About the Band

Claire Broderick

vocals, bouzouki. (photo by Clare Trevor)

Claire holds a bachelor’s degree in Theater from the University of California, Los Angeles. But don’t let that fool you, she can hold down a job just fine.

Claire’s interest in Celtic folk music was somewhat closeted when she was younger, however it surfaced, as these things often do, in college. Once she was dragged kicking and screaming to a Renaissance Faire about seven years ago, Claire came out of the Celtic Closet, and has been openly Celtic ever since. Her parents had an adjustment period as is often the case, (”I’m sorry, you’re performing where? The Renaissance What?”) however they have come to love and be proud of their Celtic daughter, and even embrace a few of their own Celtic tendencies.

Claire has been convincing people to listen to her sing since she was four, when she borrowed her mom’s broom and sung “Whistle While you Work” with the hiccups in the school talent show. Her embarrassing debut aside, Claire has been singing almost non-stop ever since and shows no intention of stopping. She has been lucky enough to sing at Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, The Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Long Beach Civic Light Opera, and with such artists as Brian Wilson, Kathleen Battle, and Jenna Leigh Green. Her roots are in Classical Music and Musical Theater, which means that singing folk music is probably the most rebellious thing she could possibly do. She has been playing the Irish Bouzouki for about four years, and has been sounding okay at it for about two. Claire currently sings with The Merry Wives of Windsor, Christmas Matters, and anyone else who will let her.

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Heather Greene

Vocals, Bodhran, Recorder, Accordion

(photo by Clare Trevor)

Heather holds bachelor’s degree in theater from Calif. State University, Northridge. She’s performed at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire for more than two decades. In that time she was director of Country Matters.

She is currently director and co-founder of the Merry Wives of Windsor. She is also director of Christmas Matters, a Christmas caroling troupe that performs at various corporate and private events during the holiday season.

She performed as a vocalist with the Celtic ensemble Highland Sun.

Strangers with Candy ipod

She’s a long-time fan of Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, which ignited her passion for Celtic music.

Phil Schwadron

Vocals, Field Drum, Percussion

Stick It buy

(photo by AJ Stevens)

Phil Schwadron attended the Renaissance Faire for the first time in 1986. Nearly 20 years later, he finally got paid for showing up, as a member of the Poxy Boggards. For over 30 years, Phil has been involved in the performing arts as an actor, director, dancer, singer, and musician. He began his career performing in the 1983 Tony Award-winning Broadway Cast of ON YOUR TOES, at the age of 13. After moving to Los Angeles, Phil and his twin brother Steven worked in television (CHEERS, BEVERLY HILLS 90210) and film (SAFE PASSAGE, STEAL BIG, STEAL LITTLE) before collaborating as songwriters with the Boggards. Phil got his BA in Theatre Arts from California State University, Northridge (where he currently is a professor) and his MFA in Acting from the California Institute of the Arts. He has taught in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the William S. Hart School District, and currently at the Orange County High School of the Arts.

He is turning 40 in 2009 and understandably is very tired.

Rob Roy trailer

La bomba trailer

Stu Venable

Vocals, Electric Bass & Double Bass

(photo by Clare Trevor)

Stu holds a bachelors in journalism, with a minor in political science. He’s performed music since the fifth grade, and restrung his first guitar left-handed at the age of 17.

Stu is the director and co-founder of the Poxy Boggards. He’s performed at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire for more than 15 years. Before the Boggards, he performed with Goode Company and Country Matters at the Faire.

download without a paddle online

His first band, the Positions, was a agnsty rock band which provided an outlet for his early, crappy efforts at songwriting. The Positions performed at a few Long Beach venues, including Bogarts, which is now closed.

Stu’s songwriting began back in his Reggae days, attempting (poorly) to write songs like those of Bob Marley. His first songwriting attempt, “Metermaids of Destruction,” was, as the name suggests, not very good.

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