Junkrod Joe's Baltimore

Dinner with Friends

Our evening begins at Friends in Fells Point with mini burgers, nachos and wings. And beer, naturally.

Over dinner, Junkrod discuss their newest self-titled album. It's the first cut by the three current members; previous albums were recorded by lead singer Joe under the name Junkrod Joe and the Cadillac Hearse. What's different about this album? "Better production," Joe says. The synthesis of the three talents achieves a fluid sound, and the guys seem to have a camaraderie with one another that blends the personal with the professional in a solid balancing act.

After ordering beer and food, Junkrod fill the jukebox queue with influences like Johnny Cash, The Doors, CCR, Neil Young and The Ramones.

Matty and Darren discuss what they like best about Baltimore. Like their music, Baltimore has a definitive, loveable grittiness with an underlying sense of fun, they say.

"I like the food here, and the older bars and buildings. They don't have anything like it on the West Coast," says native Californian Darren Daniels.

"It's bad-ass," Matty agrees.