DEFEND YOUR RIDE: Chris At Charles Village

Q: Why doesn't your car have a nickname?

A: I never got around to it. Some people give their car a nickname. Some people have a guitar and call it B.B. King or Lucille or whatever, but I don't know, that's just not the kind of guy I am.

Q: Did you not give your car a nickname because you love it too much?

A: I don't subscribe to the myth that the car is the gateway to so many other things, or so much a part of your life that it's like a child to you. The enjoyment I get from this car is a practical, functionality thing. It's been very reliable.

Q: Do you have a favorite feature?

A: It has a pretty big trunk, if I have to haul a lot of stuff. There are some things I can't fit in the car. But for my purposes, it's served me great.

Q: What is your car's main use?

A: Mostly I go to work. I also run a record label. Sometimes I'll have a whole lot of stuff I need to take to the post office. Today I put a little over 200 records in the car and I still had room to spare.

Q: What's the most stuff you've hauled in it?

A: A band and their equipment. I drove a band from Australia around for a tour. Somehow I fit three people, an entire backline, and everything they brought to the United States in my car. It was a tight squeeze. Everyday it was like playing Tetris to get the amp in, get the drum in, and get everybody's suitcases in.

Q: How long were they touring here?

A: It was a little over a week. I picked them up in New York. From there we hit Philly, Baltimore, and D.C. Then my friend Dan picked them up and drove them from D.C. to Florida.

Q: Do you think riding around in your car enhanced their experience of America?

A: I'd like to think so. There are some things you can only see in America if you're driving. If you fly or take a train, you don't get to experience the same things that you do when you drive.

Q: What were you guys listening to?

A: I pretty much only listen to the tape I have of Pretty Hate Machine by Nine Inch Nails.

Q: Do you have any rules when people are in your car?

A: I encourage people not to smoke. Sometimes if they're particularly drunk and I'm driving, they'll lean out the window with the cigarette. But I don't smoke, so I don't really allow smoking inside.

Q: Have you ever had to fix anything?

A: I used to work in Fells Point. One day I walked to my car because you know, you can't park in that part of Fells without having to pay for it. So I walked like eight or nine blocks and when I got to my car, it and three other cars next to it were smashed. My driver's side mirror got knocked off. My wheel got banged into and I had to replace the tire. I actually learned how to change a tire that day.

Q: It was your first time?

A: Yeah. I posted about it on Facebook. My friend saw it and sent me a message that said he was driving through there and to let him know when I needed help.

Q: What do you think your next car will realistically be?

A: Honestly, I'm not thinking that far ahead. I expect this car has at least another 50,000 miles.