Playing Pink Rocks the Runway this year, the Charm City Devils are pure, classic, hard rock and roll in an industry filled with trends, fads, and flash-in-the-pan stories of "here today, gone tomorrow" generic flavors of the month.
Thank you to all of the musicians that have partnered with Pink Jams! Learn more about the bands that bring live music to our shows by reading about them below.
Nita Chawla
An urban girl with a Southern heart and Eastern roots, Nita Chawla grew up in both a musical and cultured family. Since the age of 5, she began singing with her makeshift family Vontrap, with her Dad often accompanying her on tablas. At age 8 she started learning piano and picked up the acoustic guitar soon after.
A blend of adult contemporary, alternative, and pop, Nita’s early influences were singer-songwriters Tori Amos, Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morisette. During her teens, she began to acquire a taste for rock acts like Garbage, U2, Coldplay, and pop sensations Madonna and Beyoncé. Nita's latest style is comparable to Adele and Colbie Caillat; her voice as smooth as dark chocolate with surprise hazelnuts found in her sharp staccatos and percussive outbursts. The only difference? She’s 100 % Indian.
In 2010, Nita launched a 5-song EP on iTunes and has been performing more than ever since then in both NYC and DC. She recently has been performing on a monthly basis at Bossa in Adam's Morgan, and has participated twice in “The 9 Singer-Songwriter Series,” a travelling showcase based out of D.C. featuring nine artists from various musical backgrounds. A short clip of her song “Forgive Me,” was included on the first season of NBC’s The Voice (2011) starring celebrity judges Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo, and Blake Shelton.
"Known for his innovative guitar playing, the DC-based singer songwriter plays his catchy, clever pop tunes." ~Washington Post's Going Out Guide
"What an awesome and inspiring experience to work with Adrian Krygowski. Totally prepared, professional and easy to work with. Can't wait to finish the album and for everyone to hear it." ~Ed Pettersen - Split Rock Records Nashville
"The music is a folk/alt country blend...reminds me of a young Jimmy Lafave. I bought his CD and I think you should, too." ~Stuck Inside of Knoxville
Soaring & unrepentant arena rock, transcendent acoustic ballads, deep and dark bass grooves - all punctuated with a hint of the blues. This is the unique sonic landscape created by Ted Hovis & the Stolen Camaros, hailing from the Washington DC area.
Featuring Ted Hovis on lead vocals/lead guitar, Mark Beeson on bass/vocals, Ted Dumas on drums, and Dick Busby on rhythm guitar/keyboards, they combine elements of modern rock, hard rock, blues, funk, electronic, and acoustic genres to create a sound that draws upon familiar sources yet occupies a space all its own.
The band was formed in mid-2011 in support of Ted's acclaimed solo album "Let It Shine", which has received overwhelmingly positive reviews across the US and Europe with two tracks receiving honors in the prestigious SAW Mid-Atlantic Song Contest. Critics have consistently compared the album's guitar driven, melodic sound to elite rock acts such as U2, Kings of Leon, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, and Led Zeppelin to name a few.
A staple on the DC scene for years (though the lineup has changed), Practically Einstein has toured everywhere from New England to New Orleans, as well as throughout parts of Europe, with trips upcoming to Prague and Copenhagen. PE recently released the single "Soldier Girl", a song dedicated to the women in the U.S. Armed Services. The song has appeared on the TV pilot "Young Adult" and has gotten airplay on numerous stations, including one of the most heard stations in the nation's capital, DC101.
A regular at such venues around DC/MD/VA as IOTA, Whitlow's, Shamrockfest, and the 9:30 Club, the guys also try to balance the local shows with tours whenever possible. So please ask about bringing PE to a venue near you! You can also often find the roving power duo of Brad and Smilin' Rob rocking their eclectic mix of originals and covers at countless local bars, parties, festivals, and Irish pubs.
PE's music incorporates such influences as '70's garage, '80's new wave, '90's alt-rock, and Americana from the '00s, but always ties it together with infectious pop hooks and bittersweet melodies. The guys all hail from elsewhere (including Jersey, Philly, and Detroit) but have bonded together to keep making music in the transient, turbulent landscape inside the Beltway.
