Original Music | Classic Rock Covers | Irish Folk Songs

Musical Revelry!

The Bards are a progressive folk rock band based in Annapolis, MD. Since 2021, The Bards have performed all over the state, including the Maryland Day Festival at Power Plant Live! in Baltimore, Pirate Invasion at Ram’s Head On Stage, various Annapolis St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and multiple weekends each year at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville.

The Bards’ original material features classic rock elements and orchestral compositions, strong harmonies, and creative storytelling lyrics alongside their signature prog/folk style. Their original albums, The Bards (2021) and Tales from the Swindling Serpent (2024), can be found on all streaming services.

Along with their growing repertoire of original songs, The Bards enjoy playing a wide range of rock covers and Irish folk tunes. Some of their favorites are Hold the Line by Toto, Fooling Yourself by Styx, and the traditional tunes Drunken Sailor and The Irish Rover. These songs and more can be found on their EPs: The Bards Crawl (2023) and We've Got This Covered (2025).

The Bards consist of original members John Bachkosky and Kevin Strasser, who grew up in Severna Park, Maryland, and Alyssa McKinney, who joined The Bards in 2025 on keyboards and flute. Prior to The Bards, John and Kevin worked together on multiple musical projects throughout high school and college, including their first band, DeD Walrus, and Severna Park High School's Rock N Roll Revival. Alyssa is a classically trained flutist whose love for alternative music (and growing up plunking on her mom’s baby grand) led her to the keyboard.

Greg Mazur (2021-24), a founding member of The Bards, was integral in creating the signature sound of The Bards through his strong vocal performances, inspiring keyboard abilities, and poetic lyrics.

The Bards are an independent band. All of The Bards’ albums are self-produced, with Kevin Strasser as sound engineer and producer in his home studio, Shady Side Studios.

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FAQs

What genres of music do you play?

1

We pride ourselves on including something for everyone at a typical Bards show! Our cover song repertoire is a wide range, including classic rock covers from artists like Queen, Fleetwood Mac, and Pat Benatar, to modern song selections from artists like P!nk, Panic! at the Disco, and even some video game medleys from Pokemon and Halo! We also play Irish folk tunes and sea shanties, like The Wellerman, Whiskey in the Jar, and the Irish Rover, among others!

Do you take requests?

2

We are always happy to entertain a suggestion to add to our repertoire, but in order to maximize the quality of our shows, we typically do not take requests. For private events, including weddings, we will learn specific songs at the client’s request depending on how much time we have to arrange and prepare the song.

Do you provide your own sound equipment?

3

Yes! We bring our own equipment when necessary, and mix the shows ourselves.

How many members are in the band?

4

There are three active members of The Bards: John Bachkosky, Alyssa McKinney, and Kevin Strasser. What music we are unable to play live is recorded and mixed for playback by Kevin to provide the highest quality show possible anywhere we go.

How do I book The Bards?

5

Please reach out to us via email at thebandbards@gmail.com

  • A person playing the violin on stage, focused on the music, with stage lighting and a dark background.

    John Bachkosky

    VIOLIN & VOCALS

  • A young woman playing a flute at a microphone, with music sheets in front of her, in an outdoor setting.

    Alyssa McKinney

    KEYS, FLUTE, & VOCALS

  • A man with long hair, beard, and bandana playing an electric guitar on stage.

    Kevin Strasser

    GUITAR & VOCALS