Brickfoot is an American rock band formed in 1996 in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded by childhood friends Steve Herneker (vocals, guitar) and Jay Hammen (drums), the band’s original lineup also included Frank Chiovaro (guitar) and Che Smith (bass). Known for their distinctive blend of psychedelic funk, sixties-flavored rock, indie rock, and elements of classic rock, Brickfoot gained regional acclaim through their energetic performances and diverse musical style. Over the decades, the band achieved national exposure through appearances on MTV’s The Real World, Road Rules, and The Jenny Jones Show, won prestigious competitions, and recorded with renowned industry professionals.   

Formation and Early Years (1996–1998) 

Brickfoot was formed in 1996 in Baltimore, Maryland by childhood friends Steve Herneker and Jay Hammen. They were soon joined by Frank Chiovaro on guitar and Che Smith on bass. The early Brickfoot sound blended elements of 60s and 70s classic rock, modern alternative energy, and emerging indie sensibilities. Influences included The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and The Doors. 

In 1998, Brickfoot released their independent debut LP, Head. The album captured the raw and unfiltered energy of the band’s early live performances. That same year, Brickfoot secured a high-profile support slot opening for Fishbone, elevating their reputation on the East Coast circuit. 

Poly Carbon Lens and Regional Breakthrough (1998–2000) 

Following the release of Head, bassist Che Smith left the band in 1998 and was replaced by Gregory “Chipper” Wardrope, who added bass, rhythm guitar, and backup vocals to the lineup. 

In 2000, Brickfoot released their second full-length LP, Poly Carbon Lens, mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound. The album displayed Brickfoot’s evolving songwriting and stylistic depth. Critics praised the album for its infectious melodies and psychedelic undertones. Towson University’s Towerlight described it as “one of the most infectious pop sounds to hit the American market recently.” 

From 1999 to 2000, Brickfoot toured extensively in the Mid-Atlantic region, opening for national acts including Nine Days, Fastball, Me’Shell NdegeOcello, Brendan Benson, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Good Charlotte, and The Psychedelic Furs. 

National Exposure and Fresh, Hot, Live! (2000–2002) 

Brickfoot’s single “Surprise Ending” reached #1 on Billboard’s BroadbandTalent.net chart, where it stayed for 42 consecutive weeks. The success of the track gained the attention of industry executives and television producers. 

Thanks to the success of “Surprise Ending,” Brickfoot was invited to perform on The Jenny Jones Show during a nationally televised segment. Their appearance helped introduce their music to a wider national audience at a crucial stage of their career. 

Later in 2002, Brickfoot released Fresh, Hot, Live!, a hybrid live/studio album that included recordings produced with renowned engineer Shelly Yakus, known for his work with John Lennon, Stevie Nicks, and Tom Petty. City Paper praised Brickfoot for making “their influences work for them rather than against them.” 

Later that same year, Brickfoot won the national Lucky Strike “Band-to-Band Combat” competition, earning additional national performance slots and mentions in Rolling Stone and Spin magazines. 

Armed Forces Entertainment Tours (2001–2005) 

From 2001 to 2005, Brickfoot toured internationally through the Armed Forces Entertainment Network, performing for American and NATO troops across more than 20 countries and territories. These included Puerto Rico, Cuba, Italy, Spain, Greece, Honduras, Greenland, Guam, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Germany, Bosnia, Kosovo, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar. 

The tours exposed Brickfoot to international audiences and further solidified their reputation for dynamic and adaptable live performances. Playing for U.S. and NATO personnel abroad was a major chapter in Brickfoot’s career and personal growth. Hometown performances included an opening slot for Silversun Pickups at The Black Cat in Washington, D.C.  

All The Broken Pieces (2003–2005) 

In October 2003, following the death of major musical influence Elliott Smith, Brickfoot was invited to perform at the first Elliott Smith Tribute Show in Cambridge, Massachusetts, sharing the stage with Mary Lou Lord and other artists. The band subsequently performed at two additional Elliott Smith tribute events in Baltimore and Richmond in 2004. Smith’s emotionally direct songwriting and artistic sensibility had a profound impact on Brickfoot’s evolution, especially influencing Steve Herneker’s lyrical approach. 

Later in 2004, Brickfoot released All the Broken Pieces, a full-length LP that marked a creative and critical peak for the band. The album was mastered by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound, who along with George Marino (who had mastered Poly Carbon Lens) was one of the most respected mastering engineers in the industry. All The Broken Pieces expanded the band’s sonic palette while maintaining their signature melodic style. Songs from the album were featured on major MTV programs, including The Real World and Road Rules, broadening their exposure to a national television audience. 

The album received strong critical acclaim: 

Washington Post praised it as “a very refreshing pop/rock record that deserves national recognition.” 
 

Pennsylvania Musician described Brickfoot as “a successful crossover act just waiting to be discovered.” 
 

Baltimore Sun wrote that “Brickfoot should be the next proud product of Charm City to join the major leagues like our latest locals gone national, SR-71.” 
 

