Spud -

Spud was an Irish folk-rock band from Dublin that made the 1974/75 Philips albums A Silk Purse and The Happy Handful, followed by the 1977 release Smoking on the Bog.

Members: Michael Smith (vocals, bass), Don Knox (vocals, fiddle, viola, harmonica), Dermot O’Connor (vocals, electric guitar, mandolin, harp, 1973-?), Austin Kenny (mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar, recorder, 1973-?), Bal Kennedy (mandolin, autoharp, vocals, 1979-80), Jimmy Gibson (guitar, vocals, 1979-80), Don Harris (drums, vocals, 1979-80)

Background

Spud formed in January 1973 in Dublin when vocalist-guitarist Dermot O’Connor, bassist Michael Smith, fiddler Don Knox, and guitarist Austin Kenny assembled as a quartet.

Knox played in a school orchestra in Londonderry before he taught music in Scotland. The fiddler also performed as a soloist on radio and worked as a session musician. Knox later studied economics at Trinity College Dublin, where he formed the folk duo Chucklestuff with former schoolmate Jackie Reynolds. Several future Spud members played together in the folk group Thatch, and Knox also belonged to the Weavers before his work with Spud.

Spud performed in April at the Turn of the Century in Galway and supported Steeleye Span at the State Cinema in July. The quartet also shared a National Stadium bill with Alan Stivell. Spud recorded “Blubber’s Mother” and “Kitty Lie Over” at Eamonn Andrews Studios for a 1973 Ros Records.

Earl Gill managed Spud by the following spring during a Sunday residency at the Old Shieling. The quartet signed a three-year contract with Polydor and released their 1974 second single “Blackleg Miner” through Philips in Ireland. Spud returned to Eamonn Andrews Studios later that year for the A Silk Purse sessions with Dónal Lunny as producer.

Discography: