Having learned a couple of chords and to pluck out a few recognizable riffs on the lower E string, he set out to form a band. He appealed to his circle of friends in his Chillum, MD neighborhood. Billy Tanis lived in the building next door; Johnny McDonald and Ricky Prince lived across the creek that ran through the park nearby. All were friends around the same age, give or take a year or so. All were Rock and Roll fans, musicians?, no. That was a small obstacle as far as Chris was concerned. He began a recruitment campaign, cajoling and persuading these friends of their unique, undiscovered musical abilities. They eventually “drank the Kool-aide,” so to speak, and focused on learning to play something. Much noise was made in the years that followed and, at times, something that sounded like this could actually work!
The boys fell into their rolls. Ringmaster Chris, a.k.a “Mooch,” on guitar. Billy on drums (not wanting to be associated with a “sissy” string or keyboard instrument) and Ricky on vocals, having been persuaded by Mooch, though, there was evidence to the contrary that he could sing. Again, no problem, time was on their side. Johnny Mac “Smack” there through it all, became a multi-purpose member – collaborator, critic, sounding board, cheerleader, organizer, promoter, confidante, “schlepper,” trumpet player, vocal accompaniment on occasion, and all around “right-hand man” to the band. He also took over when the first sound man, Jay Forsythe, decided to leave.
Seeking out other budding rockers at school and in nearby neighborhoods, the boys met bass player Jimmy Smith, from New Carrolton, MD, at someone’s house jam. Being the best bass player they had ever played with, Jimmy was put at the top of the wish list of additions to the band.
By the end of 1976, the boys had played in various forms under various names at small party type events and jammed with other locals. It was time to think about taking this “band thing” serious enough to rise to a professional level. The name Dirty Work was taken from a Steely Dan song title. It fit the rough and tumble style of rock and roll the band wanted to play. Jimmy was asked, and agreed to join. Rehearsals began.
The band compiled a repertoire of the music they loved, covers of the songs they grew up with that had influenced them. Another guitar player, Paul Vaughn was added, but left after a short stint. Egidio Ienzi from nearby Lewisdale, MD was a friend, playing guitar in another band of friends. He was asked, and agreed to join.
After playing a number of parties to enthusiastic audiences, the next step was taken. The first club gig was at Kim’s Hideaway in Green Meadows, MD, on a Sunday night sometime in the fall of 1977. Kim’s was a restaurant/bar in the middle of the band’s neighborhood. Many friends showed up in support and the band was asked to play every Sunday. They agreed. The success of these shows lead to bookings at popular College Park venues, The Backroom, Italian Gardens and The Paragon. A growing number of friends continued to support the band and the bookings expanded to other Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC venues, The Crazy Horse in Georgetown, Louie’s Rock City, The Keg, Mr. Henry’s, and more.
Always scouting new venues to play, members of the band happened into Bambino’s Pizza Restaurant in Riverdale, MD. The owner Terry loved bluegrass music. A bluegrass band was playing at the time. Terry was asked if he would consider having a rock band play at his place. He was reluctant, afraid of the type of crowd it might bring to his family place, but agreed to book them on a middle of the week night when he usually didn’t do much business. To his shock, his restaurant was packed as never before. They ran out of beer midway through the night and sent for more. Dirty Work was asked to be the house band. The band declined, not wanting to limit themselves to one area, but booked shows at least once a month. This began a run of rock shows at Bambino’s, later The Riverside, that went on for many years.
Chris and Rick had been writing songs together for a number of years by this time and were starting to incorporate a few original songs into the band’s set list. Every member collaborated on the songs presented, molding them into what they would become. They began to add more and more original material, preparing to take the band to the next level. Recording and promoting its own music was Dirty Work’s next goal. The band responded to an ad in the Unicorn Times for a producer seeking bands who needed guidance in recording and the process of record making. Recording sessions were booked at Track Recording Studio in Silver Spring, MD.
Dirty Work’s first single, produced by David Cohen, was recorded and released in 1979. ” Never Give An Inch” A side, “The Lady Likes Cocaine” B side. Both sides of the record were played respectably on WHFS 102.3, the local progressive FM rock station, and a number of local college radio stations. The B side, “The Lady Likes Cocaine,” was played a few times daily on WWDC 101, the popular album oriented rock station, through the summer of 1980.
Meanwhile, Dirty Work played the local venues, The Psyche Delly, The Childe Harold, Desperado’s, Club Soda, The Cellar Door, Friendship Station, to name just a few. They shared the stage with a “who’s who” of local acts, Tex Rubinowitz and the Bad Boys, (the) Razz, The Slickee Boys, Johnny Bombay and the Reactions, Nightman, and many, many others. The band opened for national acts The Inmates, Wreckless Eric, and The Tears.
Dirty Work was forced into a sudden hiatus in the early summer of 1980, when Rick was injured in a work-related accident that rendered him unable to perform for many months.
They returned to an enthusiastic Psyche Delly audience in October. Switching producers, the band went back to Track Studios to record its next record. The EP “Studio Dirt” was produced by the respected DC area musician and producer Ted Niceley, and engineered by the equally respected Mark Greenhouse. Studio Dirt was also played by local radio stations.
Dirty Work continued to work in the studio at Track on a number of projects with Niceley and Greenhouse that included record projects for other artists, as well as a group of songs they hoped would become a full album. It was never completed.
Prince and Moutsos wrote two songs,” All By Myself” and “Take You For A Fool” for a single released by Trisha Burton. The band backed her in the studio at Track, along with Mitch Collins from the Catfish Hodge Band on piano, and saxophone extraordinaire Ron Holloway from The Root Boy Slim Band. Members of Dirty Work also worked on a single by The Hijackers, contributing the Moutsos/Prince song “It Really Didn’t Matter.” This single also included the playing of Ron Holloway and Steuart Smith, current guitarist for the Eagles.
Dirty Work disbanded in early 1982, for reasons unclear.