Final Armed Forces Entertainment Tour (2004–2005) 

Following the release of All the Broken Pieces, in the spring of 2005, Brickfoot was invited to perform for the American Ambassador to Honduras for a Fourth of July celebration prior to embarking on their final tour to Europe through the Armed Forces Entertainment Network later that summer. The band performed for American and NATO troops stationed in Germany, Bosnia, Austria, Belgium, and Kosovo. 

These final Armed Forces tours concluded a significant international performance era for Brickfoot and marked a transitional point toward the band’s next phase of creative development. 

Ship Studio Sessions and Recording of When I’m Gone (2005–2014) 

After returning from Europe in 2005, Brickfoot shifted their focus back to studio work. Inspired by their experiences, the band began recording new material both independently and in collaboration with respected producers. 

Between 2005 and 2007, Brickfoot traveled to Los Angeles for three separate recording sessions at The Ship, a professional recording studio in Eagle Rock, California. They worked closely with Aaron Espinoza of Earlimart and Jim Fairchild of Grandaddy and Modest Mouse. 

During these sessions, Espinoza and Fairchild helped Brickfoot further expand their production techniques while maintaining the band’s independent identity. These experiences significantly influenced Brickfoot’s long-term decision to operate as a fully self-produced band. 

The resulting album, “When I’m Gone,” explored the complex emotional struggles surrounding addiction, presenting its themes through a combination of introspective lyrics and layered, atmospheric instrumentation. Completed over several years, When I’m Gone was officially released in 2014. During that prolonged period, members engaged in various side projects to expand their musical horizons. Founding member Jay Hammen relocated to Tampa, Florida, and focused on writing and production. It was at this time that multi-instrumentalist, Steve Fisher, became a permanent fixture of the band with a primary focus on keyboards. Yet another addition to the Brickfoot extended family was drummer and percussionist, Mike Scerba, who lent his hard-hitting, Bonham-esque style of drumming to both studio and live performances. 

Lost Marbles Vol. I & II (2020) 

After several years of intermittent writing and recording, Brickfoot released Lost Marbles Vol. I and Lost Marbles Vol. II in 2020. These two full-length LPs compiled previously unreleased material, rare tracks, and new songs that captured the band’s journey from their earliest experimental recordings to their modern creative voice. The Lost Marbles series reflected both the band’s evolving sound and their dedication to preserving the full range of their creative history, including tracks that spanned multiple eras of their musical career. 

In addition, Lost Marbles Vol. I and Lost Marbles Vol. II were recorded and assembled during the COVID-19 quarantine period. These collections offer a deeper look into Brickfoot’s songwriting evolution, highlighting their commitment to DIY production, creative exploration, and independent artistic expression. 

Head…25 Anniversary Release (2023) 

In 2023, Brickfoot celebrated the 25th anniversary of their debut album Head by releasing Head…25, a remixed and remastered edition of the original album. The project involved carefully updating the original recordings to enhance audio quality while maintaining the raw energy that defined their early work. 

Head…25 was both a tribute to their beginnings and a reminder of how far Brickfoot had traveled musically over nearly three decades. 

Present Day (2025) 

Today, Brickfoot remains active in the studio but no longer tours extensively. The band continues to write, record, and produce new material independently at their home studio. Their musical legacy reflects a rare combination of perseverance, artistic growth, and commitment to creative authenticity. 

After nearly 30 years together, the members of Brickfoot — Steve Herneker, Frank Chiovaro, Gregory Wardrope, Steve Fisher, Michael Scerba, and Jay Hammen — continue to collaborate, blending classic influences with modern innovation. 

Band Members 

Current Members 

Steve Herneker – Lead and backup vocals, rhythm guitar, occasional keys, and percussion (1996–present) 
 

Frank Chiovaro – Lead, rhythm, and pedal steel guitars, backup vocals (1996–present) 
 

Gregory “Chipper” Wardrope – Bass guitar, occasional rhythm guitar, backup vocals (1998–present) 
 

Steve Fisher – Piano, keyboards, percussion, backup vocals, multi-instrumentalist (2009–present) 
 

Michael Scerba – Drums and percussion (2009–present) 
 

Jay Hammen – Drums, percussion, backing vocals (1996–2008); songwriting and production (2009–present) 
 

Former Members 

Che Smith – Bass guitar (1996–1998) 
 

Keith Duckworth – Piano, keyboards, backup vocals (2004–2008) 
 

Shane Burke – Piano, keyboards, backup vocals (2002–2004) 
 

Discography 

Head (1998) – LP 
 

Poly Carbon Lens (2000) – LP 
 

Fresh, Hot, Live! (2002) – LP 
 

All The Broken Pieces (2004) – LP 
 

When I’m Gone (2014) – LP 
 

Lost Marbles Vol. 1 (2020) – LP 
 

Lost Marbles Vol. 2 (2020) – LP 
 

Head…25 (2023) – LP