CRAWLEY FOLK: The Bad Shepherds
PUNK songs on folk instruments are the appeal of The Bad Shepherds who look certain to be one of the highlights of the Crawley Folk Festival.
For punk-fan and one-time Young One Adrian Edmondson it's the fulfilment of a childhood dream.
"I have wanted to be in a band ever since I was 13," says Adrian who until now has found his fame elsewhere, not just through television's The Young Ones, but in Bottom and The Comic Strip Presents as well.
All of which has been totally accidental, he laughs. It was the being in a band that he coveted most.
"And now I am doing something that I really love. We will just see how far it goes."
Adrian 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 70s and early 80s - songs he used to play at home on his acoustic guitar.
Thirty years later, after a boozy pre-Christmas lunch in Soho, Adrian stumbled along to Denmark Street, home of many musical instrument shops.
While inebriated, he recalls, he 'accidentally' bought a mandolin. Surprised to see it sitting there in his kitchen the following morning he picked it up, worked out a few chords, and started playing the same songs with a mandolin accompaniment.
He was touring with The Bonzos at the time and he brought his mandolin along.
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."
And that's what Adrian has got now: "The musicians I have got around me are really stellar."
Just right to deliver an unusual tribute to punk.
"I have always loved punk. I grew up on punk. And then we all met up with musicians - with no obligation, and it worked. Instead of lead breaks, we just stick in jigs and reels.
"I have always thought that the songs of that era were better than people realised. There were some fantastic songs. Down In The Tube Station At Midnight has got fantastic lyrics. The Clash have got fantastic lyrics. Most people probably never really heard The Sex Pistols' lyrics."
Adrian and the band are playing at The Hawth, Crawley, as part of the Crawley Folk Festival (Friday June 26-Sunday June 28), featuring more than 30 bands playing music from acoustic and folk to roots, blues, country and much more spread over five stages and three days.
To get the weekend off to a great start, folk-rockers Oysterband will be taking to the main stage and the studio will be hosting a blues night with Chuck Farley supported by Steve Jones and Sonny Black.
Adrian is among the acts lined up for the Saturday (June 27, 5.30pm). Tickets on 01293 553636.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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