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Charles Lewis: The Man Behind the "Mask"1963-2009 Having started in BJJ and NHB with the Gracies in 1988, and having been in it continuously since then, I've seen the rise (and often the fall) of most everyone now in the sport. One of the constants from the mid-90s on were Charles and Dan, aka the TapouT Crew. I've known the Crew from their earliest days in the sport since before they sold tee-shirts at the gas station outside Terry Trebilcock's KOTC at Soboba Casino. They used to be fixtures at all the small, grassroots BJJ and NHB shows, supporting the promoters, encouraging the fighters, and trying to get the sport noticed.
Their leaders, Dan and Charles, aka Punkass and Mask, played off each other like a demented Laural and Hardy, each with a different personality but both with the same purpose and focus - an unrelenting desire to promote NHB, as it was then called. As they became more popular and as the money rolled in, they stayed uniquely true to themselves and never went "Hollywood," which is something that very few of those from back in the day, who are now popular, can say. If you see their TV show today they are still out there at the smaller grassroots shows, looking to build the sport by building the people in it. The TapouT that the world now sees is only a small part of what Dan and Charles are...and for every Ferrarri they might drive or every TV show you might see them on there were countless hours spent sleeping all night in a broken down van, eating leftovers from the fighters' buffet, or scrounging enough loose change to get gas money home. The real TapouT and the real Charles Lewis were not built on the glamor that people might now think, but rather consistent, stressful and backbreaking effort over an extended period of time. Although everyone might want to be the TapouT Crew now, I guarantee you that no one wanted to be the TapouT Crew back then. No one else wanted to work that hard! But Charles always had a kind word for everyone and he and Dan and 'Skrape and Joey and El Joker were never too busy to encourage a loser in a fight or slap someone who was down on their luck on the back and yell "Represent!" They made you feel good about being part of a sport that didn't really exist yet. I remember when I started Grappling Magazine in 1998 and was traveling the world on my own time and largely my own money, taking photos and writing articles about NHB when no one wanted to spend any time doing it. The only people I would consistently see was the Crew. I know they felt as sorry for me as I felt for them! I would throw them a free ad here and there and mention them constantly in my articles, and in return I remember them giving me a trophy for the Martial Arts Magazine of the Year in 2001 for Grappling. It was a huge, gaudy, heavy, and completely ridiculous piece of glass weighing 50 lbs or more - but I still have it and treasure it to this day as one of my prized momentos. Not because of its size or what it says, but because of how much I know it had to cost them when they were broke. But yet they scraped the money together to buy it for me just because they wanted to show appreciation. When somebody is virtually penniless and yet they still do something like that it means infinitely more than a million bucks from someone who can afford it. A year later they did the same thing for Mark Komuro, my graphic designer, giving him a nice trophy for Designer of the Year. Could they afford it? No way. Did they do it anyway? Hell, yes.That was just how the TapouT Crew rolled - and still rolls.
I don't see them as much anymore today, but I do see them occasionally. So when I got the text from Dan with the terrible news about Charles' accident I was stunned for a moment and then overwhelmed with a flood of memories about what the sport used to be and about what it really stands for. For me it will always be not about the PPV money, or the huge purses, or the giant fighter and promoter egos, or the $1500 tickets that the real fans can't afford, or the celebrity UFC Vegas crowds showing up just to be seen. It will be about two guys traveling the country in a broken down van, making tee-shirts in a one-bedroom apartment, going to underground shows in warehouses, parking lots and backyards, promoting the sport just because they wanted the fighters and fans to know that someone cared. In a nutshell, that is everything Charles "Mask" Lewis stood for. In the interview below, which was done in 2002, you'll get a feel for who the REAL Mask was. This is how I still think of Punkass, El Joker, 'Skrape, Joey, and all the different incarnations of the Crew. And it is how I will always remember Charles "Mask" Lewis. The Tapout Crew - NHB’s X-Men An Interview with Charles Lewis from 2003 Mixed martial arts is extreme, fast, furious, and adrenaline driven. There is no middle ground. No lukewarm milk. No fence sitting. Everything about it is politically incorrect yet brutally honest. The heroes are the ones who win and the losers those who fall in defeat. The masters are the ones who exit the cage standing.
