We'd love to tell our fans that our newest album Thank You, Sir. May I Have Another? is completely finished and ready to hit the shelves! However, we can't, in good conscience, sell you a record that is only half finished. But you've been patient, and deserve at least a taste of things to come, right? With that in mind, get ready for a total eargasm with this preview of Bonny Ship The Diamond. Enjoy!
What was once home to Mac's Thistle Leather has since become Mac's Pub: A place to enjoy live music and a cold brew. Unfortunately, the building itself isn't much of a stage, and most of the original structure is unchanged. So how can we renovate the pub to meet our current needs?
For years, there have been discussions about building an addition onto the north side of the pub and making it into a proper stage with ample seating for patrons, better traffic flow for beer lovers and barmaids, while keeping the spirit of Mac's alive.
There is more than one way to go about this. Currently, Mac's is one of the few places at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival where you can purchase beer, see live entertainment, and find shelter from the elements. It should be our goal to maintain those benefits. The downside of the pub is it's small size (seating about 20 patrons shoulder-to-shoulder), poor sight-lines, and cramped performance space for entertainers. Mac's Pub isn't even treated as a stage, as there is no slat board to display show times.
Before the current version of the pub, there was talk of keeping the bar under the main roof and leaving the North face of the building open for future improvements. This made sense, since the North wall had partially collapsed, and needed to be repaired. Instead, the roof was shored-up with a few pillars, leaving the broken masonry as is. The bar was built as an exterior addition to the North face sometime later.
A quick view of the landscape around Mac's Pub shows a grade from the North face of the building, heading downhill towards the Chess Board. This space is currently open, and would provide a natural "amphitheater" if a stage were placed towards the bottom of the grade, facing South.
One possible way to achieve this is to build an open-air stage, with a back wall, and a roof that joins with the existing bar addition. The wall and roof could be designed in such a way that they'd provide better acoustics for performers. Extra seating and tables could be place outside of the pub, with wide aisles, and generous sight lines of the stage. This would be a very simple solution, but unfortunately, we would lose the benefit of shelter for our performers and patrons.
A second possibility would be to build a fully-enclosed addition to Mac's Pub, also on the North face of the existing building. This is a bit more complicated than an open-air stage, but would keep all the benefits of the current pub.
So long as we're talking about a full building, why not spice it up a bit? Why does it have to be a plain box? After all, Mac's Pub sits on a Renaissance Festival... why not give it a theme and make it fun?
Rendering of a possible shipwreck-themed addition to Mac's Pub.With these considerations in mind, it's not unreasonable to think that Mac's Pub could one day have an addition that resembled something like half of a shipwreck, covered in vines and moss. Or be made to resemble a brewery, or a giant beer mug! Anything is possible with the proper planning and expertise.
All of these ideas require many conversations, concept renderings, construction plans, blueprints, approvals, inspections, a competent crew, a qualified designer, and of course... funding.
The Dregs are very interested in the project, and are willing to help it along in any way we can. We welcome further ideas and discussions about how we can make Mac's Pub a better experience for everyone!
Most people don't have a clue what it takes to produce a professional music album. And a lot of professional musicians don't know what it takes to get a 6-piece band together for a rehearsal, let alone produce an entire album! Needless to say, both are an absolute TON of work.
At this stage in the game, our album looks like this:
- Recorded? CHECK!
- Liner Notes? CHECK!
- Album Art? NOT JUST YET
- Photoshoot? Oh Yeah!
- Audio Engineering complete? NOT JUST YET
- Printing and Duplication? WAITING FOR THE ABOVE
- Sales and Distribution? WAITING FOR THE ABOVE
So, we're just waiting on Chad and Frost to get their acts together and finish this project! We can't name any specific dates, but be on the lookout for our new album this summer!
Picture courtesy of Sobophoto.com
Hola fellow music lubbers!
Funny story how I got hooked up with the Dregs. Ok, maybe not really funny-ha-ha funny but at least it's a story.
It all began with MFL. That's right the Heritage Theater Company production of "My Fair Lady."
Little did I know that in auditioning for this community theater production I would be subject to such a large secret conglomerate of Festies. Jen, a young veteran Festie, planted a seed in my brain when she said, "Angelina I think you would do well out at Fest"
I wasn't so sure, even after she clarified what Fest and Festies meant. In the end all of them with their sneaky ways and corrupting moral influence finally won me over and I found myself in the clutches of my Dregs Audition.
