The Dirty Middle
About
The Band
The Dirty Middle is a blues rock band from Frederick, Maryland. Adrienne Smith and husband Matt Felipe started the band with co-founder Justin Ehrlich, in 2016, and it has picked up a few more people since. The current lineup is five, and all five like it loud.
We write our own songs and play plenty of other people's in our own style. If you've been to Steinhardt, Guido's, Cafe Nola, Beans in the Belfry, or Carroll Creek on New Year's Eve, there's a decent chance you've heard us.
In 2018 the Frederick News-Post called us “one of Frederick's best secret weapons.” This year we're a top 5 finalist for Best Local Band, so the secret may be out.
Ten years, give or take
- 2016
The Dirty Middle starts
Adrienne, Matt, and Justin get the band going. Messing With the Kid and Losing Touch go up on SoundCloud.
- 2017
More songs
Change Weight, Heart of Stone, and The Ballad of Ensign Jimmy.
- 2018
An EP review and a One Take session
The Frederick News-Post calls us one of Frederick's best secret weapons. Frederick One Take films us playing Honey Bee at Mystery Ton Studios.
- 2019
Frederick Music Showcase
A showcase night at Guido's Speakeasy, plus Beans in the Belfry, where Frederick Playlist called us “just the best.”
- 2020
Four more songs
Green, Honey Bee, Mamma, and Shotgun, released about a week before everything shut down.
- 2022
Musician to Musician, and Could Be Better
Adrienne sits down with the News-Post, and the band talks shop (and the Grateful Dead) on the Could Be Better Podcast.
- 2024
New Year's Eve at Steinhardt
Six p.m. to one a.m. Pace yourself.
- 2025
Carroll Creek on New Year's Eve, and Alex joins on keys
Downtown Frederick's countdown stage. Come see us again at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater for NYE 2026!
- 2026
Five-piece, top 5, and back on the Creek
The News-Post previews our February show, we make the Best of the Best top 5, and Carroll Creek has us back for New Year's Eve.