that when you are on a shoestring budget, trying to find a venue is quite frustrating. LM: How can others in Baltimore find more information about shows and or audition information? SB: http://baasproductions.vpweb.com/ ◄

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With so many intriguing and various musical sounds in the region, how can you pick just one band to be your favorite? “Music is the greatest form of human expression,” said Angelique Henle. Sharing her sentiment, we at L.A.C.E. Magazine always set out to search for great tunes. Over the summer, we ventured to concerts and festivals of all kinds. We listened to great songs, sang along, and often danced all the way from the venues back to our cars. We gathered multiple new CDs full of amazing songs, intense lyrics, and hot beats. After a few months of reviewing music and attending a lot of performances, we have narrowed it down to ten of our favorite bands from the Maryland, DC, and Virginia areas. This was not an easy decision since there is so much talent throughout the region, so we based our choices on a few different criteria. These included how often we listened to a band’s music, their stage presence, and how much these new and exciting pieces of music were enjoyed by anyone else we played them for. Here are L.A.C.E. Magazine’s Favorite 10 Bands from the summer of 2010. Musicians from Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Virginia are all featured. Check them out, and be on the look-out for upcoming shows from all of them.

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Super S uper B Bob’s ob’s H High-energy igh-eenergy R Rock ock S Show how IInvigorates nvigorates t the he D D.C. .C. M Music usic S Scene cene by K b Kara SSoule l

he band Super bob (formerly known as bob) is an energyfueled, hardworking, and talented rock band out of Washington D.C. The founders of the band, Adam Smith, the guitarist, and Matt Santoro, the singer, met in middle school and have been working since then to find both a sound and band mates that fit them and their style. Luckily, they eventually found drummer Drew Recny and bassist Carl Schmieg. The band has been playing shows and festivals all over the Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania areas for the past few years and have earned the respect and devotion of almost everyone who has seen their mind-blowing live show. They’ve even been nominated for numerous local music awards and won the 717 Music Award for Best Regional Rock Band in 2008 and 2010. Super bob is described as having a sound that mixes aspects of Korn, Rage Against the Machine, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. However, their sound is truly unique and fresh. Their live show and performance abilities are not something to shake a stick at. They get up on stage and give the audience everything they have and then some. The energy and movement are endless and they feed off of the momentum of both each other and the crowd. Last year they played 120 shows and hope to reach beyond the 150 mark this year. Super bob has achieved all of this through old-fashioned hard work and perseverance, but it is paying off in huge ways. In addition to the adoration of their loyal and growing fan base, they were endorsed by Budweiser last year after a representative was floored by their set at DC101’s Last Band Standing. The members truly care about the music and the progress of the band, which shows in the amount of time they devote to playing, practicing, and promoting Super bob. “...we’re all best friends...If we’re not playing a show or practicing, we’re probably still together,” says guitarist Adam Smith. This band in committed to their calling and reaping the benefits. Besides honing and perfecting their performance skills, Super bob has spent a lot of time in the studio. They currently have four CDs released between 2006 and 2010. These musicians aren’t afraid to mix it up either, and have tried different sounds including acoustic guitar and electronics on their most recent CD. They are in good hands too, as their producer Garth Richardson has worked with plenty of other big name acts, such as Red Hot Chili Peppers. Super bob plans to continue playing, writing, L.A.C.E. // 48

recording, and most of all, performing for years to come. They will undoubtedly continue to rock hard and energize every crowd To find out about other show dates as well as how to get Super Bob CDs or downloads and merchandise, find them on Facebook or go to http://www.superbobmusic.com/.

Annapolis turns out one Sweet Leda by: Racheal Spence Photo: Angela Noblett

riginally formed in 2001, and later made complete by the addition of two musicians whose parts in the group seems unquestionable, Sweet Leda is a band from Annapolis, Maryland whose music speaks directly to your soul. The band consists of four musicians: Julie Cymek on lead vocals, Jaime Horrigan specializing in the bass, Don Boyette running the drums, and Omar El Dieahy performing the guitar parts. When playing together, these four create a sound that just jumps into your body, feels great, and makes you want to sing along. Combining sounds of funk, soul, and pop, Sweet Leda is one of a kind. With Julie’s soft, but strong vocals, and the amazing notes played on the guys’ instruments, this band truly sticks out in the musically diverse city of Annapolis. They also have great chemistry on

stage, and the band members say they’re “like family.” With its “sexy smooth rock and groove,” as stated on Reverb Nation, Sweet Leda has been compared to bands such as Beings of Leisure and Maroon 5 with Julie’s voice also being compared to both the great Janis Joplin and the young Joss Stone. We are sure to see and hear more great things from this band! Playing in multiple venues and festivals, you can frequently find Sweet Leda performing at Ram’s Head on Stage in Annapolis, The Whiskey, and the 8x10 Club here in Baltimore. To find out about other show dates as well as how to get Sweet Leda CDs or downloads and merchandise, find them on Facebook or go to www.sweetleda.com.

