Overview[]
The Bad Shepherds were a folk group fronted by Adrian Edmondson. The band was formed in 2008 with Ade on vocals, mandolin and mandola, Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes, cittern, whistles and vocals, and Andy Dinan on fiddle. Ade has said over the years that he much preferred touring with the band than acting for stage and television, as he finds it much more fun. The band's style incorporated traditional folk and jig takes on modern music, focusing particularly on the punk and new wave songs from the 1980s/1990s. They released three studio albums, and in 2010 won the Best Live Act award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
A UK tour was planned for 2017, however on 31st October 2016, Adrian Edmondson and Troy Donockley announced via the band website that they were breaking up. Edmondson cited a desire to bow out whilst they were on a high, rather than "flog it to death, and end up being a bit shit."
Members[]
Adrian Edmondson - vocals, mandolin, mandola.
Troy Donockley - vocals, uilleann pipes, cittern, whistles.
Tim Harries - bass.
Terl Bryant - percussion.
History[]
According to the band's official website, at Christmastime 2007 Ade stumbled drunk into a musical instrument shop and ended up purchasing a mandolin. Already an established guitar player, he spent the night applying his skills to the new instrument and loved the way it sounded. At the time he was touring with the Bonzos, and was encouraged by the lead singer thereafter to form a folk group.
Discography[]
2009 - Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera!
2010 - By Hook Or By Crook
2013 - Mud, Blood & Beer