Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds play punk songs on folk instruments. Not as a gag, but because they really like the noise and they know the songs are much better than people remember.
Adrian Edmondson was a teenager when punk arrived. The songs of The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers were the soundtrack to his life through the late 1970's and early 1980's. And like a lot of people of his generation he was fond of playing these songs to himself at home on his acoustic guitar.
Cut forward to 2007: Adrian 'accidentally' bought a mandolin while tipsy in Soho and woke the next day surprised to find it sitting in his kitchen. Nevertheless he picked it up, worked out a few chords, and started playing the same songs from his youth with a mandolin accompaniment. He was touring with the Bonzos at the time, so he took the mandolin along and with Neil Innes on acoustic guitar, they had a go at London Calling in the dressing room. It sounded good, but Neil said "What you need are some brilliant folk musicians".
So Adrian quickly gathered a band of legendary folk musicians - Maartin Allcock (Fairport Convention, Jethro Tull), Troy Donockley (toured with Midge Ure, Del Amitri, Maddy Prior), Andy Dinan (All Ireland Fiddle Champion!) - and they set about channeling their enthusiasm for the songs into some hard rehearsing. It quickly became apparent that they were onto something special and by 2008 they were off on their first tour.
For 2010 The Bad Shepherds have a second album in the making and will be taking their live show back on the road.
"They don't disappoint, singing punk songs, but with a fluid folk musicality, we get a bunch of well known tunes, a little amicable banter from Edmondson, and some wonderful musical performances. Highlights include a rendition of 'Teenage Kicks' with the instrumentation to 'Whiskey In The Jar', genius. I particularly like that in some perverse way the original ethics of punk have returned to its roots - Joe Strummer would heartily approve." - eFestivals, Wychwood Festival
Album 'Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera!' was released April 2009 (Monsoon Music).
"...this has quickly become one of my favourite albums of the moment" - fROOTS
David O'DohertySunday 16 May 2010, 7.30pm
The Glee Club, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5BZ
Admission:
£15.00 from 0871 472 0400 or glee.co.uk
www.glee.co.uk