Through Changes, Bond and Bentley Continue Making Music

ond and Bentley is an indie rock fusion, hip-hop influenced band. They formed in 2005, though the line-up has changed a few times. Influences include Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Michael Jackson, and The Roots. Their wide range of musical interests clearly impacts their music and inspires their diverse sound. They’ve played shows up and down the east coast, and continue to build a strong fan base. Bond and Bentley has changed line-ups, but they have always maintained a strong foundation and a love for the music. The members truly play from within, saying “We just play from the heart, from the soul...as cliche as that may sound. Honestly, if we didn’t, we would probably go crazy, so instead we go crazy on stage.” Bond and Bentley was formed by friends Ray Wroten and Stan Wetters in Baltimore, MD in 2005. They met drummer Cheech Berry and were soon playing shows around Baltimore. They met talented pianist/guitarist Brice Dean and quickly added him to the line-up. Later, a change occurred when Berry left the band, citing artistic differences, and Alex Harrison stepped in. They released their first album, “Dreams Don’t Pay the Rent” in 2007 and continued to play to enthusiastic crowds at places like Rams Head Live!, Fletchers, The 8x10, and Recher Theater. Bond and Bentley decided to expand their sound by adding Baltimore based

emcee, Fresh Competition. He added a hip-hop vibe as well as wood winds and harmonica, widening the band’s musical range to rock, funk, hip-hop, and R & B. The band saw a few more line-up changes, and currently Ben Cowdry plays drums and Vernon Smith has taken Brice Dean’s place as lead player. In 2009, the band released their second album called “Take Two: Nefarious Lizards.” Through all the ups and downs, the band has stayed positive, moved forward, and continues to accomplish great things. To find out about other show dates as well as how to get Sweet Leda CDs or downloads and merchandise, find them on Facebook or go to www.sweetleda.com. www.yougotlaced.com// 49

aFREDUIANSLIP Brings a New Dose of Energy to the Baltimore/Washington Music Scene by Kara Soule Photos: Racheal Spence

altimore-based metal band aFREUDIANSLIP has been compared to renowned metal group Pantera, and is currently enjoying an increase in airplay and a growing fan base. Says Bob Seuhs @ SEN Baltimore “...this is a band that’s at the top of the game and I can’t stress enough that they just rock with a passion and fury that reminds me of “Vulgar Display of Power” ere Pantera...it’s simply amazing!” This interest and excitement surrounding the band is due to the energy, talent, and original sound they display. Formed in December of 2005, the members of aFREUDIANSLIP are Billy, the vocalist, Dan on guitar, Jeremy on Bass, and Fran, the band’s drummer. Bringing in a range of influences from the music world, the members of aFREUDIANSLIP combine to create something new and fresh to contribute to the Baltimore/ Washington music scene. The band members’ influences include Deftones, Pantera, Machine Head, Stone Temple Pilots, Boston, Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins, and mid-90s grunge bands. The band is proud to be part of the Baltimore music scene, saying “Baltimore has a great local scene...it’s a large community.” The band’s song “Swear” has often been played and promoted on WIYY 98ROCK due to the support of both their on-air DJ’s and Music Director, Rob Heckman. DC101 is also a supporter of aFREUDIANSLIP, playing and promoting their music. This upand-coming, local metal band has received high praise by many in the Baltimore/Washington area, and were even named one of the the Mid-Atlantic region’s “bands to know about.” aFREUDIANSLIP has played all over the southeastern United States, and has played with many other metal and hard rock bands, including Mudvayne, Puddle of Mudd, Good Charlotte, and Powerman 5000. Their energetic performances also continue to pack the local clubs they play at throughout the region. When asked how it feels to come back to Baltimore and play locally, Guitarist Dan said “It’s good to see bands support each other time and time again and just be able to come home and see familiar faces. It’s more of a party than it is a hometown show when we come back home.” The band reached an even wider audience recently by winning the “AST Dew Tour Battle” and playing for thousands of music fans at the Camden Yards Sports Complex. Excited and motivated about the future of the band, the L.A.C.E. // 50 members are all committed to continue taking aFREUDIANSLIP to

new levels. When asked where they’d like to be in five years they replied “on the road.” aFREUDIANSLIP will be going into the studio again soon to record more great music.

