Captain Flange

Captain Flange Biography
Written by John Lomax IX
“The real strength of his music is its ability to get to the core of an emotion, to reach the true heart of things”.
Lemmy
On the magic of Captain Flange
Rolling Stone Magazine July 1997
He worked as a You Am I roadie for 4 years, then struck out on his own, moving to Canowindra to be in the heart of the burgeoning music scene. He earned a few bucks giving piano accordion lessons and there were a few gigs at the Royal Hotel. He was going nowhere, yet he dreamed of taking control of an audience and being a star.
It was during this time that Lenny Joh Drynkendorf Jr. was urged by friends to change his name if a recording career was to be in his future. His friends suggested the name Jimmy Sommerville, but he’s that poof in Bronski Beat. He ultimately took his stage name from the family company, Stainless Insert Flange Company in Aston, Pennsylvania.
Captain Flange was born. But it wasn’t an easy process. It took some time to find the soul of the Flange.
“When I discovered I was adopted, and had never been to the ancestral home, it struck hard. I decided to take on the business name of my biological family. It made a huge difference to my approach. Tim McGraw told me it had the same effect on him.”
He experienced his first major break in the music industry when he was chosen from 250 other hopefuls as lead singer for the popular Schnitzel Trio, which later became Las Vegas based The Heroes Avenue Jam Band.
“It all happened so fast.” Flange reflects, “I was doing the RSL circuit in the Central West of NSW, then all of a sudden, Vegas. New Orleans. Memphis”.
Other bands followed and he traveled the world. "Tesura" was a huge success in Northern Mexico. “Interstate” took jazz fusion to percussive heights. “Sharp Young Men” was a hit on the shuffleboard circuit. Then the wave of nostalgia hit and the innovator created his most successful act to date, Diamond Romeo.
All of this emerged as a reflection of Lenny Joh’s personal growth and artistic evolution. But it almost ended, forever.
“The 50s vibe took control of my life. I was eating 6 or 7 burgers a day and washing them down with thick shake after thick shake. I packed on so much weight that my roadies had to re-enforce the piano bench.”
After a 6 month break to reconnect with his spirituality, he bounced back.
“I decided to focus on the small things. The hot nude yoga and protein diet showed me the way”
His new heartfelt urgings of the peace on earth and compassion became consistent themes. The focus became reaching people with a gentle manner on his records and at live performances.
His humanitarian work continues to strengthen our global village, and his dynamic celebration of life, spirit and nature is a powerful inspiration to us all.
“After I got it together, in my head, I decided that I’d give something back. I decided to dedicate time to the people”.
The message of love continues with the debut EP from Captain Flange, “The Walmsley Sessions” due in August.
TRADEMARK MOVES:
The Jankle Lock, The Spanish-Fly, The 420, The Jaeger-Plex, The Stupor-Plex, "Hajime-Snake Style-Eagle Claw!"
Captain Flange Q & A
A chat with Author, Chef and adman Dallas Bogan
Q: Who is Captain Flange?
A: I Could be seen as the quiet achiever of Australian country music.
Q: Your History?
After studying at the prestigious Canowindra College of Music, I recorded some commercial jingles. Just to make a living, you know. Then I handed Tim Rogers his towels and water bottles for several years. I was head roadie for You Am I for almost 4 years.
Q: What did you do to pay your dues?
I started a rockin' funk outfit called The Heroes Avenue Jam Band. After touring around Eugowra, Parkes & Forbes for 6 months, we tried our luck in the USA. Success came fast. Reno for a month, Tunica for 2 months, then Las Vegas. Within weeks we became the highest grossing Vegas jam band, even before the Spin Doctors. We took hemp power and patchouli oil to Fremont Street. Our earth tones were revolutionary.
Q: What came next?
The glitz and 8 shows a week wore me down. I formed a fusion ensemble in New York, called Interstate. Trumpet, vibes and 6 percussionists. Gillard on lead.
Q: And after that?
Fusion just didn’t pay the bills, so I formed a 17 piece world music group, Sharp Young Men. We played a travel convention and were discovered by a Cunard entertainment scout. We went around the world on the QE2 and played the Crystal Bar for 10 months. After that trip I took 3 days off then began work on my next project.
Q: What was the next project?
I hit the international club circuit, with my 50s style band, Diamond Romeo. It was a total blur. It wasn’t good for my health.
Q: Was it a tough time for you?
That band was the beginning of my decline. The fatty food just got to me. It was burgers & fries every night. And a couple of milkshakes to wash it down. I had played every kind of music and still didn’t feel right inside.
Q: Surely it wasn’t the food that made you quit the band?
It became hard because I wasn’t getting along with the guys in the band. Our bass player kept talking about the theology behind “At The Hop”. Santini, who looked fantastic in gold lame, just wanted to bash people. I couldn’t deal with the pressure. 160 over 120. I was angry too.
Q: Why?
Mostly the underlying themes of the music. I was fine with the world music, but the fifties stuff is full of rage.
Q: So what did you do?
I took a break. Hot nude yoga and a diet of 4 simple ingredients. Pure water. Gently roasted malted barley. Rare Belgian yeast. Golden hops. I found peace and purpose.
Q: Was this where you started writing songs?
No, not really. I wanted to get to the core of the emotion. I’d been hiding behind harps and green tea. I needed to find the true heart of things. So I looked for songs to interpret. I also worked on a few movie soundtracks, in Canberra.
Q: Tell us about your songs.
I aim for delicately crafted tales about the small things of life. The things that make it worth living.
Q: What about the fan favourites?
A: My trademark songs are perceptive stories about the joys and struggles of life; the importance of love and family; and the strength that comes through faith.
Q: How have you grown as an artist?
it's very important that there's a sense of growth and development. From the first track to the 3rd, there has to be progress.
Q: Is the 3rd track important?
It defines my style and approach to music. All of the songs speak for themselves. It matters to me that my interpretations say something, that they touch people's hearts and minds.
Q: You have performed all over the world?
“I thought that I might be able to do something to further the cause of East/West understanding. (This) seemed like a good time to see the face behind all the propaganda. The Russians say that the first swallow of spring won’t make the weather for the whole season, but it can mark the turn toward a warmer climate. I tried to be that swallow.”
Title History:
* NNSWA Middleweight Title
* IWA Jr. Heavyweight Title
* UNSWA World Welterweight Title (1)
* ISA World Light Heavyweight Title (2)
* NWWA World Light Heavyweight Title (1)
* NWWA World Jr. Light Heavyweight Title (1)
* NWA World Middleweight Title
* UNSWA/UWFUW Intercontinental Tag Team Titles (w/ Dangerman)
* IWA Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles (w/ Dangerman)
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