Steve Lighty- Lead Guitar/Vocals
Dominic Nardini- Bass
Marc Scortino- Piano/Accordion/Vocals
Peter Voskamp- Drums
John Whitaker- Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Influences
Being under them.
Sounds Like
Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings at Mardi Gras with the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Velvet Underground and the Ramones after having sailed there aboard a pirate ship captained by Bob Dylan.
At the start of Nova Scoatian singer/songstress Liz Coady's set at the 2003 Block Island Music Festival, an audience member inquired as to the identities of the two gentlemen backing her up on bass and drums. Looking back towards Dominic Nardini and John Whitaker, Liz nodded her head and proclaimed nonchalantly, "they're the Booze Beggars." Thus a band was named. But not just any band... In short order Liz Coady returned to Nova Scotia, Whitaker moved outfront trading the drumsticks for an acoustic guitar and Block Island Times Editor in Cheif, Peter Voskamp, assumed drumthrone duties. Island troubador Steve "Lightnin'" Lighty and Music Fest founder Marc Scortino soon emerged on electric guitar and piano respectively. For the rest of Summer 2003 the Beggars met every Sunday on the deck at Captain Nick's Rock n' Roll Bar where they drank excessively and fumbled their way through a deep fried sampler platter of american roots music, sea shanties, country, punk, new orleans boogie and rock n' roll standards. Their only rule was, "no practice". And it showed. Since their inception, The Booze Beggars have cemented their reputation as Block Island's favorite sons and de facto house band at Captain Nick's. Their Sunday afternoon deck appearances are the stuff of legend drawing a hardcore local allegiance as well as the stray, curious tourist. During the winter of 2005, the Beggars recorded and released their first eponymously titled album of originals. In 2008 the band ventured off the island for their first world tour performing in New York, Boston and...New York again. Their time on the road earned them a new legion of fans including ex-Minutemen/fIREHOSE bassist Mike Watt who featured the Beggars' version of Drunken Sailor on his internet radio show.
Hey, I'm looking for some feedback. If you haven't had a chance yet, I'd like to know what you think of my music. My Favorite Song is my latest project finished in the studio so stop by when you get a chance. Thanks. Sincerely, Brad
Booze Beggars what's shakin'? we're tring to get in touch with someone who books Captain Nick's we would love to get out there this summer and play some sweet music!!!
Are you guys sh!tting me? "Clambake" is my favorite Elvis movie!!!!!!Sure all the hipsters say "Love Me Tender" or "King Creole" but how can you go wrong with Elvis as a water skiing instructor? Or was he a helicopter pilot? Or was it a race car driver? I know he wasn't in the army or recently released from jail so it's gotta be one of those. Anyway great music!
