Big Mess is a band made up of veteran musicians who enjoy laughing and having a good time and most of all – playing music together.  Their backgrounds are diverse but all have this one common thread running through them and that’s heritage.  They love to rock and they love mayhem, but when these guys put these two main ingredients together, you get a high voltage raw and uncensored brilliance that keeps the audiences coming each and every time. Members of Big Mess are the right musicians who have the right personalities, the right state of mind and live for one purpose..... to deliver the goods.

Big Mess tour the Southwest states throughout the year and have garnered fans around the world including over 10,000 followers on Facebook.  The band's last full-length release I Am American earned Big Mess the Best Alternative Band and Best Rock Recording honors at the Indie Music Channel Awards. The band's song Soul Surfers is featured on the soundtrack to the motion picture High School (2010) starring Adrien Brody and Colin Hanks.

Just "a few" of the bands that Big Mess have shared the stage with: Iggy Pop, Rage Against the Machine, Social Distortion, Ice T, Snoop Dog, The Go Go's, Blondie, The Stranglers, The Damned, TSOL, The English Beat, Bow Wow Wow, A Flock of Seagulls, The Adolescents, Big Country, 999, The Alarm,  Mary's Danish, The Goo Goo Dolls, The Dead Boys, X, 4 Non Blondes, L7, L.A. Guns and Bang Tango.

2021 saw the release of a new Big Mess album, "Mid-Life Crisis," and is available on CD and MP3. This follow-up to the their award-winning full-length release "I Am American" was produced by Paul Roessler and Chad Carrier. The album also features Jack Grisham (TSOL) singing lead vocals on two tracks. Click HERE for more details.

 

Meet The Band


Chad Carrier (Bass/Guitar/Vocals)  Chad started right in the middle of the punk scene with a group called Easter (Chameleon Records / Capitol EMI) who were one of the early pioneers of the 80’s sound.  He's played on hit songs featured on the world famous KROQ as well as VH1 and MTV.  He lives his life large and enjoys every moment of it.  After Easter he joined the intense and volatile, almost all-girl band Lovedog.  With an album released in Germany and tours of Europe and the West Coast, the band were courted by but not signed by any major labels causing the disintegration of the band.  He found local success with Black Eyed Susans, CC at the Jackpot Prize and Irish music sensations the Shillaly Brothers who were nominated for an Academy Award for their song Pop from the movie White Irish Drinkers. Ready to start something fresh and without pretense, and full of piss and vinegar, Chad formed the band Big Mess...... the rest is history in progress.

Bernie Deal (Drums/Vocals)  Bernie hails from the old school punk rock era.  Originally from Maryland, he’s a musician’s drummer easily tackling styles from rock to metal to funk.  He first made a name for himself playing with The Blob. He can play anything and that's one of the main reasons he’s with Big Mess. 

Dave Corradi (Guitar/Vocals)  A veteran guitarist  in the Los Angeles / Orange County club scene, Dave has played with many top level bands like Danny Dean and The Homewreckers and easter. He is the perfect balance for the Mess.

Ron Hopkins (Guitar/Vocals) Longtime singer-guitarist-songwriter has played with I Mad Man, The Unfit Mothas and fronted Beyond Reason with an album release of Sit in Silence. This was followed by Less Better and now Big Mess, which he says is the most versatile and fun band he has ever played with. He is surely in it for "the right reasons".

Billy Caldwell (Keyboards/Guitar/Drums/Vocals) Always Johnny on the spot whatever instrument that's required. He is the founding member of Million Kids and an all around great musician.

Jarmyn Cowen (Drums) veteran drummer with many great socal bands. A rocker a roller and keeping the beat. The master of the Rythm and keeping the party alive. 

 

 

 

Big Mess Alumni

 
Rex Bailey (guitar/vocals) started his career with his father playing jazz and bebop.  Before switching to guitar, Rex first started out as an accomplished drummer. He was the original drummer for the hit makers Ambrosia and played also spent time playing with the Doobie Brothers. When he switched over to six-strings he played with the popular Irish music band the Shillaly Brothers (along with Chad Carrier) and also played with the late great Dave Travis. He is known to be one of the best guitar players around.  He delivers with genuine raw emotion and his guitar sings every time he puts his fingers on the strings.


 

Marc Bailey (vocals/percussion) was added in to fill out the vocal harmonies with his brother Rex.  His addition made for a richer sound all around. This resulted in being that much desired cherry on top. 


Doug Birns (lead guitar) Is no stranger to the L.A. music scene. His credits include the popular 80s and 90s rock bands  Rock City Angels and Lovedog. He joined Big Mess in late 2014 after the exit of Rex Bailey now playin with Tramp For The Lord.

Matty "Soccermom" Goodman (rhythm guitar) boasts an impressive musical pedigree having previously played for the likes of Soccermom, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Jon Fracshonte (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and Los Microwaves. Matty joined Big Mess in late 2014.


John Garber (Guitar and Vocals) Is no stranger to the L.A. music scene. His credits include rock and roll and great songwriting. He joined Big Mess in late 2015. Left in late 2017 to start a new project.