Energy Orchard were an Irish guitar-based rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s, from Belfast. Fronted by Bap Kennedy (brother of Irish singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy), their style drew heavily on the influence of Van Morrison and other classic RnB, but incorporated traditional elements of Irish folk music to create a unique sound. The band emerged from the remnants of two other Belfast punk/new wave bands namely The Bank Robbers and 10 Past 7. For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... This article is about the city in Northern Ireland. ... Bap Kennedy is a singer/songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... Brian Edward Patrick Kennedy (born 12 October 1966) is an Irish singer-songwriter and author. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a singer-songwriter from Belfast, Northern Ireland. ... For other uses, see Rhythm and blues (disambiguation). ... Folk music can have a number of different meanings, including: Traditional music: The original meaning of the term folk music was synonymous with the term Traditional music, also often including World Music and Roots music; the term Traditional music was given its more specific meaning to distinguish it from the...

Following much hype of the bands early live gigs at the New Pegasus the band were signed to MCA on the personal recommendation of Steve Earle.

The band consisted of:

• Bap Kennedy (lead vocals)
• Paul Toner (lead guitar)
• David Toner (percussion)
• Spade McQuaid (rhythm guitar)
• Joby Fox (bass guitar)
• Kevin Breslin (keyboards)

Whilst the majority of the songs were written by Bap Kennedy, it was Joby Fox that wrote their biggest hit "Belfast," However, following personal problems Joby left to be replaced for a short time by Steve Lawrence. In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... Lead guitar refers to a role within a band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ... Percussion instruments are played by being struck, shaken, rubbed or scraped. ... Rhythm guitar is a guitar that is primarily used to provide rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment for a singer or for other instruments in an ensemble. ... A sunburst-colored Precision Bass The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, popping or using a pick. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ...

Following another re-jig Spade McQuaid switched to bass in what would become the final line up until the band parted in 1997.

As stated earlier the first single, Belfast, which was their most successful song reaching 45 in the UK chart and even featured on Eastenders was written by Joby Fox and was released in 1990 on MCA records, followed up with Sailortown. The first album, Energy Orchard, was released to some critical appreciation, but with some reservations about it being overproduced (producer was Mick Glossop of Van Morrison fame), somewhat diluting the band's raw live sound. Subsequent albums compensated for this, the 1992 release Stop the Machine, 1993's Shinola (released on Essential Records), Pain Killer (1995) and the 1996 live album Orchardville. MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc. ... Energy Orchard was the self-titled, debut album from Northern Ireland based rock band, Energy Orchard, and was released in 1990. ... Stop the Machine was the second album from Northern Ireland based rock band, Energy Orchard, and was released in 1992. ... Shinola was the third album from Northern Ireland based rock band, Energy Orchard, and was released in 1993. ... Essential Records is a subsidiary of London Records and is an offshoot of Pete Tongs Essential Selection programme on Radio 1. ... Pain Killer was the fourth album from Northern Ireland based rock band, Energy Orchard, and was released in 1995. ...

Despite extensive touring, the breakthrough to mainstream success eluded them. The band having completed their contract with Castle Communications in 1996 disbanded. The split up saw Bap Kennedy go on to launch a successful solo career (his first album saw a renewed partnership with Steve Earle), whilst Spade McQuade and Kevin Breslin relocated to Jacksonville Florida. Whilst there they played together in local band Celtic Soul, prior to Spade launching his own group Spade McQuade and the Allstars.

Both Paul and David Toner left the music industry with Paul reading Law and Queens University Belfast and David for a time moving to Sweden to teach English.

I am currently writing this from Majorca but will complete upon my return to England.....Alan