In other sports, there is always someone else to blame - a missed block, a dropped pass, a blown coverage. Not so in mixed martial arts. It is private, solitary and reflects the self-reliant nature of the lone gunslinger or the knight errant. Fans and fighters follow the sport not because of any future reward they might receive but just “because.” Mixed martial arts is truly a grassroots sport and what America wants to see. The Tapout Crew is an extension of the fun, excitement, and intense emotion that the sport of MMA has generated over the past few years. They eat, sleep, and breathe the sport 24/7/365. They travel, promote, educate, laugh, and joke - all while working to bring the sport to the attention of the general public. The Tapout Crew of five has emerged like a third eye and added some Tabasco sauce to the sport. They have dedicated themselves to bringing America what they have always searched for, but yet were too afraid to find. Leading the Tapout Crew is spokeslunatic Charles Lewis, the tall dude with no shirt and camouflage make-up. He’s part pointman, part quarterback, part cheerleader, and part mad monk. He is tiresome and tireless at the same time. When the networks, the Fox Televisions, and the ESPNs of the world finally open their eyes and realize that MMA is bigger that they ever dreamed of, much of the credit will go to the Charles Lewis’ and the Tapout Crews of the world - god help us all.
Q: What is your name?
A: I am Mask! Charles Lewis is long gone - may he rest in peace!
Q: What do you seek?
A: Adrenaline! Pure adrenaline, baby!
Q: What would change about MMA if you could?
A: I’m not here to change anything. That’s not my mindset, goal, or objective. Tapout is here to help bring this sport to a state of world domination. World @#%&*%$# wide! To add some spice! To stimulate! To bring some creativity! To support the fighters and encourage promoters to the fullest.
Q: The Tapout Crew has been called the X-Men of MMA. What does each of you represent in the comic book sense?
A: “Cartoon” or “comic” are not words I would use. It implies that what we do is for children - and that’s completely wrong! No $^#&%$ way! If you are not a mature adult and old enough to go to a video store and rent some adult movies then don’t even think about going to our website. You have to be of legal age to appreciate the sport and to experience the visual candy that adds to the sport - meaning all the fine young ladies. Hey, ring girls started with the sport of boxing ,and they have stayed with boxing. Mixed martial arts has fine woman to add to the mix and they will be here to stay, too! As far as each of us, Mask is the general - an entity. He has violent tendencies and is very militant. Skyskrape represents flamboyant silliness. I call him Clownie the Pimp! El Joker is a psychotic riddler. His insanity combines with horseplay makes him family to me. He loves to fight. That’s always interesting to watch. Joey is an American gigolo! The girls flock to him and he keeps them coming our way! Dan da’ Man is adrenaline business! Pure adrenaline business!
Q: Do you feel like a cartoon character because of the way you dress?
A: All my life I’ve been a character, living my life in my own head! It all makes sense now. That’s why you’ll NEVER see me wear white or see me any other way than in my makeup as Mask! I’m no longer concerned with who I was or where I came from. Why should anyone else be? As Mask says, “Welcome to my world. It now begins!”
Q: Your ride can be seen at events across the country. Traveling around in a van, do you feel like Scooby Doo?
A: Actually, I feel like the A-Team - on a mission with my hit squad of commandos - in route to search and destroy and represent something. Bold as hell, backing away from nothing and no one! Daring someone to step-up for some controversy. I’m ready! We’re here to bring it on, whatever it is! Madness ! Excitement! Mayhem! All the craziness! For the sole purpose of promoting mixed martial arts to the fullest.
Q: How many events do you travel to each year?
