Dirty Faces History

The initial inception of the Dirty Faces Motorcycle Club was initiated by "Stokey" in the Washington, DC/Maryland area in 2004. At the time, Stokey was a lone rider without any club affiliation. It was at this time he began wearing a cut that read "Angel With a Dirty Face", reminiscent of a 1938 James Cagney movie by the same name which told of a lone individual who was considered in public to be of bad character, but who was actually honorable behind closed doors. The words "Angel" and "Dirty" were also a play on the designations given to firefighters who are often called angels due to their abilities to save lives and their soot faces resulting from the fires they fight.

After a few years of riding solo, in 2010 Stokey got together with two old friends and fellow firefighters, Cal and Pacemaker, to discuss forming a motorcycle club. All three men wanted to be a part of a collective group of motorcycle riders, but after doing research, couldn't find a club that fit their needs best. Other clubs in the area were thought to have too many rules and requirements that didn't fit their lifestyles, work schedules, etc. They felt their need for common loyalty, camaraderie, and ideals could best be achieved by constructing their own club. The club was formulated keeping in mind these credos, as well as the traditions that have been passed down through bike clubs from the beginning.

The original moniker, Angel(s) With a Dirty Face, was initially thought to be the club's official name. But after much research and thorough inquiry into the name, Pacemaker made the suggestion of shortening the name to Dirty Faces, the designation by which the club is known today.

After officially establishing the By-Laws and Rules &Regulations for the club, two additional like-minded men of the same caliber, Munch and Junior joined the club, rounding out the five Founders of Dirty Faces...the "FIRST 5".

Dirty Faces Motorcycle Club was officially founded in Camp Springs, MD on April 15, 2011 with five members. Stokey was established as President, Cal as Vice President, Pacemaker as Treasurer, Junior as Secretary, and Munch as Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Dirty Faces logo is a tribal mask symbolizing association and a community of customs and traditions, all of which symbolize what Dirty Faces stands for. Accordingly, in lieu of "chapters" the club has Tribes, which carries over to the naming of future chapters and the reference to its members as "Tribesmen". Although the club is open to all men, regardless of race or profession, the flames in the eyes of the mask were originally a symbol of some of the members' profession as firefighters. They are now thought to symbolize the members' passion for riding.

The Mission of the club is to share the enthusiasm of riding motorcycles and to give respect only when given.