Fans can find their music on http://www.afreudianslipmusic.com, http://www.twitter.com/ afreudianslip, http://www.myspace.com/afreudianslip

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The Kings of Pasadena Keep Rockin! By: Racheal Spence Photo: Jac N Jules Photography

ormed ten years ago, (indeed, in the city of Pasadena, Maryland), Pasadena is a band that provides good times with their intricate sounds of acoustic, reggae, hip-hop and rock infused music. These mellow jams allow the listener to relax and be care free at any of Pasadena’s shows. The band consists of five members who play together to create an inspiring and groovy sound for all to enjoy. The vocals and acoustic guitar are provided by Joe Harkum, who is one of the original founders of the group. Aaron Hooper lays down the smooth bass lines, Cory Streett is rocking the beats on drums, Will Finley rips up the cords on his electric guitar, and Rodney Daniel blows listeners away with sweet notes from the trumpet, thus adding some funk to the group’s sound as well. A band influenced by everything and anything, the guys enjoy connecting to their audience through common experiences of struggle, conflict, and just everyday life. They

relate through things we have all been through at one time or another. Early on they played only small bars in Pasadena, but now the band is currently on tour across the east coast, playing at venues such as Brew River in Salisbury, Maryland, The Whiskey located in Annapolis, Maryland, The All Call in Trenton, New Jersey, and The Half Shell in Virginia Beach, Virginia. In addition to making music and performing, this year Pasadena held the fifth annual DenaFest. This year’s event was held to help raise money for the Rivera Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Fans can find their music and tour dates at http://www.thepasadenaband.com

he band OutReach brings a powerful pop and alternative rock sound to the Baltimore music scene. Their music clearly shows influences from bands like Taking Back Sunday, Cartel, and Foo Fighters. They recently released their second album, “False Statements from a Pretty Mouth,” which was produced by Frank Marchand (Good Charlotte), who says, “this release sounds ready for radio airplay.” Outreach has a loyal and growing fan base. In fact, they are one of the most popular bands in the area and more airplay is sure to make them even bigger and help them on their road to success. From Pasedena, Maryland, OutReach is made up of vocalist/guitarist Nick Cantalupo, guitarist/back-up vocalist Joe Bell, Guitar player Dustin Leight, Bass player J.I.M., and finally, Mark Dodson on drums. The band has been together for close to five years and the members still have fun together. Their light-hearted personalities, joking natures, and comical banter with each other add to their appeal. The members of OutReach are especially proud of their highenergy live shows. “Anybody can listen to an album, it’s the live show that sells it. You all need to come out ‘cause we party,” says guitar player Dustin Leight. Do yourself a favor, and get to the rock party that is an OutReach show!

OutReach Creates Energetic, Party Atmosphere at Rock Shows by Kara Soule Photo: Kristina DeSantis

Fans can find their music and tour dates at http://www.outreachband.com www.yougotlaced.com// 53

Combining Hip-Hop and Progressive Rock, The Longfellow Project Brings You Prog-Hop By Kara Soule

he Longfellow Project is a highly original hip-hop group that combines the art of rapping with humor and modern references. In their own words, when describing the band, members of The Longfellow Project say “...the rhymes flow freely like AIG bonuses. Throw in a few helpings of video games, horror movies, and Saturday morning cartoon characters, and you might start to get the picture.” Fans love them not only for the great music and sick beats, but for their witty and relatable lyrics, too. The rhymes are packed with references to television, video games, pop culture, and even their hometown of Baltimore. This unique rap group was formed in Baltimore, Maryland in 2008 by Beyond Z (Josh Hurwitz) and Dylan K (Dylan Kates), with the addition of Deejay JBZ occurring later into the duo’s tenure. They’ve even recently brought in the amazing vocal talents

of Jacqueline Morgia on a few tracks to add another dynamic and layer to their already strong sound. The band members’ influences include hip-hop acts like A Tribe Called Quest and Beastie Boys, but prog-rockers like Goblin, Todd Rundgren and The Mars Volta as well, inspiring hip-hop with a modern edge. The Longfellow Project has played numerous shows in the Baltimore area at places like The Brass Monkey and Fish Head Cantina, and have built up a strong and loyal following. This is due to their fun attitudes, highly energetic performances, great music, and the fact that anyone who’s seen a Longfellow show knows it’s impossible not to have an awesome time. The Longfellow Project has released numerous songs, and three albums, which can be found on myspace, cdbaby.com, Itunes, Amazon, or Rhapsody.

