After playing for two days with Donockley, a virtuoso uilleann pipes player and multi-instrumentalist, they had arranged eight songs.

[2] After some initial experimentation, they enlisted Dinan, winner of the All-Ireland Fiddle Championship, and the band was formed.

[3][4][5] After touring the United Kingdom during 2008, the Bad Shepherds released their debut album, Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera!

The band released their second album, By Hook or By Crook, with former Steeleye Span member Tim Harries playing double bass, in 2010.

[1] The album was released on 19 August 2013, and included both cover versions of punk and new wave tracks, plus their own material.