Former Musicians
These folks were either former members or have played with us for various reasons. We welcome musicians to "sit in" with us at gigs.
All former members and associates have an open invitation to play with us at any time.
Original Members
Former Drummers
Past Associates
Dominic Pelicano
Dominic was one of the founding members and Rick's son. Dominic passed away on May 11, 2004 and is sadly missed. He began playing guitar around the age of 8 after seeing the movie "LaBamba". He quickly began playing note for note Steve Vai tunes. Dominic then began studying jazz; he even played trumpet for a while. But he played guitar in the Damascus High School Jazz Band. His jazz influence was evident in his guitar playing, particularly soloing. After learning to play jazz, he got rid of his effects pedals and played straight out of the amp. He was known for his intricate solos on Elizabeth Reed; sometimes we would have to find his "off " button because he would lose track of time. In addition to playing with us, he and Charlie Beall formed several variations of jazz combos and played in the Baltimore area. Dominic was an accomplished artist who attended the Maryland Institute College of Art. View his art work on the website dedicated to a scholarship in his name and our dedicated page on this website.
Dominic's major influences were mostly jazz musicians: Miles Davis, Chet Baker, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck, Charlie Byrd, Thelonious Monk, and Herbie Hancock, to name a few jazz artists in his extensive CD collection. His non-jazz guitar favorites were: Steve Vai, Warren Haynes, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, and Dickey Betts. He was also a bluegrass and Johnny Cash fan. Dominic was also involved in "spinning"; he was an avid Drum and Bass fan and practitioner. We were in the process of incorporating some spinning into some of our tunes.
Gene Hudlow
Gene was a long-time friend and neighbor of Rick and Dominic. When Cops & Robbers began looking for a singer, Gene was a natural choice. As neighbors, Rick and Gene used to get together and have informal acoustic jams. Gene's influences were mostly country, i.e. Johnny Cash and John Prine to name a few. Gene was also our "marketing director"; in other words, he got us a lot of work�..Gene also put the "Robber" in Cops and Robbers.
Jamie Burke
Jaime was a founding member of Cops & Robbers. Jaime began performing double duties when Double Crossed lost their bass player. After we took a hiatus (that's another word for "broke-up"), he continued to stay with Double Crossed.
Ron Pierce
Ron was another founding member of Cops & Robbers and part of the three guitar attack. Ron is a true "gear head" so see him on E-Bay. You never know what he'll be playing next. Ron sat in with us this past summer.
Charlie Beall
As well as being a fine pianist, Charlie is a prominent Yoga instructor throughout Baltimore. While attending the Maryland Institute College of Art, Charlie created animated videos, synchronizing his own music with original computer animation. Although he specializes in the piano, Charlie's personal recordings feature a wide array of instruments he is also gifted with, including: drums, guitar, harmonica, trombone, banjo, and kazoo. Charlie has performed solo piano at events ranging from: "�fancy fundraisers for wealthy Senators and Presidents, to dirty warehouse parties for Bohemian youtz" (youtz , what's a youtz?). He also played in jazz combos with Dominic. For Yoga instruction or to book Charlie, contact this website. We'll get a hold of him or send him a smoke signal. He doesn't have email �cause he is Bohemian.....
Ranjeev
The first of many drummers. Ranjeev is an excellent drummer who could play anything. He was as comfortable playing jazz as rock. We don't know where Ranjeev is now. If you see a souped up red Monte Carlo in the Silver Spring area, tell him to check the website out and to give us a holler. Just don't lend him any money. Tell him Gene doesn't want to kick his ass anymore either! [second from right]
Dave's Not Here
We call him "Dave's Not Here" because he wasn't when we needed him. The law had detained him right before a gig. "Hey Dave where the hell is that drum set you took off with?" Cops & Robbers has a warrant out for him - he absconded (that means he took it and didn't return it) with a drum set belonging to a member of Blackout. He is also the only drummer I ever met who showed up to practice without drum sticks..."That's why they call it dope!"
Mike Brennan
Mike started playing with us after "Dave's Not Here" got locked up before a gig. Mike filled in until we finally found a reliable drummer (Steve) to play with us permanently. Mike was also a part of the two drum attack that we favor. Talented on drums/percussion, Mike has been playing drums 40 years (30 professionally) and his styles extend from funk to rock. His major success was in the 80's opening for bands like Metallica, Armored Saint, Wasp, and Anthrax, while touring with heavy metal acts. Mike also toured the U.S. with various top 40, show, country, and rock bands. Mike has been teaching at Make 'N' Music for 19 years, and considers his strengths accuracy in timing, technique, double bass, linear grooves, and coordination. Mike has done studio work on all percussion levels, Mike is available for lessons Monday thru Saturday at Make N Music at 7540 North Market Street Frederick, Maryland 21703. Phone 301-662-8822.
Dave Dolittle
Dave is a friend of Gene's and began playing with us when our other elusive drummers weren't there. Dave's other commitments prevented him from making practices so we used him to fill in at gigs and to give us a two drum attack at other times. This picture is from our reunion at the Bellevue Block Party on Memorial Day 2004.
Jim (Spike) Ostmann
The Marylanders, a band with members Kenny Laughlin, Russ Fluery and Jimmy Ostmann, was later named The Carefrees. They played many gigs in the Md., Va. and D.C. area. The Carefrees were a favorite on Fraternity Row at the University of Maryland and at the Keg, a major Georgetown hot spot in the mid 1960's. Known for its "downtown sound," the Carefrees played a major James Brown set, a number of Ray Charles numbers, with Goeff Humphrey playing a Wurlitzer electric piano (same as Ray's) and singing those R&B classics. Rock instrumentals, surf music, the Beatles' rockers were also featured. The "Dance Contest" always featured Link Wray's "Jack the Ripper." Link was Jimmy/Spike's greatest influence. "When I heard 'Rawhide' (a top forty hit for Link in 1959) I knew I had to learn to play it, and that was the beginning," he said. Jimmy also played with the Profiles (Goeff Humphrey, Phil Martin and Stu Stillery) in l964 before rejoining the Carefrees.
Jimmy, later called Spike by some folks, went on to produce Billy Hancock's "Hey Little Rock and Roller" album, released by Big Beat Records of France. Two of his compositions are on the album, including the title cut. It is considered by many to be Hancock's best album. Spike was a longtime friend and lawyer for guitar master Danny Gatton, and was associate producer of Danny's posthumous "Humbler" album. A published songwriter (ASCAP member since 1982), he has sat in with the Danny Gatton band, the Unforgiven, Cops and Robbers, Blues Museum, and Tino's Gang. Jimmy/Spike continues with occasional live gigs as well as composing and recording projects.
Brian Boccia
Brian, associate of Cops & Robbers, is the lead guitarist of Blackout and is Rick's step son.
Rachel McMullen
Rachel, associate of Cops & Robbers, is singer and guitarist of Blackout.
Bruce Barton
Bruce Barton is known primarily as an electric lead guitarist/vocalist and was looking for a change after "Bottle" (his former band) finished promoting its last disc "Scare Factor." He decided it was time to focus on acoustic material.. To date Bruce has completed 2 solo CDs, 2000's "The Upside of Down" and 2004's "Offkilter" and is currently working on new material. Bruce also sits in on occasion with his cousin Rick Pelicano's band "Cops and Robbers" Bruce's musical contributions have been spotlighted by the press and radio in the US and Europe for over 15 years. Bruce's website offers free downloads of his music.
Kitty
Nice Kitty as Band Security. (She's lookin' for "Dave's Not Here")
Last Updated: 08/24/2007 by Scott Savage (webmaster)