A Show of Comedy, Song, and sometimes swordplay!

The smell of rum, the sea, and black powder. The crashing of the waves and the sails snapping in the wind. The creaking of timbers over the raucous laughter of gentlemen of fortune. You're not at a Renaissance Festival you're there with the Musical Blades, part of the crew of the Prickly Bitch.

Since the turn of the century, the Musical Blades have been transporting festival patrons into their hilarious world of dazzling sword fights, witty dialog, and original maritime songs (Lately, lots of original maritime songs).

It began as a discussion between two piratical peers, over ales and grog, to find the perfect combination of swordplay, music, and comedy. And now, with music taking the forefront, five distinct personalities, five aesthetic inputs, five pirates with WAY too much time on their hands have worked together to create an original experience in festival entertainment!

And who are these five pirates? Glad you asked.

Captain Patch: Albert Hall is a veteran of the sound stage and studio and has performed in venues throughout the Midwest for over 20 years. Albert began the Musical Blades show with now retired member Justin Zimmerman Fall 2000 and is the writer of nearly all Musical Blades songs and material. Albert also takes care of the groups booking, the web site, the myspace site, the artwork, the recordings. He eats, sleeps and breaths Musical Blades. If something is wrong, blame it on him.

Cutthroat Cookie: Jason Longberg has done work on both stage and television and has been doing medieval reenactment for over 12 years. Became a pirate Winter 2005, Jason is the most personable guy you will ever meet, and can weave a tale like you've never heard.... Even if you've heard it.

Chuey (aka Johnny Three Legs):  David Levin is a strong member of the group. David has more than pulled his own weight when he's around helping with comedic writing, impromptu situations, and musical writing. David's strong voice and chaotic demeanor add much depth to the group. David's other entertainment obligations have included being the host of pub sing at KCRF and STLRF. He is also versed in comedic acting and stage combat through various shows. Dave became a 'Blade' in 2006

Salty Peter Johnson: George Hunt is the guitarist of the Musical Blades. A published songwriter (BMI) and recording engineer. (Cypher Sound, KC). He tells us he’s very talented! He seems to like telling us how talented he is… George is truly a breath of fresh air. Our little pirate band was nearly defunct when he showed up to rhythmically take us the direction we longed for. He answered an add saying "I RRR a Pirate!", and says he "wants to be the ships parrot".... (What?) George became a 'Blade' spring 2008.

Panama: Clint Glidewell is the newest member, and a welcome addition to the Blades. A well established pirate in his own right, Clint, a veteran of stage and studio, brings to the group; worldly wisdom, a unique song writing style, high harmonies and an overall talent that completes the group. Clint is the most educated pirate in the world and cracks us up consistently. With us since May 2008

Retired singing and/or fight members

Dead Eye Blanks: Brett Bendure was a welcome addition to the Musical Blades. Big, Bald, and Bumbling. In a good way. With us since Spring 2004. Left in early 2008 due to time restraints.

Big Richard Bone: Ray St.Ledger has several years of music under his belt and was at one time a music teacher. Ray helped us out at KCRF in 2007 when Chuey, due to prior obligations, couldn't perform with us. The chemistry was good and we decided to keep him around for awhile. Ray had a unique talent for saying something stupid at just the right time .

Daniel Jones: Dave Long was once the guitar player of the Musical Blades. With a 25 year plus history in singing and guitar playing, his ability to improvise a unique guitar rhythm to any new song thrown at him helped us immensely. 

Captain Sebastian: Justin Zimmerman has studied history since birth and has been acting and stage fighting for over fifteen years. Now retired, Justin calls New Jersey his home and pursues a career in acting and behind the scenes film work.

Cabin Toy: J.R. Shepherd has been working renaissance festivals since high school. From the gate, to the lanes, to being featured characters at KCRF. He was a member of the MB fight/comedy show which began in 2000

Castrating Katy: Shannon Moore - Hearing of her experience in singing, we kidnapped Shannon in the Spring of 2006 from a Karaoke joint and brought her aboard ship. She's since jumped ship and swam back to shore. 

So with Patch at the wheel of the ship and Chuey blocking the sun with his massive head (and hat), Cookie, in the galley whipping up a batch of fluffy buttermilk biscuits, Salty Peter Johnson trying to jump overboard (cause he thought he saw a mermaid), and Panama still frantically looking for the head, they all soon will plot their next scurrilous endeavor. Could it be the next place the good ship Prickly Bitch makes port is in your realm? If so, take the women and children off the street; tap an extra keg of rum and light the red lamps cause with fair winds, the Musical Blades and their piratical nonsense will be there soon!

Rated PG-14 (A step above the standard)

See us soon at a Renaissance Festival near you!

THE KANSAS CITY STAR
Musical Blades interview: Sat. Oct. 6, 2007
Click Here

See the Musical Blades in action
Download Promo
(Windows Media Format 19mb / 2:44 length)

Players past and present:

Click name for individual bio