20 Years of Mayhem: 20 Moments That Rocked!
From Lips & Bones to Rock ’n’ Roll Legends — Two Decades of Music, Fashion, Friendship & Mayhem!
1. Where It All Began — The Original Lips & Bones
Every story has a beginning, and for Metal Babe Mayhem, it started with the original Lips & Bones logo, designed by Bill Bronson. That design became my first Metal Babe Mayhem T-shirt and was also incorporated into one of my earliest pieces of jewelry—a guitar pick necklace. I had no idea at the time how much the brand would grow, but the Lips & Bones logo helped establish the combination of music, fashion, and rock ‘n’ roll attitude that would become the foundation of Metal Babe Mayhem.
2. Finding My Place as a Rock ’n’ Roll Journalist
In 2008, Rock City News took a chance on me and gave me my first column, Metal Babe’s Rockin’ Reviews. That opportunity became an important part of my journey as a music journalist. When Rock City News eventually closed its doors, I continued with All Access Magazine and later Sin City Presents. Over the years, I also contributed to Rock N’ Roll Industries, Highwire Daze, and other music publications and websites, with my work appearing in outlets including Metal Sludge and Metal Edge. Writing gave me another way to support the music community and helped establish that Metal Babe Mayhem was about much more than merchandise—it was about the music itself.
3. The MBM Playlist
Music has always been at the heart of Metal Babe Mayhem, so creating the MBM Playlist was a natural extension of the brand. The playlist gave me another way to introduce people to bands I believed in, spotlight established favorites, and support independent artists who deserved to be heard. It represented one of the things I have always loved most about Metal Babe Mayhem: being able to connect people through music and hopefully introduce someone to their next favorite band or song.
4. Metal Babe MAYhem
One of my favorite traditions became Metal Babe MAYhem, turning the month of May into a celebration of the brand, music, friends, and the rock community. Over the years, Metal Babe MAYhem has included events, performances, promotions, vendors, giveaways, and collaborations. What started as a fun play on the Metal Babe Mayhem name became an annual opportunity to bring people together and celebrate everything that MBM represents.
5. Rock Your Hot Mess with Brooke Lewis
One of the most unique collaborations in Metal Babe Mayhem history was Rock Your Hot Mess with Brooke Lewis. Brooke Lewis brought her signature personality, confidence, and positive energy to Metal Babe Mayhem, creating a collaboration that celebrated individuality and encouraged people to embrace exactly who they are. It was a perfect example of how MBM has been able to branch beyond clothing and music into projects centered around creativity, empowerment, friendship, and having fun.
6. Memorable NAMM Moments
NAMM has provided so many unforgettable Metal Babe Mayhem memories over the years. One highlight was collaborating with Al Bane for Leather on a custom guitar strap displayed with Zemaitis Guitars. Another incredible moment was a photo opportunity through Rock N’ Roll Industries Magazine with Zak Stevens of Savatage/Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Michael Angelo Batio, and David Shankle. I also worked with Rock the Clock, incorporating guitar picks and guitar parts into clocks and jewelry. NAMM has always been a place where musicians, artists, designers, manufacturers, and friends come together, making it a natural home for Metal Babe Mayhem.
7. MBM Music LLC
As Metal Babe Mayhem expanded, so did my involvement in the music business, eventually leading to MBM Music LLC, a partnership I created with Chris Mulford and an entire Team. This gave me another avenue to work directly with artists and support music beyond interviews and merchandise. From promotion and artist development to management, bookings, events, and behind-the-scenes support, MBM Music allowed me to take everything I had learned through years in the rock community and put it to work helping musicians move their careers forward.
8. Adding Licensed Band Merchandise
Another exciting milestone was expanding Metal Babe Mayhem to include officially licensed band merchandise. Since the brand was created from my love of music in the first place, being able to offer merchandise representing actual bands alongside my original Metal Babe Mayhem designs felt like a natural evolution. It strengthened the idea of MBM as a one-stop rock shop, where music fans could find original alternative fashion while also representing some of the artists they love. We currently carry licensed band merch from Motley Crue, Metallica, Motorhead, Slayer, David Bowie, AC/DC, and more.
9. Making the Wall at the Rainbow Bar & Grill
For anyone who has spent years in the Los Angeles rock scene, The Rainbow Bar & Grill is much more than a restaurant—it is part of rock ‘n’ roll history. Having my photos added to the wall at the Rainbow was an incredibly meaningful moment for me. After years of interviews, shows, events, friendships, and countless nights spent supporting the music community, seeing my pictures become a small part of that history was something I will always treasure.
10. The Metal Babe Mayhem Tattoo Club
There are fans—and then there are people who permanently put Metal Babe Mayhem on their bodies! The Metal Babe Mayhem Tattoo Club celebrates the incredible people who have gotten MBM-related tattoos. Seeing something I created become meaningful enough to someone that they want to wear it permanently is one of the biggest compliments I could ever receive. Every tattoo has its own story, and the Tattoo Club has become one of the most personal and meaningful parts of the Metal Babe Mayhem journey.
Thank you to: Gail Sutton, Crystal Martin, Aaron Bennett Dykstra, Jaz Eastman, Earl Trout, Johnny Jetson, Boo McClain, Tonya Braden, Michelle Nugent, David King, Claudia Marlenee, Scottiey Kessler, Wendy Morgan Dent, and Jeff Baldonado. Who’s next?
