The Crew

The Crew

~ Main Crew ~

Del Merritt (Captain)
Alias- Captain William Wolf (AKA William Wolcott), Billy Bones
Vocals, Mandolin and Bones
Eileen "The Bean" Eggert (First Mate)
Alias- Mad Mardy Bean, Eileen Grimshaw
Vocals, Tin Whistle and Bodhran

Founder and Leader of the Sea Dogs, Del has had a life-long interest in history, traditional music and all things nautical. His work with Celtic bands Kintail, Cwn Annwn and Browne Jenkyn set him on a path that lead here. In addition to performing with the Sea Dogs, Del enjoys Revolutionary War Re-enactments (where he shows up now and again as a Privateer or occasionally a Highwayman) and he plays in plays in Traditional Celtic groups Browne Jenkyn (with wife Eileen Eggert and brother Dave Merritt) and Will-O-Wisp (with Eileen). Eileen "The Bean" Eggert is co-founder of the Sea Dogs and is second in command (though she will say "He only thinks he's in charge"). Her earliest musical endeavour was playing the rope-tension snare drum in the First Highland Watch of Pennsylvania Bagpipe Band. While in 'The Watch', she learned to play tin whistle and bodhran, and she was instrumental in forming the Celtic band Cwn Annwn with Del and Dave Merritt. She is a bona-fide Anglophile with a passion for the 18th century. She drums for the 1st Battalion New Jersey Volunteers, a Loyalist Revolutionary War re-enactment group and plays in Browne Jenkyn and Will-O-Wisp.

Bob Allen (Quartermaster)
Alias- "Long" Bob Allen
Vocals and Guitar
Robbie Allen
Alias- Psycho, Anime Junkie, punkrockpirate
Vocals

Bob Allen has played everything from Led Zeppelin to Country and Western. He brings that wisdom and experience to the Sea Dogs. His harmonies add a depth to the Sea Dog sound. Like any good Quartermaster, he keeps the crew focused and in line. When Bob isn't singing with this motley rabble, he performs in the Classic Rock quartet "The Solution". Robbie Allen, Bob Allen's teenage son, is the youngest of the Sea Dogs. He adds comedy to the band, in addition to his excellent harmonies and singing voice. Being the youngest of the band gives him the role of the cabin boy (and he's simply *ecstatic* about the job). The thing he loves most about sea chanties is the stories they tell. Some of his favourite artists are Seether, Green Day, and Nirvana. Ozzy Osbourne and Kurt Cobain are his main musical influences. His other hobbies include writing, drawing, playing video games, reading manga, and playing in his band... uh... it doesn't have a name...

Stuart Carkeek (Bosun)
Alias- Chamberlain
Vocals and Bagpipes
A former Navy man, Stu has valuable experience and insight. His Naval history and nautical knowledge make him a fine Bosun. He has a great voice and is great fun to have around. He also plays the bagpipes and is skilled in several martial arts. In addition to all this, he is also an avid Dungeons & Dragons player and a member of the SCA.

Fritz the Gnome Broadside Bill

Fritz the Gnome has travelled with Eileen and Del since 1999, joining them at performances and on adventures. You can find out more about Fritz and his travels on his website, "The Adventures of Fritz". No one really knows much about Broadside Bill except that he used to be gunner on a pirate ship, and his eye and leg (and maybe his life) were taken by an enemy broadside. A good chap, though, and good at keeping secrets. Dead men tell no tales (perhaps that's why nobody knows much about him).