The Penny Stinkers

The Penny Stinkers began as a folksy “busking” band; however, through the last decade, it has grown into a unique, high-energy party band that balances trips down memory lane with the latest in musical genres and hard-charging originals.
The group’s robust vocals, in combination with its multi-faceted guitar and rhythm styles, serve to attract an enthusiastic following wherever the band performs. Above all, the Penny Stinkers is a dance band, one that gets people on their feet and dancing, often starting with their very first song. The band is known for extremely long sets, like 3 hours long! Once we have the floor moving with dancers, we tend to keep them there!!

Jeffrey Slough - Rhythm Guitar - Vocals
As the Penny Stinkers primary lead vocalist, Jeffrey’s astounding vocal range and comfortable command of virtually any musical style he tackles ensures crowd-pleasing enjoyment by all within earshot. Jeffrey also provides a rhythm guitar backdrop to the Penny Stinkers sound.
Jeffrey began performing as a musician, singer/songwriter and comedian with the United States Air Force. He subsequently toured throughout Europe for a number of years, playing venues that ranged from grand theaters to small-town squares. After returning to the United States he studied musical theater and developed the powerful vocal style that has become his trademark. Jeffrey’s ability to move from smooth-edged balladeer to a forceful rasp reminiscent of Tom Waits — sometimes within the same song — keeps audiences spellbound and in rapt attention. In addition to performing throughout the United States and Europe, Jeffrey has used his command of music to teach high school students for over 20 years, and truly enjoys introducing young people to American folk music.

Michael Handron - Lead Guitar - Vocals
Michael began his professional work as a guitar player in the Los Angeles and Ventura, California, region soon after graduating high school in that area. As a Gen X kid growing up in the LA ’80s, he was exposed to all the funky Glam and Alternative music of the times. Those experiences shaped him into a guitar player that appreciates — and can perform — a wide variety of guitar styles reflective of that musical melting pot.
His guitar heroes range from Angus to Edge, Gilmore to Prince, as well as many flavors in between. Michael relishes his role as a tasteful, smooth lead guitar player but also enjoys kicking on the wah-wah pedal to get the dance floor moving.
There have been many bands and singer/songwriters he has been privileged to accompany on his musical journey, ranging in styles from rock, pop, new wave, reggae, funk, ska, Americana and swing. Michael brings all of those influences to the Penny Stinkers, as well as his many years of experience in playing with original and cover bands in clubs, festivals, amusement parks — and the occasional dive bars — up and down the west coast. Michael knows how to assist audience members in having as great a time at every performance as he does playing and happily brings his experience and enthusiasm to the Penny Stinkers party mindset.
Michael also adds a beautifully melodic voice to the Penny Stinkers songs whenever he sings lead, as well as doing his part in the three- and four-part harmonies that are a hallmark of the band.

JD Sinclair - Bass Guitar - Vocals
I've always felt bass, I dig it. It's the foundation. It reaches to the core of your backbone; it drives your feet and body to the music.
I get to drive the bus. When you drive the bus, things shake and heads bob, it's great!
Bass has such a unique space to fill: it's intimate with the drums like crackers and cheese; Rhythm guitar plays off of you like fondue, and lead guitar and you share a circus together. Where else would I be...?


Michael Lanz - trap set - percussion
It started with a bet. At the age of twelve, Mike was wagered by his father to play Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road, Jack” without dropping the beat. No chump change either—$5 in cash. Needless to say, Mike started his musical career in deep financial debt. Since then, Mike has been providing grooves for numerous bands in the pacific northwest for the last twenty years. Honing a repertoire to support myriad styles, Mike sports subtle ghost notes and lush cymbal swells as well as attacking the kit with thumping backbeats. Preferring to keep his trap set simple and classic, Mike truly utilizes every inch of his kit. You’ll often find him tossing out rimshots and occasionally incorporating the metallic tones of his stands with his sticks. As the newest member of the Penny Stinkers, Mike has responsibilities that lie beyond music. Without Mike, drink coasters wouldn’t be regularly rotated during rehearsals and the pretzel bowl would simply go empty.