The Vagabond Union is an Alternative Americana / Rock band based in the Carolinas consisting of Dave Hedeman, John Kenney, Dave Cannon and G. Malin Wagnon. Hedeman and Kenney met in college, and have since shared a mutual respect while pursuing other musical endeavors. Hedeman was the frontman for the southern rock band PuddleDuck, and Kenney and Cannon were the lead guitar player and drummer for the rock band Rotoglow.
Finally, the time has come for them to combine their talents and create a sound that rings true to their years of touring and traveling. Truth, guts, the American dream, and hard luck stories fuel their salt-of-the-earth songwriting style.
Sharing songwriting and lead singing duties in The Vagabond Union, Hedeman and Kenney, along with drummer/percussionist Dave Cannon, feel that they are finally in a place where they are completely comfortable and free musically. There are no expectations, no big dreams, and no record companies.
There is just one common goal: to make great American music.
With sites like VH1.com, pandora.com, and billboard.com now comparing the dreamscapes project to prominent bands like the Decemberists, Arcade Fire, and the Dave Matthews Band, its hard to imagine that a decade ago, when budding singer/songwriter Keith Center approached composition major Jeremy Rodgers about forming the band, that he promptly replied "No".
Although it took till 2006 to find its final line up, even Rodgers would admit that he never imagined the legion of loyal listeners which has followed this eccentric quintet since he reconsidered that fateful day. Fronted by 12-string acoustic guitar and cello, the addition of melodic bass grooves and world percussion makes it a struggle to define a genre narrower than "acoustic". Undaunted theScapes coined the name "folk-core" and have gone on to be called"…one of the most innovative bands to come out of the East Coast in the last decade." (Jim M., CWG Magazine).
With the bands last release however, theScapes began racking up statistics and accolades. Despite being free of almost all representation, over the next two years they preceded to play over 120 shows in 10 states, including headlining the legionary 930 club, sharing the bill with acts like Blues Traveler, Ok Go, Bowling for Soup, Pat McGee, Good Charlotte, and Steven Kellogg and the Sixers.
In its young career Honor By August has already played arena stages, had its music broadcast to millions and won the Grand Prize in Billboard's World Song Contest.
"Now widely considered one of the most promising new talents on the East Coast," (Washington Post) Honor By August makes music characterized by "distinctive, inviting vocals and anthemic, reverb-drenched guitars" (MetroMusicScene.com) and built on "award-winning songwriting, strong vocals, catchy melodies, and dynamic live performance" (OnTap Magazine).
A fast-growing reputation has helped create opportunities for the band to share up to arena-sized stages with artists including Bon Jovi, Third Eye Blind, Hanson, Peter Frampton, Vertical Horizon, Hootie & the Blowfish, Pat McGee Band, Edwin McCain, Virginia Coalition and many other emerging artists.
Honor By August has played to single crowds as large as 20,000 from arena shows at the Verizon Center, McDonough Arena and Innsbrook Pavilion, to headlining multiple shows at one of the nation's premier theaters, the 9:30 Club (DC), to performances at notable national venues like the Bowery Ballroom (NYC), The Roxy (LA), the Blender Theater, Mercury Lounge and Knitting Factory main stage in NYC, Viper Room (LA), Ram's Head Live (MD), Middle East main stage (MA), Toad's Place (VA), Cain's Ballroom (OK), House of Blues Cleveland (OH) and many, many others across the country.
To learn more about Honor By August, please visit their website at HonorByAugust.com.
Spellbound
Spellbound has been performing for Washington, DC-area audiences for years. Based out of Northern Virginia, Spellbound hit the streets and hasn't looked back. Currently appearing regularly at Clyde's in Ashburn, VA, we've also been booking gigs in some new spots like Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax, the Electric Palm in Woodbridge and O'Faolain's Irish Pub in Sterling.
Spellbound does covers of blues and classic rock songs that will have you singing along and getting out of your chair to groove along with us.
