Dirty Names

Artist Information

Biography

The four members of Rock & Roll outfit The Dirty Names started playing together early in life. Drummer Matt Rose and bassist Sam Wetterau have been friends since age 10 and played together in a metal band at age 15. Lead singer Harrison Cofer moved to their town of Annapolis, Maryland for his high school freshman year, upset that he had to leave his last band in Michigan.

“I show up and Matt and Sam were playing on stage for the opening assembly,” Cofer recalls. “I was sitting there pissed off and saw them and said ‘I’m going to play with these guys.’ Sure enough, they asked me to play acoustic guitar on a Rolling Stone cover a couple of months after that for a battle of the bands, which we ended up winning.”

Wetterau went off to college (before coming back to re-join his friends) and Cofer got kicked out of his high school. He landed at another school where he recruited lead guitarist Kit Whitacre.

The band teamed up with a short-tempered music enthusiast with a wicked record collection who began to manage the band. At that time, they were simply called The Names. The story goes that they were tossing around possible band names, getting more and more ridiculous, as bands do, until Rose shouted, “I cannot take this anymore! Can we just be all of them. Let’s just be The Names.” (Later, they found out another band in Belgium already had the name, so they just made it a little dirtier.)

Their manager locked them up in a garage studio for two years with few live shows. He drilled classic and rare rock recordings into their heads working them towards a record release. Towards the end of this phase, Wetterau returned from college and joined the band. As tempers flared, the band split with the manager and they realized that the best thing for them to do was play live as often as possible, touring all over America including two festivals in Toronto Canada

In a similar short feedback loop fashion, the band started releasing EPs. Last year in 2011, they released the five-track Rock and Roll Mind Control, which features “Salt Water Jackie,” a track with an award-winning music video that takes place in a ballet studio and shows the band using their music to once again corrupt. The first EP was recorded in a shack-like garage studio of a friend.

Earlier this year in 2012, they released SWEAT BOX, a six song EP recorded shirtless in a warehouse on a hot July day. The recording includes songs the band has been playing for a couple of years live but just hadn’t recorded yet. The two EPs will likely be combined into a proper album sometime in the not too distant future.

PERSONNEL:

Harrison Cofer – Lead Vocals, Guitar?

He’s the band’s James Brown. He played bass originally, but when Wetterau joined the band, he took the bass so Cofer could focus on lead vocals. Is the band founder and remaining original member.

Matt Rose - Vocals, Drums?

They call him Father Time. He’s the timekeeper and knows when to push the band. He started as a guitarist, an instrument he won competitions on. So he understands how the pieces fit together.

Kit Whitacre - Vocals, Lead Guitar?

The band’s solo master. He will jump into the crowd, play behind his teeth, and play with his back. Or maybe the other way around.

Sam Wetterau - Vocals, Bass?
The glue that holds it together. The guy that hangs back. The keeper of the groove. Also acts as band manager with his fancy college degree and what have you. They call him Fat Fingers.

(John Countryman – Piano, Organ; no longer in band but on some recordings)

Instrumentation

Harrison Cofer - Vocals, Guitar
Matt Rose - Vocals, Drums
Kit Whiticare - Vocals, Guitar
Sam Wetterau - Vocals, Bass

Discography

Rock & Roll Mind Control EP 2011
Sweat Box EP 2012

Official Website

http://www.thedirtynames.com

Links

• MySpace
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Reverbnation
• Last.fm

Audio

• Don't Try Making A Move
  Listen  
• Salt Water Jackie
  Listen  
• I Don't Care
  Listen  
• I Get By
  Listen  
• Pootlehead
  Listen  
• Hot Are On Fire
  Listen  
• Puppy Love
  Listen  
• On Again Off Again
  Listen  
• Swimming With Yer Heart
  Listen  
• Cadillac
  Listen  

Video

Puppy Love (Official Video)

Salt Water Jackie

Photo Gallery

Press

• Relix - Show Review NYC [+ Show ]
  

  The old school rock n’ roll foursome, Dirty Names, took the stage next and made the crowd move right...The old school rock n’ roll foursome, Dirty Names, took the stage next and made the crowd move right up to the stage. They immediately broke out in wild energy on, “Don’t Try Making a Move” with animated facial expressions and sexual dance moves. The next song, “I Get By” had an irresistible 60’s rock vibe and lead singer, Harrison Cofer, threw his guitar around at the peninsula of the stage staring straight into the audience challenging anyone to look away.
  
  “Mr, Satisfaction,” a new song, had team vocals and guitarist, Kit Whittacre, pointed his instrument from his crotch playing provocatively to the audience. Always a crowd pleaser, the band played “Salt Water Jackie” and the entire crowd was dancing wildly with girls grinding on one another or gyrating towards the stage. Harrison fell to the ground still strumming and then jumped out to the front of the stage, playing guitar between his legs.
  
