Band Bio
For more than 15 years, Stout Rebellion has been performing high-octane pub rock in the greater Sacramento area and beyond. With roots in traditional Celtic (mostly Irish and Scottish) drinking songs, the band has morphed through many iterations, currently settling on a sound that is often described as Celtic punk, but, in truth, draws from classic punk, 80s pop, 60s psychadelia, barroom polkas, sea shanties, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
“We call it pub rock," says lead singer Bobby Waller, “because it's all about that feel-good experience you can only get in a pub full of people who just wanna laugh and sing and have a good time."
The band's current lineup is (clockwise, startng from front and center) James Wilson on mandolin, Adrian Baxmeyer on bass, Bobby Waller on lead vocals, Aaron Hendel on electric guitar, Nicole Sivell on Irish whistles and keytar, and Patrick Hennessey on drums.
Stout Rebellion began in 2009 as an Irish punk band and would eventually return to its rock roots but first took a long detour into the realm of tradition when founding members Bobby Waller (guitar, lead vocals) and James Wilson (mandolin) learned that the Delta King needed a traditional drinking songs band for its weekly Irish night. Specializing in audience participation with lyric screens, clappers, green parade beads, and clappers, Stout Rebellion packed the little riverboat lounge every Thursday night for two and a half years and built a following that remains loyal to this day.
(Note: This photo features the classic Stout Rebellion folk lineup. From left to right, it's James on mando, Eve Kuffner on accordion, Bobby on guitar, Greg Cox on bass, Linda Easton on bass drum, and Chuck Jamison on bodhran.)
After the salad days on the Delta King, the band incorporated light folk rock elements and performed as "Bobby and the Kennedys" from 2012 to 2019. Noting that the the Kennedys' repertoire and arrangements were nearly identical to Stout Rebellion's, followers persistently asked, "Why not just bring back Stout Rebellion?"
That's exactly what happened in the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic when Bobby, James, et al, once again took up the folk mantle to become the Thursday night house band at Father Paddy's Irish Public House. Bassist Adrian Baxmeyer (bass) joined the band at this time, and the return to a traditional singalong format created the perfect opportunity to revive the name "Stout Rebellion."
(Note: You're right. There's no bassist in this picture. That's tuba player, Portia Njoku, subbing for Adrian on the low end. Insanely fun sound!)
But the band still wasn't done evolving. In 2024, Bobby, James and Adrian decided they wanted to rock and retooled with drums and electric guitar.
With its penchant for punk energy and instrumentation, this latest iteration of Stout Rebellion ironically brings the band back to its deepest roots.
Finally, after more than fifteen years, STOUT REBELLION ROCKS!