Photo Source: Press Kit

Murphy’s Kids Killin it in Richmond By: Racheal Spence

Skribe Brings Fresh Vibe to Folk Rock Sound By: Kara Soule Photo by: CMS JR Photography The bluesy folk rock band Skribe consists of members Aaron Yealdhall, Uncle Ben, and Dave Hart. Aaron is the guitarist, banjoist, and vocalist. Uncle Ben plays the crossbow. Finally, Dave Hart is the drummer. These Annapolis natives simply love creating and playing music and describe their style as “garage folk.” This laid back group brings a sense of humor and a relaxed, fun attitude. They list many influences such as Bill Withers, Muddy Waters, Pearl Jam, The Black Keys, and Buckethead. Skribe does a great job bringing old and new sounds together. They take classic styles like blues, folk, and rock and bring something edgy and new to it, adding a modern sense of funk. “An eclectic, ultra smooth blend of earth, gritty, modern folk music for the soul from the soul. A band that I can work and drink to all day,” says Katch 1 Natural Koncept. Clearly this band has something for everyone. The band’s music can be found on itunes or at myspace.com/skribe45. L.A.C.E. // 54

Richmond, Virginia is the home of one of the best bands I heard this summer. Murphy’s Kids send out slick, groovy vibes with a touch of rock and roll attitude. They have an intensely energetic stage presence and you can’t take your focus off of them. This band connects with their audience, no matter the size of the crowd. Consisting of six members, Murphy’s Kids are Reid Attaway, John Charlet, Nathan Koch, Reggie Chapman Daniel Attaway, and Randy Bradley. Having shared the stage with various bands such as Reel Big Fish, Mute Math, Less Than Jake, The Pietasters, Soja, The Suicide Machines, and Passafire, Murphy’s Kids have been jammin’ city to city all along the east coast for 11 years now. They are attracting a large and wide fan base of strong, steady followers who can’t wait to hear what’s next from this exciting group of performers. Last year, in 2009, Murphy’s Kids released their first full length album, Departures, a full disc of mesmerizing beats and lyrics that make you want to shout at the top of your lungs while dancing. We look forward whenever this crew comes to Charm City to get the town jumping with excitement, and can’t wait for their next show. To find out more about the band, or to buy music and merchandise, find them online at their new website, http://www.murphyskids.com, or find them on Facebook and Reverbnation.com.

Keefe Rocket Brings a Cool, Fusion Sound to the Baltimore Scene by Kara Soule

clearly attributed to their own band covering an equally eclectic range of styles. Bands that have had an impact on Keefe Rocket include The Beatles, Wu-Tang Clan, Al Green, and Tool. When listening to their songs, you can really hear music created from all of these artists’ influences. The band is building a strong fan-base in the Baltimore area, and has done a number of shows around town. They have already released one CD, and will soon be working on another which they hope to release sometime in the first few months of 2011. This laid back fusion band is just getting started, and has big plans in store, including more shows in more cities.

eefe Rocket is truly a fusion band, with their musical styles covering anything from rock to reggae to hip-hop, and even funk, jazz, and R&B. This band does not feel compelled to categorize themselves, or put themselves into one musical genre, and it’s one of the reasons they’re great. Keefe Rocket keeps things fresh and innovative by constantly changing and trying new, unique sounds in their music. This variety and diverse nature comes from the fact that they write collaboratively, so everyone’s influences and musical tastes are represented. The band members have a common laid back attitude, and a desire to play because they truly enjoy it. Balls McSaggin (formerly SoSick The Wicked Man) is the singer, Mista Ski plays keyboards, Shuga is on bass, Document G plays drums, and LSS is on guitar. The members refer to their list of influences as “eclectic,” which has

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If you ask me, I would never want to be a lobster. You would spend your entire life walking the ocean floor looking for your soul-mate, only to discover that he/she could possibly get captured and you two could be separated FOREVER!

