Several generations of subculture intersect in Towson, Md, at a crossroads of two projects created by Shane Gullivan.
features young, never-before-seen acts. Together, they merge Baltimore's has- beens with its up-and-comings.
“Saddleback” jeans were a tight-fitting garment, popular at the time, which showed Gullivan his first taste of success.
“They were a big hit. I was 19 and making $30,000,” he said.
But the product, as usual, went quickly in and out of style.
So, he moved into the big leagues, taking a job as a buyer for an account with Levi-Strauss. When he saw an opening in the company itself, he took it, and continued to move toward the bigger and better.
Gullivan worked his way up to product manager and eventually landed a position doing trades and imports in the Orient, which ironically lead to his departure from the company and the advent of Ten Car Pile Up.
Thus, the store and the name were born. Gullivan put his skills to work creating a unique vintage clothing store offering redesigns and garments available nowhere else. The apparel is collected from auctions and thrift shops, and then redesigned.
While not the bourgeoisie life that the young Shane Gullivan once dreamt of, it was a beneficial move in other ways.
“Is it a monetary success? No. But for me, it was a lifestyle choice,” he said.
After buying the space, Gullivan befriended several locals who frequented his store. They told him about having trouble finding venues willing to let them perform, and he decided to help.
“They hadn’t rented the space out for like 20 years, and they shot me down a couple times, but finally agreed,” he said. As it turns out, the landlord was worried about nothing.
Following that, Gullivan made a deal for twelve shows the following year. The venue still has the original sign from that night – “If I find any @#$! On these walls, no more shows!” – displayed, and the shows still go on once a month.
The shows aren’t a real source of profit, but they have managed to generate recognition across the country.
Being able to provide exclusive apparel and promote music is what makes Ten Car Pile Up such a personal success.