  “Cadillac” had the room throwing themselves around, and in coordination with the music, a couple began waltzing crazily around the room. Before exiting the stage Harrison kicked his pick off the stage into the onlookers.
  

• BUST Magazine - Show Review NYC [+ Show ]
  

  If you’re game for battling through crowds of drunken models, you should see them live when they’re ...If you’re game for battling through crowds of drunken models, you should see them live when they’re in town.

• The Band That Blew Me Away [+ Show ]
  

  It was electric. I don't use that phrase about every band I see; "electricity" is either something ...It was electric. I don't use that phrase about every band I see; "electricity" is either something you have, or something you don't. The Dirty Names are electric. Someone, somewhere needs to manage them and put them in front of someone who can make them rock and roll stars. Not only have they earned it, but they deserve it.

• The Dirty Names
  

  "... we were all witnessing the next big thing..."

• Dirty Names Live at The Mercury Lounge [+ Show ]
  

  The headliners, Dirty Names, jumped onstage just a short while later and then something truly magica...The headliners, Dirty Names, jumped onstage just a short while later and then something truly magical happened: the crowd started dancing. Not headbanging, not tapping their feet along or bobbing their heads politely, but really dancing. The Names sound a bit like the Rolling Stones-via-Chuck Berry-via-The Kinks which by some rock miracle doesn’t come off sounding dated.

• Show Review -- Asheville NC -- February 5th 2012 [+ Show ]
  

  This is mayhem, this is late-night, this is the time to let go of inhibitions and give in the darker...This is mayhem, this is late-night, this is the time to let go of inhibitions and give in the darker, wilder id.

• Playlist For The Big One - Dirty Names
  

  This is turn up the volume blow-out-the-dust drive-with-your-windows-down music.

• Dirty Names on Tour [+ Show ]
  

  While all of their music have strong ties to classic rock&roll, it's clear that Dirty Names have stu...While all of their music have strong ties to classic rock&roll, it's clear that Dirty Names have stumbled onto the nicest kind of swagger. Their songs range from classic rock, to swing, to boogie, with hints of the Rolling Stones, and I'd even dare to assert an aura of the free wheeling G.Love and Special Sauce.

• The Rock And Roll Hotel - November 5th [+ Show ]
  

  It takes guts to play things straight these days as opposed to trying to add the latest Band of Hors...It takes guts to play things straight these days as opposed to trying to add the latest Band of Horses style or whatever else is hip. These guys have not only the skill, but the moxy needed to bring it home. They are off on a tour of the south and if they get crowds like tonight (swelling to nearly 100 by now), they should do very well.

• [Music Video] Dirty Names - Salt Water Jackie [+ Show ]
  

  This is the perfect jam for a Friday night. Damn that is some fine Rock & Roll. This really reminds ...This is the perfect jam for a Friday night. Damn that is some fine Rock & Roll. This really reminds me of some prime Rolling Stones. And a guitar solo! FUCK YEAH! We do not, I repeat, do not have enough guitar solos in music nowadays.

• CD Review of Rock & Roll Mind Control by Ben Hughes [+ Show ]
  

  Dirty Names have a lot of soul, their sound and influences are clear for all to see, it is vintage r...Dirty Names have a lot of soul, their sound and influences are clear for all to see, it is vintage rock 'n' roll in its purest form, a band that don't care for modern sounds, like the last 40 years of music never happened, and sometimes that is just so damn refreshing.

• Salt Water Jackie featured as Opening Night Music Video [+ Show ]
  

  What happens when a tightly wound ballet troupe is forced to share their rehearsal space with a grou...What happens when a tightly wound ballet troupe is forced to share their rehearsal space with a group of musically gifted bad boys fighting to bring back the lost art of rock and roll?

• Dirty Names At Arlene's Grocery Friday June 24th [+ Show ]
  

  Seeing them twice in a row, isn’t so bad . . . I’d probably have them as my entourage band if I coul...Seeing them twice in a row, isn’t so bad . . . I’d probably have them as my entourage band if I could. Instead, I’ll just have to follow them, which is fine, because I can’t seem to find enough rock in a night unless these guys are on stage reminding us about the purity of music we’ve all been missing.

• Rock NYC - The Dirty Names and they came to Rock! [+ Show ]
  

  As The Dirty Names bring rock&roll back into America, like The Beatles did in the 60's, with their h...As The Dirty Names bring rock&roll back into America, like The Beatles did in the 60's, with their high energy shows and extraordinary stage presence, they are on the frontline of the current rock tsunami that I can see them surfing for a long time. They are true ROCKstars.

