Brass Farthing: Bios


Home Bios Media Discography	Brass Farthing is a group of stalwart lads brought together to sing songs, raise good cheer, and otherwise make merry in the company of friends both old and new. We take our inspiration from many periods and enjoy performing historical, traditional, and contemporary compositions in traditional styles.	Brass Farthing is: Rory Alden Chris Callahan George Chlentzos Mark Donnelly Jim Partridge Tazz Richards Ben Wilson Farthing Darling: Rachel Young
Back to top	George Chlentzos — Director of Brass Farthing. Despite his unpronounceable name, Mr Chlentzos has made quite a name for himself in the California Renaissance Faire and Dickens Fair community. Mr Chlentzos is an alumnus of the musical sensation Hard Times, performed lead in a variety of Gilbert & Sullivan productions, held the esteemed position of Chairman at Mad Sal's. He once proved to a Hungarian princess that he could yodel the entire score of Die Fledermaus, but only while hiding under her ball gown. Roger U. Rightly — well-to-do scoundrel and Grand Poobah of the Brass Farthing Mutual Admiration Society (BFMAS). After running away from a girl's boarding school in Leicester, Mr Rightly found his fortune in London by investing other people's money in his gin distillery then suing the investors for attempting to poison him.
Back to top	Tazz Richards — As a jack-of-all-trades, Mr Richards has been accused of playing woodwinds and percussion, belly dancing, kite flying, book publishing and in the unfortunate case of Brass Farthing, singing. He is an alumnus of the SFGMC and a connoisseur of whiskey or whatever he happens to be drinking at the time. Slugger O'Toole (drunk as a rule) — In spite of the slightly exaggerated rumors of his death, Mr O'Toole survived the wreck of the Irish Rover. He landed on the shores of Liverpool, broken, lost, missing important pieces of his memory and his clothing, and for the first time since he was pried away from the whiskey-flavored teat of his dear old mum - sober. Mr O'Toole stumbled his way to London, begging and singing for booze and occasionally food. The BFMAS took him in out of pity - or possibly because he posed a threat to their women.
Back to top	Rory Alden — A staple at Renaissance Faires, Mr Alden also performs as One Jolly Beggar, continuing the musical traditions of his alum Jolly Beggar. He is a master carpenter, bartender, artist and architect of things worldly and other-worldly. When not answering every question on Jeopardy, Mr Alden has been known to leave the ladies smiling, then crying. (Then smiling again.) Champagne Charlie — A world-renowned trapéziste, Charlie is a London original. On any given night, Charlie can be found at any one of London's many East or West End pubs, carousing, bartending, or performing either for money or more of his favorite, elusive elixir - good bubbly! He also collects corks, and we are told it would be improper to ask how he keeps so many on his person.
Back to top	Mark Donnelly — When Mr Donnelly isn't directing and performing with The Stark Ravens, writing music and disappointing his groupies with his wedding ring, he slums it with Brass Farthing, occasionally wielding a mighty mandolin or demonstrating an affectation for ballet. After his audition, he was instructed to leave the tutu at home. When Mr Donnelly feels the need to don a tux, he plays saxophone with Lee Press-On and the Nails. Damn overachiever. 'andsome 'arry Palmer — After corrupting the convent where he was raised, Mr Palmer learned his smile could open any door as long as it was to a boudoir or drunk tank. He graduated from the BFMAS rehabilitation program by completing the Gauntlet of Beer, a ritual so secret, it can only be finished by being too drunk to remember what you did in the first place.
Back to top	Jim Partridge — Mr Partridge has been one of the regular suspects committing folk music in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for many years now. He can be found at the Hyde St. Pier singing sea songs and shanties, and trolling the docks of San Francisco in search of his other bandmates, The Roving Tars, who by they're very nature, are roving. Approach Mr Partridge with extreme caution, as he has been known to harmonize with complete strangers with no provocation whatsoever. Jimmy Twitcher — Or Jack Twitcher. Or Johnny Twitch. Different people get different names. Mr Twitcher is back from being an involuntary guest of Her Majesty in Van Diemen's Land. Details on how this was accomplished are . . . sketchy. There was a gold mine involved . . . again, details are sketchy, and a search of Her Majesty's Land Patent Office in Queensland reveals no variation of any of the above names in rightful possession of any gold mine . . . or any gold for that matter. Nonetheless, Mr Twitcher - if that's his real name - has become a man of means in these latter years, even if the source of those means are not clear. He is infinitely obliged that those of you with . . . official connexions to Her Majesty's Government have not pursued this matter.
Back to top	Ben Wilson — Dancer, singer, award-winning mathlete. There are many titles that may or may not describe Mr Wilson. He is a staple of the California Renaissance Faire and Dickens Fair, having shady associations with Hard Times, Fezziwigs and The Paddy West School of Seamanship. In his spare time, Mr Wilson can be found writing, formulating algorithms, and playing with his daughter. Jimmy Bean — Sailor and alumnus of the Paddy West School of Seamanship. In spite of his auspicious alma mater, Mr Bean did not die from a horribly misinformed accident while working on board a real ship. Not even once. He grew up in Cheapside, but never feels at home there, preferring the other end of town. He manages to stay ashore most months, working, unloading tea ships for that nice Mr Fezziwig. ...and escorting/protecting his lovely daughters as they walk about the city.
Back to top	Chris Callahan — A member of The Stark Ravens, Plasterkatz and really, who knows what other illicit organizations. Mr Callahan is a songwriter, guitarist, singer, actor, and frankly way too cute for his own good. In his spare time he can be found fending off (or chatting up) oglers of his super-hot wife. Phineas Wilberforce Smugsley — He says, "You can call me Fin – like a shark in the water! – but you best not call me Wilber." Mr Smuglsey was raised on the streets of London . Briefly employed as a bludger for Paddy West’s School of Seamanship , he's now a well-respected man about town, doing the best things so conservatively...
Back to top	Rachel Young — Ms Young Generally assists Brass Farthing when they are in need of sign-holding, prop-moving, CD-shilling and random giddiness. Ms Young can otherwise be found creating smart fabric and metal adornments for ladies and gentlemen under the name Rubyblackbird, or tending to badly abused library books at a nearby prestigious university. When asked why she does not ascend the stage and sing along with the boys, she patiently explains that she hasn't the balls. Penelope Whistle — Mrs Whistle holds all of the fine, upstanding lads of the BFMAS in her heart with undying, sisterly affection, seeing to it that their cravats are tied stylishly, and admonishing them to stay out of jail. Mrs Whistle is eternally grateful to Mr Rightly for offering her employment as the "Farthing Darling" after the mysterious death of her husband, Wolfgang, who left this world with debts outstanding. She would like everyone to know that you can purchase Brass Farthing's latest small, round, shiny book of songs, and the lads will thereafter sing their lovely songs for you whenever you like!
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	BRASS FARTHING © 2011