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About
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ABOUT

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You’re more likely to believe these guys are from Dublin then the South Hills of Pittsburgh. An immensely talented and dedicated group of musicians that could hold their own on stage with The Pogues, Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphys. No band from Pittsburgh makes me want to drink more.

– Randy Baumann, WDVE Morning Show

Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today.  Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll.

Bastard Bearded Irishmen, or BBI, was originally intended to be a one-night-only tribute for a dear, departed friend. Jimmy Bastard and Ben Jaber shared a passion for Irish music and enlisted Dan Stocker on drums and Danny Rectenwald on mandolin to form the nucleus of the band.  

What began as a tribute in local pubs, turned into three records, constant touring, and sharing the stage with everyone from The Rumjacks to Gogol Bordello. They have one of the best St. Patrick’s Day shows in the country.  They’re hard-partying and always in good spirit. The group’s lineup is rounded out by Paul Dvorchak on fiddle, Ryan Warmbrodt on rhythm guitar, and Sean-Paul Williams on bass.

Bastard Bearded Irishmen concerts are a non-stop barrage of party anthems, dancing tunes and maybe even the occasional whiskey-fueled ballad.  The experience is always organic, and sometimes, unpredictable.  Jimmy climbs the rafters and Danny jumps into the crowd.  Maybe you get to do a solo. Who knows?  Quite simply, the guys want you to have as much fun as they’re having. 

The band’s third album, “Drinkin’ to the Dead,” will be released wide May 2018.  It’s a tribute to fallen friends and family, one of the reasons Bastard Bearded Irishmen formed in the first place; a respectful remembrance of those who have passed with an acceptance to go on and live your best life. Standout tracks include “Green Side of the Hill”, “Drunken Drinkin’”, the cover of “Dirty Old Town” by Ewan MacColl and the epic ending and album-titled “Drinkin’ to the Dead.”

“Drinkin’ to the Dead” is full of surprises and new stretches for the band. The album further demonstrates that Bastard Bearded Irishmen is not just a St. Patrick’s Day band.

 

One other special note:  this is first album where mandolinist and background vocalist Danny Rectenwald steps out to lead vocals on four tracks. Jimmy Bastard still leads vocals and is the principal songwriter on the remaining songs.

Bastard Bearded Irishmen is sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey and Iron City Beer.

BBI was voted “Best Rock Band in Pittsburgh” four years in a row (’12,’13,’14, ‘15) by the readers of the ‘Pittsburgh City Paper’, and “Best Bar Band” (2014 & 2015) by ‘Pittsburgh Magazine’.  The band continues to make a name for itself, both regionally and nationally.  They’ve opened for Dropkick Murphy’s and Stiff Little Fingers on the “Shamrock N Roll” tour in Pittsburgh, played with Gogol Bordello, Street Dogs, Chuck Ragan, The Rumjacks, Gaelic Storm, The Mahones, Reel Big Fish, Guttermouth, Rusted Root, The Clarks, as well as rocking regional festivals, “MusikFest” (Bethlehem, PA), “Roar on the Shore” (Erie, PA), “MountainFest” (Morgantown, WV), “Flood City Music Festival”(Johnstown, PA), “OC Bike Fest” (Ocean City, MD), Dublin Irish Fest (Dublin, OH), Celtic Classic (Bethlehem, PA), Indy Irish Festival (Indianapolis, IN), Pittsburgh Irish Festival, and three rock cruises, Sail Across the Sun (‘16, ‘17, ‘18) with national artists Train, Michael Franti & Spearhead, among others, and was quickly a boat highlight.

BASTARD BEARDED IRISHMEN ARE...

  • Jimmy Bastard – Guitars/Vocals

  • Sean-Paul Williams – Bass/Vocals

  • Dan Stocker – Drums

  • Ryan Warmbrodt – Rhythm guitar/Vocals

  • Stephen Weiss - Violin

  • Paul Dvorchak - Mandolin/Vocals

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AND THE PEOPLE SAID...

Far more than some party band, the sextet is blessed with deft musicianship. …[their] upbeat mix of Celtic rock, punk, acoustic and Irish folk music calls to mind the majestic triumvirate of the Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly.

– Scott Tady, Beaver County Times

If you think you might like a band with a name like “The Bastard Bearded Irishmen,” you’ll definitely like this band.

– Andy Mulkerin, Pittsburgh City Paper

“Bastard Bearded Irishmen are hands down the best live act in Pittsburgh. Their raw energy and intensity radiates to their fans creating an atmosphere that can’t be rivaled. Don’t pass up any opportunity to check these guys out.”

– Randy Jarosz, Sound Scene Express

“Catchy is the word for to describe this album and its chockablock full of foot-tappers, fist in the air shouty choruses and moshpit friendly celtic punk….All the various strands of celtic-punk are here but rarely have they come together so perfectly!”

– London Celtic Punks

The mission, of course, is to provide its own home-brewed taste of that acoustic-punk-Celtic blend…

…bashing out a rowdy repertoire of drinking songs, from classics like “Whiskey in the Jar” to such originals as “Drinkem’, Drankem’, Drunkem’.”

– Scott Mervis, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

It might have been the best hour of St. Patrick’s Day I’ve ever experienced…they just come out and punch you in the face.

– Mike Prisuta, WDVE Morning Show

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