Francis, The Dirges front man, thinks of himself
as a classically trained antagonist who decided to
spread his word through music. He was born and
raised in the small factory town of Schenectady NY
where a love for tradition and hard work were
pounded into him during his formative years.
He became a bartender, a chef, and a man whose
songs recognize that the stumbling sadness of life
needs an energetic nod from time to time.
After listening to his songs, you'll realize that
ballads aren't always soft and sweet. They may
well rile you into a frenzy beforethetears begin to
flow.
Tall Pete, the bass player , finally
found his calling when he started working with
Fran. Never having committed himself to anything
prior, he picked up the bass and discovered his
natural rhythm. His driving bass lines are the
bedrock for The Dirges deeply layered groove.
Alicia Allen didn't join the band until
2003when Fran and Pete got into an altercation
after oneof her solo shows. Fran encountered a
broken pint glass to thetendon in his hand and
enlisted Alicia to cover therhythm guitar during his
recovery.They decided to keep her when they
discovered that she is always willing to learn and
play new instruments when needed. Now she is
playing guitar, mandolin, and flute. In the future
she might even put her education in classical oboe
to use.
Marc Strommer joined the band in late
2005. He plays lead guitar and lap steel and has
become a cornerstone of the bands new sound.
He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music
in Boston and a member of L.A.'s Dan Band and
The Rays. Marc's talent, and more so his attitude
towards music and life, have been a driving force
in The Dirges recent endeavors.
Bill "Stuhlly"
Brennenstuhl has been making his living as a
drummer since attending Berklee school of music.
Stuhlly has performed with the likes of Hypnotic
Clambake, Mike Gordon, and The Fourhorseman.
His driving beats and inventive fills are a perfect fit
for The Dirges rambunctious style of music and
Fran's heartfelt working class lyrics.
This creep can roll.
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