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If and when they do you put yourself at risk to fall in love, you fall prey to the inevitable… Gazing up, sand and tears streaming from your crustacean face while he/she gets lifted up through the big blue sea by a wooden crate to be eaten! You are left alone to die! Why? Because when you are a lobster and you find your “mate” you find your SOUL mate… So, if you ask me…I would never want to be a lobster…and don’t even get me started on being a penguin! That’s just my opinion… www.yougotlaced.com// 55

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his summer, Baltimore was filled with the annual festivals we all love to par-take in each year; however, 2010 marked the beginning of a new annual festival in Charm City. The Baltimore Independent Music & Arts Festival took place over three days from August 26th through 28th. Beginning on Thursday, over 140 artists performed for the first of what is to be an annual festival. Taking place in the “Art District,” musicians performed in multiple venues including, but not limited to, The Hour Haus, Charm City Artspace, The Ottobar, The Wind-up Space, Bourben St. and The Depot. All three days were jam packed with insane line-ups of musical performances, visual art displays, seminars, and film screenings from regional and national artists. Seminars took place during the day starting around 1:00pm and speakers included professionals from the music industry, record labels, local record stores, and specialty stores. The musical acts and films took place between 6:00pm and 2:00am at ten different venues.

The festival kicked off Thursday evening at 6:00pm with a V.I.P only showcase of interesting and wide ranging music. Some of the most interesting music and lyrics you could ever imagine was performed in the tiny, intimate room of The Hour Haus with a ray of sunlight peeking through the large cathedral-like windows, casting a golden glow upon these musician and their instruments. It was amazing. We spoke to a few different groups including Hammer No More the Fingers and Alto Verde. On day two, we stopped by The Ottobar for one of many seminars being held that afternoon. This particular session was led by Mic Mel. The group consisted of musicians, producers, and record label representatives from all over the country. Each person had a story; all were different, yet at the same time, similar. They shared experiences of glee and stories of the struggles they had overcome along the ride to their dreams. As everyone shared ideas, the conversation quickly changed to “how to get to the next level.” Suggestions included targeting your audience, knowing your “true” audience, and ways to expand your fan base and get your name into the streets were also highlighted. Of course, marketing and how to sell your music and merchandise were topics of discussion as well. Around the circle they went, all sharing their goals and knowledge of the industry, and how music is perceived in so many ways. The hottest topic we observed that day was

about the difference between “Hollywood” sales and local and “Indie” sales. “All artists start off honest and want to make it all about their music...” one musician said, sharing his opinion when discussing the “sellouts,” a group of artists that once belonged to a small genre of uniquely interesting and original music creators, but then somewhere along the lines completely changed due to money. Basically, their idea of a “real” artist could be summed up in one statement, “Don’t jeopardize what you do for the masses.” Saturday was a packed day. We headed over to Bourbon Street at around four o clock in the afternoon, the earliest I ever have. We walked inside to see that the whole place was like a rave; it reminded me of Starscape, another annual festival held at Ft. Armistead Park. DJs were spinning in every room, and light dancers hypnotized each other with their vivid light trails. Jason Morris, aka “Stitch,” as he is called in the raver club scene, caught our eye immediately, so we had to grab a few words from him. “I started playing with the lights. I realized if I dance with lights I’m a lot better than if I dance without,” Stitch explains. He has been dancing it out with multiple styles of lights for over six years and has no desire to quit. Bourben Street was also home to the final performances of the weekend with an after-party that started at midnight Saturday and continued until 8:00am Sunday morning. What a way to end a remarkable, musical-filled three days! So many talented artists were featured over the weekend that there are too many to mention them all in this passage. However, some of the bands we enjoyed included, but were not limited to, Thrushes out of Baltimore, Exit Clov from the D.C. area and Cornell West Theory and Tennis from Denver, Colorado. Lisa Chaplin Suite, who started the Baltimore Music Conference five years ago, told how she partnered up to create this much larger and more diverse festival, and how in the future she would like, with proper planning and “man power,” to try to get more of Baltimore involved with BIMA, and have the whole city par-take. As of right now, it is hard for two people to make sure that nothing goes wrong at over 12 venues simultaneously during a 72 hour period while also managing all the behind the scenes work as well as performances. To listen to any of the mentioned groups’ sounds, or to check out the many other talented bands and solo acts from the festival, go the website at www.bimafest. com. This is the same website where you can find information about BIMAFest 2011 and how to get involved as well.

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