Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2009.

It might be hard to get past the idea of comedian Adrian Edmondson being on stage with musicians playing folk versions of punk classics but after opening with The Clash’s I Fought The Law they had the near-capacity crowd in the palm of their hands.

Other songs getting the Bad Shepherd’s treatment included The Stranglers’ hit No More Heroes, The Jam’s Down In The Tube Station At Midnight and Talking Heads’ Once In A Lifetime.

Even when the battery died on his instrument, Adrian and the band were not fazed and turned the few minutes’ lull into comedy by asking the audience for a screwdriver and ignoring the banter about his time on B.B.C.’s Holby City.

The band finished a lively and good humoured night with encores that included Squeeze’s fabulous Up The Junction which was slowed down to great effect.

The night will long in the memory, not only for the quality of music but for Adrian Edmondson’s wonderful comic wit.

Ian D. Hall