The LOST Series: CHARLIE Traditional Cache

He later became the bass player and principal song-writer for Drive Shaft, a rock band he formed with his brother Liam. Charlie is initially very hesitant to capitalize on Drive Shaft's growing success, but is ultimately convinced by Liam to participate in the band's future after Liam explains that Charlie "is the band". Charlie elicits a promise from Liam that they would dissolve the band if they ever felt it was too much. After the release of their self-titled debut, the band find it difficult and painful to seek the gigs they deserve, and while they car breaks down during heavy showers, Charlie threatens to leave, only to hear "You All Everybody" being played on the radio for the first time. Also, when he and Liam celebrate Christmas in Finland, Liam gives Charlie his Drive Shaft ring — a family heirloom handed down to the first-born of each generation. The band's name was created using the initials on this ring, belonging to a relative of theirs.

Drive Shaft's fame increases, and Charlie notices that Liam is becoming more controlling of the band and more self-destructive in his addiction. Shortly before a concert, Charlie calls Liam on his promise to end the band, but Liam storms off shouting that "he" is the band now. Alone in the dressing room and pained by the realization that he has let things go too far, Charlie turns to Liam's heroin stash. Drive Shaft's success eventually fades and the band is reduced to starring in a diaper commercial in which they are dressed as babies and dance to their hit song, "You All Everybody". However, Liam invariably gets them fired because of his behavior. Charlie begins writing new songs in an effort to have the band make a comeback. However, he comes home one day to find that his piano is missing. Liam tells Charlie that he sold it to buy a plane ticket to Sydney, where Liam's daughter and her mother have moved, and where he intends to enroll in a rehab clinic.

With the band gone, Charlie resorts to theft to support his heroin addiction. He romances a wealthy woman named Lucy in an attempt to rob her, but develops sincere feelings for her. Her father gets him a job selling copiers. Their relationship fails when Lucy discovers Charlie's original intentions. Charlie finds an opportunity for Drive Shaft to embark on an eight-week tour opening for another band, and flies to Australia to convince Liam to join the band's reunion. Liam, now married, clean, and settled down, refuses to return to a rock-star lifestyle. Liam tries to get Charlie to remain in Sydney and enter a drug treatment program, but Charlie angrily storms off.