Rupert Randall Chappelle is a well-known figure to those who have attended WGTB's last Pandemedia Concert, any recent Yippie smoke-in, or one of the vaious synthesizer concerts Chappelle has given in the area’s local coffehouses, libraries, and parks. He's that tall fellow in the green tunic and chain mail, with a full beard and shoulder length hair, looking for all the world like a medieval warrior let loose from a time-machine.

But that’s not a time machine: it’s a bank of synthesizers—to be specific. an ARP 2600, an ARP Odysessy, and ARP string-synthesizer, an Octave Cat, and a custom made Arthur Harrison Sequencer—stacked a little precariously but exactly as Chappelle desires them.

Rupert started out interested in middle ages music—and originally played the recorder. A one-time member of the Maryland Medieval Militia, Rupert came by his chain-mail (self-made) legitimately, but as his political stance moved toward Yippie-anarchy his interest in synthesizers—originally to synthesize medieval music—took him into the latter parts of the twentieth century.

Last Month Rupert released his first album. Ozone Music was recorded this spring and can be found in a number of local record stores, to which Rupert distributes the album directly.

Those who have heard Rupert live or over WGTB, where he has both performed live and made available tapes of his music for broadcast, will know what to expect. This is synthesizer music not unlike that of Tangerine Dream or Klaus Schulze—sweeping sounds and luminous textures, punctuated with electronic rhythms. Music with which to drift away from one’s body. Sonic moods.

The album represents only one facet of Chappelle’ musical interests—he still wants to do an album of medieval music, and he’s been flirting with the New Wave. Recently, he did a gig at New York’ CBGB’s, and this month he’ll be at the Atlantis.