Freeway 111 is original songs, with memorable hooks, sweet harmonies, expressive lyrics, tasteful jammy solos, and solid musicianship.
Here's our story:
The band’s history can be traced back 15+ years, when Ira Katz (now performing as C.L. Blake), Brandt Huseman, and Miles Bennett were part of the original (and only) Greenberry Woods line up - accept no imitations!. The Woods were signed to Sire/Reprise Records in 1994 and released 2 studio albums, Rapple Dapple and Big Money Item. Rapple Dapple (pronounced Rapple Dapple) was picked by two Billboard Magazine writers as one of the top 10 albums of 1994.
In addition, The Woods toured extensively -- sharing the stage with the likes of Live, Goo Goo Dolls, Matthew Sweet, Counting Crows, Dave Matthews Band, The Proclaimers, Debbie Harry (just after she was hot), and many others. Additional accomplishments included a publishing deal with Warner/Tamerlaine, the airing of two videos on MTV, musical guest on the Conan O’Brien show, as well as featured spots on television hits including Party of Five, Melrose Place, and the movie Naked In New York. The Woods officially disbanded in 1996, with everyone moving on to pursue new musical projects and other interests.
Freeway 111 was formed after several late night informal jam sessions during December of 2007, in what later turned out to be Ostend Street Studios. At first, these sessions were a way for Miles, C.L. and Miles' cousin (by marriage) Mike Thiess to blow off steam, but the trio eventually realized they were becoming a band. Brandt was recruited in April of 2008 to complete Freeway 111’s current line-up.
Members:
Miles Bennett (Drums/Vocals) miles@freeway111.com-- For starters, my real name is Miles Rosen, but in order to keep fans from busting down my door, blowing up my phone, and disrupting my private life, I chose to use the alias. Damn! I just gave it away. In addition to beating the snot out of my drums, I also like to jam on my Les Paul in the nude, experiment with high explosives, and watch the Wedding Channel.
Besides that, my wife and I gave birth to a beautiful little girl in December 2008 named Harley...and she's just deliciously adorable! We live in Baltimore City with our 2 little boy kitties Bohnam (named after Johnny Boy) and Woodie.
I love Rock & Blues tunege, with mad respect going out to the old school rock of the 60's and 70's from The Beatles, Zeppelin, Floyd, Rush, Bad Company, and Aerosmith to name a few. I also love the heavier stuff from Priest and Maiden to Thrash's best bands, Megadeth and Exodus, and much in between. Anyone that knows me though, knows I'm a "die hard" Black Crowes fan. In fact, I've seen them at least 25 times over the past 15 years and am already planning for the next tour. In terms of my drumming influences, for sure I learned most of my chops from John Bohnam, Neil Peart, and Phil Rudd (AC/DC). I think my playing style in Freeway certainly represents the 3 of them combined, but of course, they blow me away! Currently, I'm listening to a lot of different stuff such as Stone Sour, Black Stone Cherry, Buckcherry, Shinedown, Nada Surf, Sherly Crow, Liz Phair, Enuff Z Nuff, Weezer, Stereophonics, Hole, and local boys Cinder Road
Oh, and one last thing...I love Mike Thiess!
Brandt Huseman (Bass Guitar/Vocals) bhuseman@freeway111.com-- For starters, my real name is Miles Rosen but you can’t have two Miles Rosens in the same band… right? I’m actually kind of irritated at Miles because we were trying to get him to take a stage name for years; Miles Ronson. How rock and roll is that? Oh well, I can’t stay mad at him for long.
I just discovered the Enoch Pratt Library and I’m having a blast filling in gaps in my music collection as well as reading some great graphic novels. Besides that I enjoy making music out in my garage, and hanging out with my wife and our two dogs.
I hadn’t played bass in quite a while before Ira recruited me for Freeway 111. I guess my playing style was gleaned (uh… ripped off) from Paul McCartney, although I was also a big fan of the Replacements and The Smiths when I started playing oh so many years ago. I really enjoy playing bass to Ira’s songs, and Miles and Mike push me to play more “up front”, which is fun since it’s not something I normally do.
Besides that I work for the CIA. I can’t really tell you any more about it because it’s top secret.
C.L. Blake (Lead Vocals/Guitar) cl@freeway111.com-- I am a singer/songwriter born, raised, and currently residing Baltimore, MD, with my wife (sorry ladies, I'm married) and three sons, Cole, Landon and Blake, from whose names I've taken my nom de guerre. Along with twin brothers Matt and Brandt Huseman, I co-fronted the tragically overlooked and underpaid 90’s power pop band, The Greenberry Woods (Note to all aspiring musicians: when negotiating a record deal advance, have your manager gross up for the taxes!). After a hiatus from songwriting and performing, I started writing and recording again in late 2007 and, looking to spend more time around middle aged men, formed Freeway 111 with long-time friends, Miles Bennett, Mike Thiess, and Brandt Huseman.
It is a known fact that had I not become close friends with Miles in college, I would today be a rich successful lawyer with a big house, fancy cars, and all the toys in the world. Instead, I left law school, grew my hair, drove around the country in a putrid blue van for three years, and ended up penniless and working in a liquor store where I was known as “Little Mike”. Is it any wonder I took a hiatus from the music business?
Freeway 111 is a great project to be a part of. With an average age that will always remain at 39 ½, we speak to all those who have lived a little, maybe regret getting that 4th tattoo, and those who are quickly coming realize that drinking heavily on a Saturday night guarantees at least a three day recovery period. We hope you come out to see us sometime.
Mike Thiess (Lead Guitar/Vocals) mike@freeway111.com-- For starters, my real name is…..Mike Thiess! Yes, I’m the guy who married Miles’cousin in ’96 with the full intention that it someday may lead to us being in the same band.
Let’s just say that I’m the oldest guy in the group, but I haven’t given up on the lifelong dream of making music for a living. If experience has taught me anything, it’s that you cannot succeed without real chemistry. Freeway 111 has plenty.
I learned to play guitar by ear in my teens (while also drumming), and had a few years of formal training with musician/composer/genius Larry Hoffman in Baltimore. It would take 20 pages to list all my influences, so just a few will do. I dig the “feel” players…..Jimi, Gilmore, SRV, Uli Roth, Steve Hillage, Glen Tipton, Dave Murray, Zappa,etc.
I’m five-ten, blonde, smoker/drinker and my interests include: playing guitar, walks on the beach, good food/drinks, my loving wife Marni and son Archie, our pets( dog, 2 cats, fish), and Freeway 111.