Influences (in no particular order):
Billy Hatley, Eric Clapton, Koko Taylor, The Rolling Stones, Buddy Guy, Luther Allison, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Big Momma Thornton, Etta James, Eva Cassidy, Janiva Magness, Bonnie Raitt, Howlin' Wolf, Susan Tedeschi, BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Beatles, Cream, and many many many more...
Ushering in a new golden age of live entertainment is Ted Garber, a genre-bending multi-instrumentalist whose "BluesAmericanaRock" combines classic showmanship with a captivating singer-songwriter sensibility. His smokey, bluesy vocals, howling harmonica riffs and screaming guitar licks are enticing audiences wordwide, taking us on a diverse musical journey from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, hovering in the Mississippi Delta before heading South of the Border.
Ask Ted about his musical influences, and four passions shine through-the iconic time-honored entertainers of his childhood, such as Sinatra and Elvis, his late folk-rock musician father, the rhythm and blues scene of New Orleans, and insatiable globe-trotting. His thirst for new experiences has led him to more than 30 countries on four continents. Whether it's a dingy shantytown motel room in Tanzania, a Brazilian beach hut jam session, a single-mom waiting tables at Denny's, or the smiling shoe-shining oracle on a New Orleans street corner, Garber's walking, hitching, gigging, chicken-and-goat-bus-cultural-immersion is what steers his musical odyssey.
Lloyd Dobler Effect has been full time touring musicians for almost a decade, having performed in over forty states and thirteen countries. The band has an impressive list of accomplishments: winners of the 99.1 WHFS Big Break Contest that pitted LDE against hundreds of area rock bands and led to several main stage appearances at the Washington DC HFStival; headlining multiple international Armed Forces Entertainment tours; and being voted one of the top ten best bands on the east coast in a Washington Post reader's poll. LDE has amassed a solid and growing fan base and they love their fans.
The name for the group comes from the main character in the 1989 movie "Say Anything" starring John Cusack, where Lloyd Dobler held a large boombox over his head outside of his girlfriend's window and blasted "In Your Eyes" in an effort to describe his feelings for her. This image soon became an iconic symbol of romance by an entire generation of women who expect similar expressions of love from their mates. The LDE name was primarily adopted because the band wants that same feeling to come across in their music.
As one of the industry’s most respected female-fronted bands, The Niki Barr Band has built its reputation on its innate ability to blend power pop punk with hard rock passion. Led by vocalist Niki Barr, who embodies an edgy yet magnetic stage presence, the group emanates an electrifying energy while pouring its heart into every performance. Resistant to conformity, this Baltimore-based band isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of music (or themselves) and continually challenges its fans to embark on a veritable rollercoaster ride of sorts with its menacing rock riffs, soaring anthemic choruses and powerful rhythm section.
Today, in a musical climate where female-fronted bands such as Paramore and Flyleaf often make an easy comparison for the Niki Barr Band, the group’s intangible strength and confidence is enough to rival even the heaviest of the male-fronted bands. In fact, the group has even proven that it can hold its own by sharing the stage with such heavy hitters as The Cult, Shinedown, Papa Roach, Chevelle, Drowning Pool, Hinder, Trapt, Sevendust, Puddle of Mudd, and 10 Years.
Now in 2011, the band prepares for touring behind its highly acclaimed record Radar Radio, which is already receiving much attention from radio stations nationwide. "Our plan is to never stop. The minute you drift or doubt, you fail. We've been kicked too many times to turn back. We're in this 'til the grave. The question is... Are you coming with us?"
Ditched by Kate is an alternative rock band that exploded on the Washington DC scene in 2010. They have been winning over crowds with their unique blend of emotion filled lyrics and melodic riffs that can sway from new wave to grunge to driving rock.
Each musician has spent a lifetime honing their own styles which come together to craft memorable songs that audiences respond to.
After a year of constant shows in the Metro DC area and launching their five song CD Stumble, they are back in the studio writing and recording songs for their first full length album, Bender.
In an industry filled with trends, fads, fashions, and flash-in-the-pan stories of "here today, gone tomorrow" generic flavors of the month, the one thing that remains constant is the need and love for pure, classic, hard rock and roll.
