By snoadmin
Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Celtic punk band that formed in Los Angeles nearly 13 years ago, and has sold millions of records around the world since. Although they have been a critical component of past Warped Tour lineups, they are anything but an ordinary punk band. Featured in video games and Hollywood blockbuster films like “P.S. I Love You,” Flogging Molly has gained notoriety while popularizing the Celtic sound.
Vocalist Dave King was born in Dublin and, prior to the formation of Flogging Molly, gained experience as the front man of a few heavy metal bands. That could explain the good-natured hard rock roots detected in most of their songs, like the 2002 single “Drunken Lullabies.” Its heavy drum beat has surely started many circle pits.
As a whole, their live act exudes great amounts of infectious enthusiasm. However, with most of their songs, it’s the musical emphasis on the fiddle and accordion that makes them memorable.
Like most Celtic bands, Flogging Molly’s lyrics typically follow the themes of Ireland and its history, drinking, politics and death, to name a few. Although their sound has taken a different approach in recent years, the homeland still appears to be dear to King’s heart.
With such close ties to the LA scene as well, the band can often be found performing around town. Since Flogging Molly received their first major bookings at the Irish pub Molly Malone’s on Fairfax Avenue, the bar became the inspiration for the band’s name. They recently released a live DVD/CD set entitled “Live At the Greek Theatre,” which was recorded last September at the Los Angeles venue.
The Pogues
The Pogues are often referred to as the grandfathers of Celtic rock. Irish music saw a new light of day when the band’s music reached mainstream popularity in the early ’80s.
A mix of Irish and English backgrounds, the eight musicians first broke onto the scene in their hometown of London with their nostalgic single that paid homage to the city, entitled “Dark Streets of London.”
Even today, their influence is widely heard due to the large majority of modern Celtic punk bands who cite The Pogues as their biggest influence. As for The Pogues, their politically charged songs draw the most inspiration from The Clash. However, it was their repetitive use of the tin whistle, banjo, mandolin and accordion that redefined popular standards of that time.
Remaining true to today’s definition of Celtic rock songs, The Pogues frequently wrote about pubs and drinking, like in one of their best known songs, “Sally MacLennane.” Named after a type of dark beer, the song’s rhythm is easily accompanied by traditional Irish step dancing. It seems almost necessary to clap along as the lyrics read, “I took the jeers and drank the beers and crawled back home at dawn / And ended up a barman in the morning.”
In 1996, lead singer Shane McGowan began engaging in heated arguments with other members of the band regarding their political orientation. Notorious for their politically-tinged music, McGowan has claimed in past interviews that the band didn’t want to sing songs that were obviously too pro-republican.
The band tentatively broke up before reuniting in 2001 for a Christmas tour in the UK. Although The Pogues’ most recent shows have received mixed reviews, their contribution to the progression of Celtic rock will forever be embedded in popular music history.
The Real McKenzies
The Real McKenzies has set themselves apart from the average Celtic rock band primarily through the inclusion of bagpipes in all of their studio albums and at most of their concerts.
Formed in Vancouver, Canada, the nine-piece band is deeply rooted in their Scottish heritage, rather than the typical Irish background prided by most bands of a similar sound.
If the sound doesn’t convince audiences that the McKenzies are something unique, then anyone who attends their live show can bear witness. Onstage, the guys don traditional kilts and high stockings.
Front man Paul McKenzie leads the high-energy act with his rich voice full of volume. Their close similarities to dry punk music leaves no room for doubt as to why the band has received some commercial success. Through support from beer commercials and video games, The Real McKenzies have embarked on several recent tours including a week-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Canada.
Known for resurrecting traditional Scottish songs and giving them a new punk-influenced sound, The Real McKenzies highlight a pride in their legacy while still remembering the likeability of drinking songs, like their recent release “Drink Some More.”
With seven studio albums under their belt, the kilt-clad lads enter a music scene of repetition with blaring bagpipes and an appetite for filthy punk shows and Scotch whiskey. It’s hard to ignore the urge to hoist a glass and dance a jig as their music rings out into the night.
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys is a Celtic hardcore punk band with an emphasis on raw, raspy vocals that shout lyrics like they are a hymn to the Irish gods. Hailing from a notoriously Irish region of Boston, Mass., the seven-piece band quickly gained a following after their debut album in 1998.
However, it was their 2005 song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” that really put them on the mainstream map. The song became a favorite with sports crowds, being featured during Boston Celtics timeouts as well as during warm up pitches for the Boston Red Sox. The team even danced a jig to the song after they clinched the 2007 World Series title.
Most notably though, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” appeared on the soundtrack of the Academy Award-winning Best Picture “The Departed.” Repeated throughout the film, the unforgettable tune gave the movie an extra flair that called the attention of many to their artistry.
The Murphys took a more serious turn in the song “Last Letter Home.” According to their album liner notes, before any general version could be released, the group was contacted by the family of Sgt. Andrew Farrar who recently died.
The band re-wrote the song to include excerpts from that letter. All proceeds from the single were sent to the Farrar family.
The Murphys will release a new live DVD/CD set Tuesday, entitled “Live on Lansdowne, Boston MA.”
The American Wake
The American Wake is a five-piece Celtic folk rock band from Orange County. Having performed throughout Southern California, their aggressive, fast-paced live act attracts steady audiences.
In particular, their song “Oh My Guinness” asks for crowd interaction to gain participants in their drinking competition. One audience member is selected to gulp down four pints of Guinness during an instrumental break in the song. Rowdy cheers from the crowd typically provoke a win out of the chosen participant.
Aside from the band’s obvious energy on stage, the mandolin and fiddle provide traditional Irish credibility to back up front man Eric Ree’s smooth yet powerful voice. Although it may lack the typical native twang that is so often heard in Celtic rock bands, this proves beneficial to the originality of The American Wake.
During the live show, Ree easily transitions from “Oh My Guinness” to a cover of the rap anthem “Jump Around” by House of Pain. To most people, that would seem like a questionable move, but with The American Wake, the two songs almost seem suited for one another.
Dublin-born drummer Damien Murray attributes to the prominent rhythm section, heard especially in the fast-paced song “The Drinking Jolly Roger.” Keeping with the theme of appropriate jingles for gathering around the beer tap, the song chants for listeners to “raise that drink and Jolly Roger” while the fiddle works to fill in the blanks between chants.
According to their Web site, the quintet has already toured Long Beach and are set to play Gallagher’s Pub
on St. Patrick’s Day this Wednesday. They will begin the day by providing music for a traditional Irish breakfast and then continue to play on and off all night.
