The Dread Crew of Oddwood

The Dread Crew of Oddwood is an acoustic pirate band from San Diego, California. Their music, referred to by the band as "Heavy Mahogany", is characterized by a pirate theme and heavy use of acoustic instruments.

Biography

The Dread Crew of Oddwood formed as an eight-piece in 2008 after Wolfbeard O'Brady organized a meeting at San Diego Comic Con for fans of the SEGA Genesis game "Ecco the Dolphin". Only eight people showed up to the meeting, and the group formed the band's original lineup. ^[1] A year later, The Dread Crew of Oddwood released their debut album, Reign the Helm, featuring a lineup of Elvil Rumsik, Wolfbeard O'Brady, Riven Rahl, Finwe Theodore, Nathaniel Grizzlejaw, F.R.A.N.C.I.S. (later known as Rouba Juba), Castle, and Victor Crow.

The band quickly gathered a following performing at various Renaissance faires around the United States. Soon after the release of Reign the Helm, however, members Elvil Rumsik and Victor Crow left the band, and Smithy Crow joined.

In 2010, The Dread Crew of Oddwood released their sophomore album, Rocktopus, as well as their first music video, filmed for the lead single from Rocktopus, "Queen's Decree". Between the release of Rocktopus and their third album, members Finwe Theodore and Nathaniel Grizzlejaw also left the band, while brothers Stark and Deckard Cordwain joined the group.

The band's third album, entitled Heavy Mahogany, was released in early 2012 after a successful crowdfunding campaign.

In early 2015, the band embarked on Piratefest, a tour featuring Alestorm as the headlining act and Swashbuckle as direct support. Soon after the tour, long-time drummer Castle announced his departure from the band, shortly followed by Rouba Juba, leaving Wolfbeard O'Brady and Riven Rahl as the only remaining original members. The band quickly announced their new drummer, Legendary Pirate King Eric "The" Brown, who is also a member of Swashbuckle, also known as Chiptune artist Rainbowdragoneyes.

In late 2015, The Dread Crew of Oddwood will enter the studio to begin recording their fourth album, Lawful Evil, which they plan on funding using Kickstarter.

Musical style

The Dread Crew of Oddwood play a combination of folk music, heavy metal and traditional Celtic music. The band performs using only traditional and acoustic instruments, including the accordion, mandolin, tin whistle, bouzouki, toy piano, and stand-up bass.

Band members

Current members

• Wolfbeard O'Brady – accordion, whistles, vocals (2008–present)
• Riven Rahl – toy piano, vocals (2008–present)
• Smithy Crow – bass, orchestral strings, vocals (2009–present)
• Stark Cordwain – Irish bouzouki, whistles, vocals (2011–present)
• Deckard Cordwain – mandolin, ukulele, vocals (2011–present)
• T-Bone – drums (2015-present)

Former members

• Elvil Rumsik – guitar, vocals (2008–2009)
• Victor Crow – bass, vocals (2008–2009)
• Finwe Theodore – tenor ukulele, vocals (2008-2010)
• Nathaniel Grizzlejaw – concertina, vocals (2008–2011)
• Castle – drums, vocals (2008-2015)
• Rouba Juba (Formerly known as F.R.A.N.C.I.S.) – guitar, mandolin, vocals (2008–2015)

Discography

Studio albums

• Reign the Helm, self released, 2009
• Rocktopus, self released, 2010
• Heavy Mahogany, self released, 2012
• Lawful Evil, self released, 2016

Music videos

Singles

• The Ballad of Edward Kenway (2013) – commissioned by Ubisoft to promote Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
• Battle Metal (2014) – Turisas cover
• Wooden Pints (2014) – Korpiklaani cover

References

External links

• Official The Dread Crew of Oddwood website