Tea Party Fife-And-Drum Duo Ripped Apart By Political Differences Reunite (VIDEO)

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- A Colorado fife-and-drum duo that became a fixture at tea party gatherings has split up over political differences.

Fife player John Weins, of Johnstown, says he has parted ways with snare drummer Mel Hilgenberg because the two strongly disagreed over candidates for Larimer County sheriff.

Weins and Hilgenberg performed as the Liberty Leaders, wearing tri-cornered hats and other Revolutionary War-era garb.

Weins owned the costumes and drum and says he'll continue to perform with a new drummer.

Both members of the erstwhile Liberty Leaders told the Fort Collins Coloradoan that the duo's breakup shows the friction between moderately right-of-center Republicans and more conservative Republicans.

Despite their seemingly irreconcilable differences, however, the feuding drummer and fifer made an appearance on Rachel Maddow's MSNBC show Tuesday night and even played a little number.

Does anyone smell a comeback tour?

Watch the "Liberty Leaders'" interview with Rachel Maddow:

Watch a brief performance by the Liberty Leaders:

Comments

[ButchManowski]

01:57 PM on 08/05/2010

For some: Craving attention will overcome any political or moral sensitivities.

[VietVet67]

01:47 PM on 08/05/2010

Too funny for words.

[whirledgonecrazy]

01:29 PM on 08/05/2010

If people like today's tea baggers had actually been our founding fathers, we would be part of England right now, guaranteed.

[triplettam]

03:22 PM on 08/05/2010

Exactly. The Tories were the neo-con Tea Baggers of the Revolution, despite the purloined imagery Tea Baggers use today. The Tories and the Tea Baggers would never written the words: "All Men Are Created Equal."

[whirledgonecrazy]

06:35 PM on 08/05/2010

Excellent point!

[Rictus Grin]

01:24 PM on 08/05/2010

And yet, as long as they remain in Colorado, they'll never be able to pursue their dream of marriage to one another.

*wipes away a tear*

[CoronaDischarge]

01:13 PM on 08/05/2010

They go together just like peas and carrots.

[Tim in Tucson]

12:45 PM on 08/05/2010

Sounds like they're having a (dare I say it) lovers' spat. Hey guys, it's O.K. to come out of the closet now and stop living the lie! Give each a bear hug, put on your Colonial Village Idi*t costumes, and go attend your teabagger rallies!

[DR JIM]

12:01 PM on 08/05/2010

I'll alert the media.

[DR JIM]

12:00 PM on 08/05/2010

Who cares! WTF!

[whalerpilot]

11:54 AM on 08/05/2010

Trick or treat, nice costumes. Will they be giving tea bags for treats this Halloween or just more tricks. Don't forget to add firearms to your dog and pony show.

[Go Capitalism]

11:45 AM on 08/05/2010

Take a good look, libs. It's real Americans like that, guys who drive trucks and build buildings and defend there borders, who are going to be your leaders, not some elitist professor or gay agenda judge. Overtruning Prop 8 sealed you're doom.

See you in November then we wont see you at all, LOL

[canobserv]

12:34 PM on 08/05/2010

why do republicans h8 America and Americans??..........

[Tim in Tucson]

12:42 PM on 08/05/2010

Teabaggers are nothing more than true hatriots. Too bad they don't understand American History or the American Constitution.

[kmackenz]

11:41 AM on 08/05/2010

Boring. Stupid. Pathetic.

[smchp]

11:22 AM on 08/05/2010

We are supposed to care because? Never heard of these clowns. This is news?

[Freesia2]

11:08 AM on 08/05/2010

Well I was worried. Now if only Led Zeppelin will take a cue and find a way back to a permanent reunion all will be well. Look and learn Robert Plant.

And of course I think it's tragic that the fifer (?) "Weins owned the costumes and drum". It's just terrible when someone take their drum and goes home in a snit. Wars are started this way.

But at least they're reaching out now. This is so touching. Excuse me, I need a moment........

[Budokan]

11:07 AM on 08/05/2010

It's like a soap opera with these Bagger mutants.

[isaidit]

10:25 AM on 08/05/2010

Between these two, I'm guessing a couple neurons and perhaps 7 braincells, Overworked to a frazzle. What a pity. What a pity. What a pity. . .