Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Tichenor.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Becky was in the Lunachicks, who just announced a reunion show and its blowing up the internet… she’s an OG punk rock drummer.
Rick played for The English Beat for over a decade and has toured the world with several bands over the years.
Rick and I met at the Kibitz Room at Canters Deli, the Tuesday night jam there is nothing short of legendary. Becky and Rick have played together in the past, and when the chance comes for us to make noise in a room, it was an awesome racket and we haven’t looked back since.
Musically, we draw from many places… 50’s/60’s Rock, Surf, 70’s Punk & Metal and many of the derivatives since. We love stuff from the Ventures to Tom Waits, Queens of the Stone Age to The Zombies, The Buzzcocks to Plague Vendor, Motorhead to Black Sabbath and more.
In life, our inspiration comes from personal struggles, individual freedoms and equality for all. The motivation to play music is ingrained in our DNA, it’s not a choice, its a requirement for living.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every band has a lifecycle… we’ve had ups and downs for sure, but the future looks really bright. We have the right people, in the right place, with the right vibe, for us to be the most pure and honest versions of ourselves… and that is the greatest path for us to create something meaningful.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Dirtycakes play Rock And Roll. And they play it LOUD. The group has a varied background, including world tours, political activism, and criminal records, but the band itself comes together in a union of Punk with a DIY ethic, to share the love and angst. Song topics include drugs, emotional turmoil, day to day struggles, and politics – a mixed bag, making the group an interesting one to get to know. Lisa had a chat with Dirtycakes to see what makes them tick.
Our goal is to make each other happy and fight for our values… and find the spaces in the sounds being made and the stories being told by our peers, and fill them with our honesty and boogie.
Selling the same Rock and Roll Lemonade as five other lemonade stands on the same street doesn’t do shit.
Being unique, and being honest, and being dangerous… that produces something of value.
Come check our Rock and Roll Lemonade, ain’t no one else got the same boogie in the pitcher.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up a military brat in a musically supportive family, in the era of 90s rock, and the internet breaking down the barriers previously setup to funnel all attention to the most profitable acts… was a blessing. I don’t really remember not playing instruments. I was not allowed to listen to music after 1967 until I could listen on my own. I stole my dads guitar when I was eight and it was all decided then and there.
I spent plenty of time in institutional situations and graduated #1 in my class in high school because I was the only senior at my 3rd high school. I’ve been in Mensa since I was seven, and I was an Allstar athlete… so a huge mixup jumble pile of potential, which took decades to realize.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: instagram.com/Dirtycakesband
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6lCJF3Mr6OJ7mXmb3dloy3
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