John Allen, vocalist, songwriter and founding member of Baltimore's Charm City Devils, knows this. Rock and roll has been his passion since childhood. It has taken him into clubs, studios, tour buses, arenas, and around the world, as a drummer in his own bands and now as the frontman for Charm City Devils, whose debut album, appropriately titled Let's Rock-N-Roll, on Eleven Seven Music, helmed by label President Nikki Sixx. Charm City Devils was recently named iTunes' 2009 Rewind New Rock Band of the Year.
John Allen: Vocals Vic Karrera: Guitar Anthony Arambula: Bass Nick Kay: Guitar Jason Heiser: Drums
You can also read a full interview with CCD about why they are participating in the 2011 Pink Rocks the Runway show on October 21, 2011.
MELODIME
MELODIME, a band of brothers from a farm outside Washington D.C., were taught at a young age not to despise small beginnings. From a humble upbringing to lowly tavern shows they've fought an uphill battle to become one of the premier bands in the metropolitan area. Their cross-genre sound, a great catalogue of songs and a dynamic live show have garnered them the attention of the industry and music fans of all ages.
Before playing under the glamorous lights of respectable clubs, MELODIME (Bradley, Sam, and Tyler) sharpened their skills in one of the least glamorous places imaginable: the hayloft of the family barn. In the sweltering heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter, the boys emulated the sounds of Tom Petty, Dave Matthews Band, and The Goo Goo Dolls for none other than a herd of horses in the surrounding fields. From there, they transitioned into playing in church bands which keyboardist Sam Duis said, "…was a great experience. You're constantly playing with a different group of people and songs, which requires you to be flexible and learn fast. Also, to read and play according to the atmosphere of the room and then see the effect your musical gifts can have on people is an incredible thing." Those influences, both musical and non, are a huge contributor to MELODIME's songs, image and work ethic today.
Having backgrounds in a wide variety of music, MELODIME has landed on a clean, polished sound they've termed "Southern Fusion:" rootsy, colorful and pleasing to those who hold an appreciation for the past, while simultaneously being catchy, contemporary and original. Their live performance is a point of strength as they achieve with 3 guys (without the aid of backing tracks) what many 4 and 5 piece bands struggle to. The sound is full, energetic and refined, commonly praised as being "better than the CD."
The indie rock trio from Richmond, VA, brings together three songwriters who share a penchant for melody. Started by Mark Brown, Tyler Crowley and Matt Klimas, the band is built on the interplay between their unique musical styles and influences. Blending pop, rock, and a hint of alt-country they craft hook-laden songs with tight layers of guitars and lush harmonies. At times anthemic and at others atmospheric, their music bares traces of mystery that both evoke and intrigue.
Mark Brown: Lead vocals, guitar Tyler Crowley: Guitar, vocals Matt Klimas: Bass, guitar, keys, vocals
For more information on Louisiana Territory, including show dates, visit: www.laterriotry.com.
Memphis 59
Memphis 59 is a rock band that currently hails from Arlington, Virginia. Their music can be described as a combination of rock, alt-country, and pop. They are sonically influenced by Tom Petty, Paul Westerberg, The Old 97's, and too many more to list. Described by Grammy Winner John Jennings as "ragged but right", Memphis 59 released their first full-length album in December, 2009, in collaboration with a trio of Grammy winners.
Fronted by rhythm guitarist and singer-songwriter Scott Kurt, Memphis 59's regular line-up includes bassist Rich Lewis, Nate Taylor on lead guitar, and Chris Zogby on drums. A long history of other bands, recording experiences, and shows behind them, the guys in Memphis 59 each say, in their own way, that this band feels more like "home" for them than any other.
Somewhere in-between John Prine and Jason Mraz lies Justin Trawick, a Washington, DC based singer-songwriter working hard to etch his name in musical history. Described as "Our Own John Mayer" by the Washington Post, Trawick describes his brand of music as "Urban Folk Rock." This flexibility has allowed him the opportunity to open for such artists as Brett Dennen, Sara Bareilles, Pat Green, Cowboy Mouth, Edwin McCain, The Duhks, Pat McGee, The Hackensaw Boys, Bob Schneider, The Gourds, Jill Sobule, and even the Ying Yang Twins. Often playing with a bassist, drummer, and electric guitar, his lyrics are gritty yet sweet, often referencing lessons learned or hopes for a better future.
