Seriously, hanging out with Nikki Sixx, touring with Motley Crue for CrueFest 2, opening for Bon Jovi at Hershey Stadium, chillin with Tommy Lee…these guys are livin the rock star life. And, they love Pink Jams! We wanted to get to know the guys behind Charm City Devils a little better. So, we asked em some questions. Here is what CCD Frontman John Allen and Bass Guitarist Anthony Arambula had to say.

Q: .  Nikki Sixx from Motley Crue chose CCD to tour with them, and he describes the band as “a real rock band”, how cool is that?

A: (John) It was a surreal experience!  Being signed by such an infamous rock legend was incredible in it’s own right. Then to be asked to take part in Cruefest 2 opening the Main Stage for Motley Crue, Godsmack and Theory Of A Deadman was a total I must be dreaming moment.

A: (Anthony) It was an amazing opportunity we were given to tour with such established bands. For me having Nikki Sixx involved with Charm City Devils was a dream come true. As a kid he influenced me with respect to  playing bass and showmanship. Dr. FeelGood was one of my first records and live shows I attended! It was awesome!!

Q: Who are your musical influences?

A: (John) My influences are all over the map.  But, I really love the legendary Bluesman Robert Johnson, White Stripes, Zeppelin, AC/DC, Stones, Aerosmith, The Hives, Ramones.  Usually raw, blues based music is what gets me off.

A: (Anthony) Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Sound Garden,  Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine.

Q: What was your strangest experience on tour/with the band?

A: (John) We saw a church somewhere in Ohio that had the John Bonham symbol from Led Zeppelin 4 on it’s roof!

A: (Anthony) We were all hanging at the buses and Tommy Lee had these sick fireworks he was setting off. They were the real deal, the kind they set off at the National Mall on July 4.  These things were bouncing off the tour buses, it was like was like dodging bullets. Tommy went to light a set of fireworks and they back fired in his hands burning him pretty severely. The tour almost got cancelled due to that incident and reading about it online over the course of the next few days was a trip. I used to just read about this kind of stuff and now I was actually there watching it unfold. It was strange!

Q: What’s a normal day like for you?

A: (John) Get up, then pump myself up with massive amounts of coffee! Walk downstairs to my home recording studio and continue my path to complete RAWK deafness!

A: (Anthony) It’s busy!  Family, Work, Rehearsal, Exercise, Sleep!

Q: Why did you get involved with Pink Jams! and the promotion of breast cancer awareness?

A: (John) My mother is a breast cancer survivor so the cause is very close to my heart.

A: (Anthony) For me, having the opportunity to be a part of this hits extremely close to home with respect to cancer. Awareness is key!  Cancer is a horrible disease no matter the type, millions of people are affected by it.  I lost my mother to GBM – Brain Cancer a few years ago and my Aunt is a breast cancer survivor. May God bless all who are affected by breast cancer and every other type of cancer and let’s keep fighting for a cure!

As a footnote: The song ‘Almost Home’ on CCD’s debut album was written about John’s family dealing with the news that his mother had breast cancer. Thanks guys for everything you do, and for your support of Pink Jams! Can’t wait to watch you in October!! Let’s Rock n’Roll!