Blaggards (no “the,” pronounced BLA-GUARDS or BLA-GHERDS, depending on where you’re from) formed in July 2004 in Houston, Texas.
The band plays what they call Stout Irish Rock: traditional Irish music mixed with rock ’n’ roll, informed by everything from Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley to Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath. They are frequently compared to Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, and the Pogues.
Blaggards are lead vocalist/guitarist Patrick Devlin, bassist/vocalist Chad Smalley, drummer Kevin “Turbo” Newton, and fiddler Emilio Arredondo.
Frontman Patrick grew up in Dublin, Ireland, and tended bar in Irish pubs and music venues for many years before starting his first band. From behind the bar, he recognized a local demand for Irish rock music that nobody was fulfilling. In 1996, he formed On The Dole. The band went on to open for legendary Irish touring acts including the Wolfe Tones and the Saw Doctors, but Patrick eventually decided it was time to clear the decks and start again.
In 2003, while hosting a weekly open mic at an Irish pub, Patrick met bassist and singer Chad Smalley, a veteran of the Houston music scene who had recently returned from New York and was looking for a new project. The two began performing together every week, developing the tight vocal harmonies that would become a hallmark of their sound. A year later, Blaggards was born.
Drummer Kevin “Turbo” Newton joined Blaggards in summer 2022, bringing decades of touring experience with punk bands Pummel and The Easy Kill. His powerful playing, energetic stage presence, and dedication have helped shape the band’s sound and drive.
Fiddler Emilio Arredondo officially joined Blaggards in fall 2026. A friend of the band since its early days, Emilio finally joined them onstage at Oklahoma ScotFest that September, and the chemistry was immediate and undeniable.
James “Jimbo” Edwards first joined Blaggards in 2007 as the band’s second drummer, following original drummer Brian Vogel. In 2026, he returned to fill in for Turbo during his recovery from knee replacement surgery. With no fixed timetable for Turbo’s return, Jimbo is once again helping to shape the band’s sound.
Blaggards maintain a rigorous schedule, performing throughout Texas and touring nationally several times a year. Their annual Ireland tour has become a longstanding tradition, with 2026 marking their twelfth.
The band’s music has also appeared in film and television. Their original instrumental “Kerfuffleful” appears in the New Line Cinema motion picture How to Be Single, released in February 2016.
“Drunken Sailor” and “Big Strong Man,” from their debut album, Standards, were both featured in episode 86 of the CBS series The Good Wife, which aired on March 24, 2013.
“Big Strong Man” also appears in the British film The Kid, directed by Nick Moran and based on the bestselling book by Kevin Lewis.
endorsements
Patrick endorses Diamond Guitars and Diamond Amplification. Turbo endorses SJC Custom Drums.