Classic rock and originals band formed by bass guitarist Carey Ziegler, a veteran of many Baltimore/Annapolis area bands.
Originally formed in 1998 with ex-Band of 1000 Names members Ziegler (bass), Cathy Zebron (guitar, vocals), and Dave Glaser (guitar), with Glenn Workman (keyboards), and Greg Phillips (drums ex-Starpoint). Later rounding out their sound with the Re-Tox Horns of J.J. Gunning Jr. (trombone ex-Gazze, Heat & Cold Sweat Horns), Cliff Bigoney (trumpet –Ray Birely Big Band, Howard Burns Quartet…), and Dave Rhen (sax –ex Dave Woodward band). In late ’98 they alternated a second horn section that included Todd Butler (trumpet –TSU Jazz Band, Todd Butler Group…), Barry Caudill (sax ex-Heat & Cold Sweat Horns…), and Jeff Chiavarini (trombone ex-All Mighty Senators). Butler and Chiavarini went on to join the Junkyard Saints… A “permanent” horn section of J.J. Gunning, Dave Makowiecki, and Barry Caudill existed from ’98 to ’03. In ’03 Jim McFalls replaced Gunning on trombone as part of the permanent section.
Known as Carey Ziegler’s Expensive Hobby, early advertisements touted to “watch him lose money as he performs!” Always entertaining from the well performed intricate covers of ‘70s and ‘80s horn laden artists such as Tower of Power, Chicago, McCartney, Beatles, Zappa, White Trash… to the witty and sometimes irreverent spoken humor between songs.
Expensive Hobby performed regularly at the Windsor Inn, and many other clubs including the Zu, Rec Room, Daytona’s, Wishing Well, E. J. Bugs, The Loft…
Their 1998 CD “Short Stories” was heard on local radio stations 98 Rock, and WRNR. The group also made an appearance on the WMAR-TV program “Wake Up Baltimore.” The album featured Ziegler (bass, vocals), Zebron (vocals), Glaser (guitar), Workmann (keyboards), Phillips (drums on one track), Gunning (trombone), with studio appearances by Ron Zebron (guitar –Never Never), Bobby Hird (guitar), Rick Witkowski (guitar), Paul Reed Smith (guitar solo on one track), Shep Tullier (keyboards), Nat Kerr (keyboards), Winn Krozack (keyboards), Joey D’Amico (drums), Gregory John Tracey (drums on one cut), Dave Makowiecki (trumpet), and Paul Soroka (sax).
In 2000 Phillips left to join D.C. based recording artist Najee. He was replaced with Mark St. Pierre (studio drummer for many artists including Commonbond, Gumption Band…) Also, in 2000 Glaser left and was replaced with Andy Shriver (guitar ex-Shor Patrol, Cruel Shoes, Junior Cline & Recliners, David Bach Consort…).
The CZEH 2003 CD release “The Adventures of Elliott Finesse” featured Carey on bass along with basically his established road band of Andy Shriver (guitar, vocals), Glenn Workman (keyboards, vocals), Mark St. Pierre (drums, percussion, vocals), Barry Caudill (sax, flute), J.J. Gunning (trombone, didgeridoo), and Dave Makowiecki (trumpet, flugelhorn, accordion).
Makowiecki also appears on recordings by the Christopher James Band.
The group went through numerous personnel changes through the years and continued to be a favorite throughout the local night club circuit through the ‘20s at the Windsor Inn, Golden Sports Bar, Loafers, Patapsco Inn, E.A. Poe’s, Columbia Lakefront, Lurman Woodland Theater, Stables…
Carey also performed with Roy Buchanan, appears on Edgar Winter’s 1985 album “Mission Earth” (also with guitarist Vince Santoro), and a long-time member of Crack the Sky…
1998(CD) Harmony Cottage CZ001 Short Stories
2003(CD) Harmony Cottage 8002129990-2 The Adventures of Elliott Finesse
