Ok, Ok, we're a band with a 'bit' of history... from acoustic duos, to punk bands, to folk collectives, to electro and funk, we've been there and done it. But here we are. At the heart of it all has always been the Thud. The remedy to cure all ills. We're now a happy, up-for-it, five piece band, encompassing guitar, harmonica, mandolin, fiddle, bass guitar, bodhran and brotherly harmonies.
Our current incarnation calls forth the evocative sounds of Ireland (ah, the hills and lakes of Connemara) as well as its humour and preoccupations - gambling, drinking, dancing and music. We embody some of the feisty 'rebel' famed by the Celts, English and Americans and ultimately bring everyone together with the bond of story, song and melody.
Dr Thud
Paul Cookney
Dave Connolly
Louis Parsons
Steve Connolly
The namesake and indeed, the beating heart of the band, he does things with a goat skin and stick that you wouldn’t otherwise have thought possible. Using as his main weapon of choice the bodhran (pronounced bough-rawn in Irish vernacular) he’s the pulse that puts life into the remedy. With plenty of years experience playing full kit in rock bands, the feel and simplicity of the bodhran had him captivated from first try.
Dave adds mandolin to the mix and a voice you have to hear to believe. With brother, and fellow singer Steve, the two ride the waves and dips of their songs as one, like they've been doing it forever (which they have!). Known for keeping the party and the music going for many hours after a show has finished, this good time boy feels every nuance of the music from the tip of his toes, and lets you feel it with him. Catch him right and he does a mean jig too!
Louis has served out his apprenticeship on the fiddle with Dr Thud's Remedy over the last five years, and developed into a tremendous musician. Jigs, reels, accompaniments and the occasional speed test, Lou steps up to the mark with aplomb. Now adding a third vocal part to some songs and being involved in the songwriting process, 'lightening' Lou draws attention wherever we travel.
With lead vocals, guitar, harmonica and a... ahem... unique line in patter, Steve has been with the band since its humble beginnings. As well as harmonica on a number of songs, Steve also adds harmonies to the gruff, richness of brother Dave's vocal. The two have been singing and playing together forever and know the rise, fall, tempo and timbre of the others vocal movements - truly a sound to behold. You may even catch him playing the odd ditty on tin whistle if you're lucky!
Our most recent addition, melding our sound with his walking bass lines and crisping us all with his dry sense of humour, Paul has played with some local greats such as Mike Mathieson from Mad Dog McRea and Three Men and a Dog. The poor soul has now entrusted his sanity with Dr Thud's Remedy. And we're very, very happy to have him. Good luck!