Who knew that one of these very same Festies, would become my future roommate, band mate and dearest friend.
So there was this girl who for some reason didn't start rehearsal at the same time as the rest of the cast. She was a skinny little thang of a woman with Short spiky hair, a nose ring and a beautiful voice. Susanne; she ended up being a fellow maid and chorus member who helped me figure out what part I was supposed to be singing. ... I are le bad at reading music and have never really been musically trained (other than a few voice lessons in high school). Anyhoo, every now and then Suzy would mention something about this band she was performing with.
I thought she was in some sort of hard rock or heavy metal group, but it turned out to be this Irish folk band, the Drags or Dregs. It sounded interesting and I told her to let me know when they were performing.
Next thing I know she tells me to prepare two songs that are kind of Irish and upbeat... WTF? I dunno any friggin Irish songs. Maybe I could do a sea shanties from this CD I always used to listen to "Chants De Marins/Sea Shanties", and I had a song book with some songs from Finnegan's Rainbow on it. They'd have to do... and apparently they did, because I'm here typing this blog thing about how I got into the Dregs.
On the Day of the audition I met Suzy before going in and she told me to just pretend to be confident... so I did. I met the three guys first because Rachael wasn't able to be there. I thought the guitar player was cute, the older guy (aka Tim) seemed kind of unsure of me and the gay guy was the most welcoming and positive man, I hadn't ever met him before and yet I was sooo grateful to have him there during this nerve wracking time. So, I sang my two songs, and the older one talked a little about my music background (while crossing his arms and holding his chin) then they told me they would get in touch. ... which they did!
Looking back, I don't think I'd have had the guts to audition for this group if I'd have known who they were before. I tend to suffer from severe cases of "star-struck-itis", and become incredibly insecure and shy and, if you can believe it... quiet, when confronted with people who I haven't met but admire in some great way.
Even the "Droopies" were kind enough to take a chance on me. You have made this an amazing experience.
I found myself in the clutches folly and fell into the open arms of the love that is The Dregs.
From the sub-cockles of my heart;
Thank you
Peace and luv to you all
-Angelina
About 65 of our Uncorked CDs were accidentally burned with errors! About mid-way through the album, the songs start sounding like "static" (if they play at all). Unbeknownst to us, we began selling this batch of defective CDs on Saturday, September 29th, 2007 (the closing weekend of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival).
We've had some reports that using a CD repair kit may fix the defective CDs and allow the bad tracks to be played. If you have this technology, give it a shot!
How about we just give you the second half of the album and you can burn a new CD yourself? Full MP3s from Uncorked are available for tracks 13 through 24!
If you just want a replacement album, we'd be happy to snail mail a new CD to you. Just send us your shipping info (name, address, etc.), and we'll get it to you lickety split!
What began as a simple peasant band has since evolved into troupe of performers bent on one thing: making you laugh. This is the most important thing I discovered when I first saw The Dregs perform in late 2004. Having heard a few of their songs on CD, I wasn't exactly blown away by their musical talent. That's why I was pleasantly surprised to see them live and to learn a secret that Dregs fans have known for years: Half of the entertainment never leaves the stage!
The heart of The Dregs' act is comedy, delivered in a variety of fashions. Often, the lyrics of a silly jig are enough to make you smile. But the real laughs can be found in the banter between their songs, their antics and props, and on the faces of each of the performers themselves. On stage, they create an environment that draws the audience into a twisted, goofy version of reality that incorporates song, drink, wit, and jackass behavior that you can't help but laugh at. This is the entertainment that never makes it onto an album.
I joined The Dregs in late 2005 and quickly discovered a rare talent in this band. We all have a natural ability to harmonize on the fly. One person can start a melody, a second will join in, and the rest follow suit, in perfect harmony, without previous rehearsal. During our "practice sessions" there have been times when we've literally run a song just once, mastered it on the first try, and found it worthy to perform on stage. In addition, I can apply this trait to guitar music, making it possible to perform a song that I've never played before. During our shows, this ability frees us to focus on other aspects of the performance, such as improv jokes and impromptu cover songs.