11. When Entire Bands Started Wearing Metal Babe Mayhem
The first time an entire band wore Metal Babe Mayhem was Corners of Sanctuary, while MBM helped bring them from the East Coast to the West Coast for a tour. Seeing the whole band representing my brand onstage was an incredible moment. That was followed by bands including LA Story and Faith and Bullets wearing Metal Babe Mayhem in their entirety as well. There is something especially rewarding about seeing musicians wearing my designs while doing exactly what inspired me to create this company in the first place—playing music.
12. Seeing Metal Babe Mayhem on Musicians I Admire
One of the most surreal parts of the past 20 years has been seeing musicians I grew up on wearing Metal Babe Mayhem onstage and in videos. Over the years, MBM has been represented by members of bands including L.A. Guns, Armored Saint, TUFF, Poison, and more, including Tracii Guns, Jeff Duncan, Troy Patrick Farrell, Stevie Rachelle, Bret Michaels, and Rikki Rockett. Every time I see one of my designs on a musician, it still gives me that same feeling of excitement and reminds me why I started Metal Babe Mayhem. This is a full circle moment.
13. Interviewing Rock Icons
Interviews have been one of my favorite parts of the Metal Babe Mayhem journey. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to sit down with musicians whose music has reached fans around the world, including Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche, Ville Valo of HIM, Mr. Lordi of Lordi, Mark Slaughter of Slaughter, Jeff Labar of Cinderella, members of Savatage, and many others. Every interview has given me the chance to learn something new about the person behind the music and share those stories with fellow fans. Those conversations are an important part of the history I have documented through Metal Babe Mayhem. This is another full circle moment.
14. Bringing More Artists into Metal Babe Mayhem
As the brand grew, I wanted Metal Babe Mayhem to represent more than my own creative vision. I began collaborating with additional artists, including Steven Talbott, Robert Thompson, and Sean Arenas, whose artwork helped expand the variety of styles and designs available through MBM. Working with other artists has allowed the brand to evolve while continuing to keep the Metal Babe Mayhem concept and theme intact.
15. The “Metal Babe Minute”
Radio became another way for me to share music news, events, bands, and everything happening in the Metal Babe Mayhem world when I joined This, That and the Other Radio Show with the Metal Babe Minute. Having my own recurring segment gave me a new platform and a new challenge—taking my experiences with Metal Babe Mayhem and packing it into a radio segment. It is another fun chapter that allowed me to combine my love of media, music, and connecting with an audience. We even have a theme song!
16. The Official Metal Babe Mayhem Commercial
Metal Babe Mayhem created its own official commercial, directed by Matt Zane of Society 1. Having someone with Matt's creative background bring MBM to life on camera was an exciting milestone for the brand. The commercial captured the rock ‘n’ roll image and attitude of Metal Babe Mayhem in an entirely new format and gave us another creative way to show people what the brand was all about.
17. From T-Shirts to Custom Metal Babe Mayhem Products
What started with a T-shirt and guitar pick necklace eventually grew into hundreds of products and some truly unique custom pieces. Over the years, I have created everything from a Metal Babe bobblehead and custom shoes to leather cuffs, aLips & Bones necklace, Horns Up necklace, and much more. I have always loved experimenting with new ways for people to incorporate rock ‘n’ roll into what they wear and use every day. Watching MBM evolve from a handful of products into a complete lifestyle brand has been one of the most rewarding parts of the past 20 years.
18. The Impromptu Metal Babe Mayhem Fashion Show
Sometimes the best moments are the ones you don't plan. One of those was an impromptu Metal Babe Mayhem fashion show in Santa Ana. What began spontaneously turned into a chance to see MBM clothing come to life on real people, surrounded by music and the energy of the rock community. It perfectly captured the spirit of Metal Babe Mayhem—creative, spontaneous, and fun.
19. Bringing Metal Babe Mayhem Into Retail Stores
Another exciting milestone was seeing Metal Babe Mayhem move beyond online sales and into retail stores. Over the years, MBM products have been carried at shops including Glad Rags, (St. Charles, MO) 80s World, (Branson, MO) Meow Meowz, (Pasadena, CA) Ravens and Rockers, (Tampa, FL) and other independent retailers. Having my designs displayed in brick and mortar stores gave new customers a chance to discover the brand in person, try pieces on, and experience Metal Babe Mayhem alongside other alternative and rock-inspired fashion. Each retail partnership helped expand the reach of MBM and reinforced how much the brand has grown from those first few products into something people can find both online and out in the real world.
20. Metal Babe Mayhem & Al Bane for Leather at Hair Nation
One of my favorite event events was teaming up with Al Bane for Leather for a Metal Babe Mayhem / Al Bane for Leather Step and Repeat at Hair Nation at Irvine Meadows. It was amazing to see so many musicians stop by, take photos, and be part of the experience, including members of Pretty Boy Floyd, TUFF, Enuff Z’Nuff, Trixter, Extreme, and more. Having the Metal Babe Mayhem name represented alongside so many bands from the rock world made this an especially memorable event and a great example of the relationships and collaborations MBM has built within the music community over the years.
20 Years Later...
Looking back at these highlights, what means the most to me isn't any single product, interview, musician, event, or accomplishment. It's that something I started in 2006 because of my lifelong love of music and fashion is still here 20 years later.
Metal Babe Mayhem has allowed me to design, write, interview artists, work with bands, put on events, support musicians, collaborate with incredibly talented people, travel, make lifelong friendships, and become part of a rock ‘n’ roll community that has given so much back to me.
Twenty years later, I'm incredibly grateful to every musician, artist, photographer, model, writer, venue, customer, friend, and supporter who has been part of this journey.
Metal Babe Mayhem — Where Music and Fashion Meet.
