The Prodigals

The Prodigals are a New York Irish band that started in 1997, in a tradition started by the Pogues and Black 47, merging traditional Irish melodic roots with rock rhythms. They have six albums to date, the eponymous The Prodigals (1997); Go On (1999), effectively the band's breakout album; Dreaming in Hell's Kitchen (2001, produced by Scottish fiddler and producer Johnny Cunningham); Needs Must When the Devil Drives (2003, produced by Howie Beno, who notably also produced the Red Hot Chili Peppers single Give It Away Now); a live album/DVD, Beachland Bootleg (2005); and Momentum, 2006. The band has its own distinctive sound, particularly distinguished by the lead melodic roles being filled by button-key accordion and bass along with the vocals, and has received substantial critical notice through the years (see general write-up on allmusic.com and more in-depth commentary on the band's own website, www.prodigals.com .)