His debut album, "How to Build a Life With a Lemonade Stand," is a drums-on-the-steering-wheel ride through thirteen songs cap tured live just as if he were playing in your living room. He followed that up with a full-length album "Live at IOTA" i n May 2008, demonstrating of how Justin and his band had grown in a year. His most recent EP is entitled "Starting Over." The naked, emotional, lyrically compelling album is full of pleasant, persistent hooks and invites comparisons to Jason Mraz, G. Love, Ani DiFranco and Dave Matthews.
For more information on Justin, other show dates, or to hear him jam, go to: www.justintrawick.com.
Attention Musicians: If you are interested in partnering with Pink Jams! for future events and/or are interested in donating your time to promote breast cancer awareness, please contact us at
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The Vagabond Union is an Alternative Americana / Rock band based in the Carolinas consisting of Dave Hedeman, John Kenney, Dave Cannon and G. Malin Wagnon. Hedeman and Kenney met in college, and have since shared a mutual respect while pursuing other musical endeavors. Hedeman was the frontman for the southern rock band PuddleDuck, and Kenney and Cannon were the lead guitar player and drummer for the rock band Rotoglow.
In its young career Honor By August has already played arena stages, had its music broadcast to millions and won the Grand Prize in Billboard's World Song Contest.
Spellbound has been performing for Washington, DC-area audiences for years. Based out of Northern Virginia, Spellbound hit the streets and hasn't looked back. Currently appearing regularly at Clyde's in Ashburn, VA, we've also been booking gigs in some new spots like Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax, the Electric Palm in Woodbridge and O'Faolain's Irish Pub in Sterling.
Ushering in a new golden age of live entertainment is Ted Garber, a genre-bending multi-instrumentalist whose "BluesAmericanaRock" combines classic showmanship with a captivating singer-songwriter sensibility. His smokey, bluesy vocals, howling harmonica riffs and screaming guitar licks are enticing audiences wordwide, taking us on a diverse musical journey from the Big Apple to the Big Easy, hovering in the Mississippi Delta before heading South of the Border.
Lloyd Dobler Effect has been full time touring musicians for almost a decade, having performed in over forty states and thirteen countries. The band has an impressive list of accomplishments: winners of the 99.1 WHFS Big Break Contest that pitted LDE against hundreds of area rock bands and led to several main stage appearances at the Washington DC HFStival; headlining multiple international Armed Forces Entertainment tours; and being voted one of the top ten best bands on the east coast in a Washington Post reader's poll. LDE has amassed a solid and growing fan base and they love their fans.
As one of the industry’s most respected female-fronted bands, The Niki Barr Band has built its reputation on its innate ability to blend power pop punk with hard rock passion. Led by vocalist Niki Barr, who embodies an edgy yet magnetic stage presence, the group emanates an electrifying energy while pouring its heart into every performance. Resistant to conformity, this Baltimore-based band isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of music (or themselves) and continually challenges its fans to embark on a veritable rollercoaster ride of sorts with its menacing rock riffs, soaring anthemic choruses and powerful rhythm section.
Ditched by Kate is an alternative rock band that exploded on the Washington DC scene in 2010. They have been winning over crowds with their unique blend of emotion filled lyrics and melodic riffs that can sway from new wave to grunge to driving rock.
In an industry filled with trends, fads, fashions, and flash-in-the-pan stories of "here today, gone tomorrow" generic flavors of the month, the one thing that remains constant is the need and love for pure, classic, hard rock and roll.
MELODIME, a band of brothers from a farm outside Washington D.C., were taught at a young age not to despise small beginnings. From a humble upbringing to lowly tavern shows they've fought an uphill battle to become one of the premier bands in the metropolitan area. Their cross-genre sound, a great catalogue of songs and a dynamic live show have garnered them the attention of the industry and music fans of all ages. 