Because of this, it should come as no surprise that we've come up with several parody songs such as Million Chickens, In the Village, and Barbara Allen. Sometimes, simply for fun, we'll cook up a new version to an existing song. This is the case with Wild Mountain Thyme. At this point, it has become a running joke to include at least one version of this song on each of our albums including a jazz rendition, a Do-Wop number, and a toe-tapping bit we have no logical moniker for and have since dubbed Wild Mountain Rama Lama Ding Dong. We've also been caught on camera performing a unique version of Health to the Company.
It's a well-known fact that we'll perform any song for $5 dollars... even if we don't know it. Half of the time, we really won't know the requested song, and can pull off a reasonable facsimile from scratch. But this phenomenon has led to such perversions as "Lesbians in Socks", a version of Queen of Ol' Argyle using alternate lyrics. Originally, the traditional Irish song was written about a man's fondness for a maiden in the town of Argyle (yes, like argyle socks). Because our version is sung by a woman, does that make her a lesbian? We're not sure, but we've raised our rates to at least $10 on this song. And "Danny Boy" is simply the Irish version of "Free Bird", which we'll play for no less than $20. (Prices may vary. Subject to change without notice. See dealer for details.)
Not all of our songs feature gay sailors and homicidal children, however. The majority of our repertoire is comprised of traditional Irish songs, including a few original hits such as God Hates a Whiskey Waster, Sleeping in the Deep, O Shepherd Boy, Six Days on Land, and "Mangan's Lament". And even with the addition of instrumentation, we often enjoy going back to our a Capella roots to cover songs like the not-so-Irish Take a Chance on Me.
To throw a wrench in the works, we've got a growing number of synthpop and dance remixes featured on our albums. What's wrong with a Chemical Workers'/People Are People remix? Everything! Which is exactly why you'll find it alongside catchy versions of Johnny Jump-Up, "Old Maid in the Garret", and "Charlie" which was featured in the closing credits of the Dregs Documentary. Will they ever play us in the night clubs? We're not sure, but don't be surprised to run across techno versions of "By the Hush", "Wednesday Mourn", or "O'Donnel Abu".
While most of our fans see us performing at various Renaissance faires across the Midwest, we frequently play other venues (provided they can tolerate the Irish) and cater to the crowds. Perhaps the most important factor in our success has been no secret at all; We have fun performing, and it's infectious! See for yourself at any of our upcoming shows!
Go behind the scenes with The Dregs in their new documentary! This 15-minute presentation details the history of the band, their growing fandom, and the drama off the stage! Don't miss this Dregs exclusive!
Our newest album, Uncorked has been released and is selling like free beer! Unfortunately, one batch of these CDs was produced with some burning errors that start about half-way through the disc! If you received one of these bad CDs, we will be happy to replace it for you. Simply email us about your lousy, good-for-nuthin' CD along with your name, address, and phone number and we'll ship one off to you lickety split!
Need your Dregs fix before that? We've had a few reports that using a CD repair kit has corrected some of the bad discs, and allowed them to play normally. We also plan to offer our fans free MP3 downloads of the affected songs through this website... Keep yer britches on!
Yes, we do indeed have plans to produce a new CD! We're gearing up to get back in the studio and lay down the tracks for an album chock-full of our newest drinking, dyin', bawdy, stupid, pretty, sea-shantys! Keep your eyes peeled for this little gem to be released soon!
Join us in raising a toast to our newest member, Angelina! And just when you thought we couldn't sound any prettier! Somebody buy her a drink!
Who would be foolish enough to join our band voluntarily? Rachael, Frost, and Molly... That's who! We just know you're going to love our new sound and shenanigans! Be sure to catch a sneak peak at our upcoming show at Tillie's Bean on November 18th!
We would like to welcome our newest member Chad Dutton to the Dregs. Chad has been working with us for a few months now and we are very excited about what his voice adds to our group. We can't wait to have everyone hear how we sound with Chad in the mix. Come to our shows at the Festival and listen to what a difference he makes!
The Dregs new album, Our Drunk Goes to Eleven is finished! Our official CD release party will be at Tillie's Bean on the 17th of June but you can buy them at the Olde Worlde Renaissance Faire on June 11th and 12th if you can't wait. Listen to some clips of the music! We are all extremely proud of this CD and we hope old and new fans will love it as much as we do.