A: On a monthly average I would say about five or so. Our crew, our setup, our threads and gear that we sell at the events keeps the finances alive. We travel to all these events to keep promoting the sport and to make a few bucks while having tons of fun. We have a slew of shirts - you know the ones - they are called “bad” or “banned.” The ones that are not politically correct. So we take them and people who know always ask us for the shirts. We have them under the table! Just ask us for them at the events. Go call George Dubya if you want politically correct. Ours is what we call “clothing4yourmomma.” If you go ask her what to wear she’ll dress your ass in Tapout gear to represent! The people that buy our threads are not easily offended. Tapout gear has flash, attitude, strength, and boldness! That’s what we bring to the table!
Q: So what is the actual message you’re trying to portray to the public?
A: Its all about adrenaline, baby! I don’t know if there is actually a message or not. I am what I am. We are who we are. Go ahead and hate us or love us if you choose - but once you’ve seen the power and adrenaline of mixed martial arts you’ll be hooked! We’re engaged in a war to promote something you have to stand-up for. We are here to promote mixed martial arts to the highest degree. I am not afraid to get out there and represent a sport that needs a hero - someone who doesn’t care about getting out there and believing, even if its not the popular thing to do. We’re NHB’s X-Men. When you see us, you know what we’re about! I could care less if you want me in your face or not. I’m already in it! So go tell a friend! The Tapout Crew is here for you to hate! To jump under your skin to irritate! To grind, shake, rattle, and row, Tapout is here to stay, ready to go! Wow, that actually rhymed. Lucky. Hold on while I kiss myself!
The word “portray” is interesting if you look at it closely. If it means act to a way that you really aren’t, then maybe I should not cuss and watch my vulgar mouth. Then I would be portraying something politically correct - some fake, flaky punk portraying a smooth upbringing filled with no controversy. Man just the though of that $%&^^% makes me sleepy! Please next question. A feeling of overwhelming hibernation is taking over!
Q: How did you come up with the idea to wear costumes?
A: What costumes? The costumes are us - extensions of us so to speak. Punkass always looks like that - I always look this way. Joey always looks that way! El Joker’s hair always looks that way! It’s our mindset. Skyskrape’s clothes have never matched. Dan da Man always looks that way. We are intense, weird, and whacked - and it works. People are recognizing a movement to be the real deal and be yourself - that is why so many Tapout tattoos have emerged this past year. Everyone wants to identify with the madness and the fun. To me, if you are into my crew then you are into NHB and mixed martial arts. That’s all that matters! Buy some more pay-per-view, buy some more videos and DVDs, and attend as many events that you can. Let mixed martial arts swallow you whole and lets make this sport explode worldwide!
Q: Where do the ideas for your clothing designs come from?
A: All the ideas for the designs come from what I say and what I preach! Original, American, arrogant, and IN YA FACE!
Q: What is your favorite event?
A: The UFC - no question. That’s my heart and soul and the start of it all. They introduced MMA to the USA. Zuffa has been simply beautiful, bringing so much exposure to the sport! Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana White are dropping atomic bombs and the sport is spreading in unbelievable numbers. So the UFC first, definitely. There are many great events, though, something for all the fans - T.J. Thompson’s Super Brawl in Hawaii, Jeff Osbourne’s Hook-N-Shoot in the Midwest, and Brian Cimins’ Grapplers Quest for the sports’ enthusiasts, just to name a very few. Most of all I enjoy the fighters, though.
A lot of these fighters tolerate my craziness and give me a home. Matt Hughes and his twin Mark are always trying to catch one of us alone to beat some sense into us - there is video footage of it at Grapplers Quest! Josh Barnett always telling me about his new video games while flexing in the mirror and saying, “Hey, Mask. I’m bigger than Superman. Don’t you think so?” I yell back to him, “I bet you can whip him in the ring, too!” I appreciate Jeremy Horn during my meditative and quieter moments! And I love and owe a lot to Paula Romero when she was at the old UFC! She believed and listened when everybody else though I was crazy and demented! She continues to think I am brilliant and she is right!
Q: As mixed martial arts grows in the years to come, will you be around to enjoy the ride?
A: Hell, %#&^%*) yeah! |