• NXNE Artist Description [+ Show ]
  

  Memphis rock 'n' roll with a British twist, Dirty Names pick their way through Hamburg era Beatles a...Memphis rock 'n' roll with a British twist, Dirty Names pick their way through Hamburg era Beatles and 'Exile On Main Street' Stones and come up with a soul infused, Chuck Berry style stomp.

• Music Connection Magazine Club Review [+ Show ]
  

  "The Dirty Names are true showmen and real troopers. After spending time in their freezing van wait..."The Dirty Names are true showmen and real troopers. After spending time in
  their freezing van waiting to start the set they refused to allow it to impact
  their show. Each player had a chance to shine without upstaging fellow band
  members while frontman Cofer kept a tight rein on his position."

• Dirty Names - Rock and Roll Mind Control [+ Show ]
  

  Whoever said Rock ‘N Roll is dead obviously hasn’t sampled the Dirty Names.The mid-Atlantic region b...Whoever said Rock ‘N Roll is dead obviously hasn’t sampled the Dirty Names.The mid-Atlantic region based group takes the foundation of rock we love, but adds their own spin.Their debut EP “Rock and Roll Mind Control” exudes gritty vocals with a rhythmically charged delivery.

• DIRTY NAMES AT ARLENE’S GROCERY, SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2011 [+ Show ]
  

  Five sexy, bold, confident, skinny guys strut on stage, sporting tight jeans, blazers, slicked hair ...Five sexy, bold, confident, skinny guys strut on stage, sporting tight jeans, blazers, slicked hair and rings, snag their guitars, whip out this catch-phrase, then plow into 45 minutes of the most phenomenal Rock n Roll since The Rolling Stones. They’ve drilled their set so each song flows seamlessly into the next, never allowing a moment where you aren’t dancing your heart out. They are the epitome of professional rock n rollers, from their 60’s image to their stage presence to keeping crowd energy soaring and making sweet love with every person in the hall. They’ve choreographed dance moves that pull the audience in, making it impossible to be an unmoving hipster – you have to shake your booty to these guys.

• Dirty Names - Rock & Roll Mind Control Review [+ Show ]
  

  In a year where the Black Eyed Peas performed at halftime at the Super Bowl, what the world needs is...In a year where the Black Eyed Peas performed at halftime at the Super Bowl, what the world needs is a return to rock and roll with verve and grit and the Dirty Names deliver both in spades.

• Dirty Names Feature Review on Hip Hop Stardom 101 Magazine [+ Show ]
  

  Cool, Smooth and Funky are the three words that describe DIRTY NAMES. Their style and talent will ha...Cool, Smooth and Funky are the three words that describe DIRTY NAMES. Their style and talent will have you singing to their tone in no time. DIRTY NAMES exhibit originality and confidence across the board. We highly recommend you support this cutting edge group.

• Giving Rock And Roll A Dirty Names: The Interview [+ Show ]
  

  The band sounded great on Wednesday, tight and polished to a shine. They put out a lot of sound with...The band sounded great on Wednesday, tight and polished to a shine. They put out a lot of sound without any element being lost in the mix or sounding overly busy. Countryman pounds the ivories with a vigor that a Korg can barely withstand, Whitacre rocks across stage, kicking and grooving, and Cofer has the stage presence of a frontman from the classic era of frontmen. Pretty impressive stuff, considering that the combined age of the band barely cracks the century mark.

• In the Spotlight with The Dirty Names [+ Show ]
  

  This five-man band, comprised of Harrison Cofer on guitar, Matt Rose on drums, Kit Whitacre on guita...This five-man band, comprised of Harrison Cofer on guitar, Matt Rose on drums, Kit Whitacre on guitar, Sam Wetterau on bass guitar, and Jon Countryman on keys, is spreading the good Word of pure Rock and Roll. An upcoming band packed with high energy that leaves concert goers begging for more.

• What's In a Name? [+ Show ]
  

  Beneath dim lights, 100 people are crammed into a tiny space, sweaty bodies close enough to spill ea...Beneath dim lights, 100 people are crammed into a tiny space, sweaty bodies close enough to spill each other’s drinks with one wrong step. No one minds, though. They’re too interested in what’s moving them: the songs of The Names.
  “When I close my eyes and listen to them, I feel like I’m in That Thing You Do,” shouts Shannon Ross, over the song “Poodlehead,” written for a friend whose long curly hair is poodle-like.
  Their sound is from another era. Loud, light-hearted and upbeat, it’s enough to move even non-dancers to tapping feet and bobbing their heads to the beat.

Setlist

We can play from 30 minutes to 3 hours. We have 30 original songs and 30 cover songs that include Sam & Dave, Chuck Berry, Wilson Picket, The Clash, Ray Charles and many more. We play Rock and Roll music and need to be in front of people.

Basic Requirements

Calendar