Speed the Plough is a New Jersey-based band that has been playing since 1984. The name, from an old Scottish folk song, was plucked from a book of sheet music just days before our first gig, which was at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ. Founded by John and Toni Baumgartner and Marc Francia, the band has had numerous line-ups over the years, including former members Rich Barnes, Stanley Demeski, Jim DeRogatis, John Neilson, Chris O’Donovan, Frank O’Toole, Pete Pedulla, and Brenda Sauter. Speed the Plough rose out of the ashes of The Trypes, a band formed in 1982 by John, Toni, Marc and Elbrus Kelemet, and later joined by Glenn Mercer, Bill Million, Dave Weckerman, Stan Demeski and Brenda Sauter.

STP released four full-length albums on the East Side Digital label: Speed The Plough (1989), Wonder Wheel (1991), Mason’s Box (1993) and Marina (1995). In addition, they released a limited edition single on the French label Acetone and had songs featured in two independent films: Strangest Deams (1990) and Paradise Park (1993).

After a long hiatus, the latest incarnation of STP was launched in the Summer of 2009 with John and Toni’s son Mike on guitar and Marc’s sons Ian and Dan on drums and bass, respectively. They recorded Swerve, the band’s first album in 15 years, which was self-released in May 2010. Later in 2010, they recorded three new songs, dubbed The Summer Sessions, in August 2010. Those songs were released in September.

2011 continued to bring exciting developments. First, Ed Seifert joined the band, bringing his distinctive guitar-picking and vocal talents. And in August, STP released their sixth full-length album, Shine, on Dromedary Records.

2012 will start with two blasts from the past: First up is the late-April release of the Trypes compilation, Music For Neighbors, on Acute Records. (On vinyl, featuring the entire Explorer’s Hold, better quality versions of stuff you’ve been bootlegging for years, and stuff you’ve never heard before.) Next up, probably late Summer, is a compilation of the first four STP albums, to be released by Dromedary. Much more to follow on this, but plans are to also have some brand new tracks available for inclusion in a deluxe version. Stay tuned.