The Poxy Boggards sound like a crowded 17th-century pub that somehow found its way into a modern Southern California dive bar. Their music is defined by a massive, wall-of-sound vocal approach, where over a dozen voices lock into tight, muscular harmonies that feel more like a gang shout than a choir. It is acoustic, organic, and unapologetically loud, driven by the rhythmic chug of guitars, accordions, and fiddles that prioritize stomp-along energy over delicate precision.
What truly sets them apart is their 'bawdy' identity. While many Celtic groups treat the tradition with reverence, the Boggards treat it with a pint of ale and a wink. They specialize in the irreverent, the satirical, and the slightly scandalous, blending high-level musicality with a sense of humor that ranges from clever wordplay to outright shock value. It is the sound of a community of musicians who have spent decades performing in the heat of Renaissance faires, learning exactly how to command a rowdy crowd.
For the uninitiated, start with 'Anchor Management' or 'Beer and Loathing.' These albums capture the quintessential Boggards experience: expertly crafted folk arrangements that serve as a vehicle for songs about drinking, debauchery, and the absurdity of modern life. It is the perfect soundtrack for any moment that requires a high-energy, communal atmosphere and a total lack of decorum.
The Poxy Boggards are an American folk band based in Pasadena. The band was founded in 1994 by Stuart Venable and Bill Roper, and first performed that year at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Since that time, they have achieved success in the re-burgeoning Irish-folk movement, playing with bands such as The Fenians. The 13 members of the band are all singers and instrumentalists. Their music has been described as a mix of tight, right harmonies, rocking instrumentation with traditional folk instruments, and an irreverent, often shocking sense of humor and lack of decorum. The Boggards have played at numerous venues throughout Southern California, including the Galaxy Theatre, the House of Blues in Anaheim, the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles, and the Musicians Institute in Hollywood. At the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards, they received Best Celtic Album for Liver Let Die and Live Act of the Year for their 2004 performance at the awards show. On Sunday, February 7, 2010, one of the Poxy Boggards' songs ("I Wear No Pants" from their CD Liver Let Die) was featured in a commercial for the Levi Strauss brand Dockers which aired during Super Bowl XLIV. The song was also featured in the Shazam app's combined promotion with Dockers. In June 2010, the band received the 2010 Hollywood Fringe Festival Award for Music. In October 2016, the band appeared on Hell's Kitchen.
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