Dropkick Murphys
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Template:Infobox band Dropkick Murphys are a Celtic Punk band formed in the Irish Catholic working class neighborhoods of South Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They practiced in the basement of a friend's barbershop, blending punk rock, Oi!, Irish folk, rock, and hardcore into something they could call their own. Their influences include such outfits as Stiff Little Fingers, The Pogues, and The Clash. Their name was taken from a local rehab center. They typically close their concerts with "Skinhead on the MBTA," a parody of "The MTA Song."
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Band history
Dropkick Murphys were formed in 1995 by Mike McColgan (vocals), Ken Casey (bass guitar), Rick Barton (guitar). After cycling through a series of drummers the band settled on Matt Kelly in 1997. The band put out a series of EPs and were signed by Hellcat Records releasing their first full length album, Do or Die, in the same year. Soon after the album's release, McColgan left the band, citing his inability to commit to touring. He was replaced by Al Barr, formerly of The Bruisers. In 1999, they released their follow-up album, The Gang's All Here, and major changes were on the way. Lars Frederiksen, who had produced Dropkick's first two albums, exited to pursue other interests, and Barton left after getting married. James Lynch from local band Ducky Boys was named as his successor. The band also recruited second guitarist Marc Orrell, (also a self-taught accordionist and pianist) as well as Spicy McHaggis on permanent bagpipe duties and Ryan Foltz on mandolin and tin whistle.
In 2001, Dropkick released the album Sing Loud, Sing Proud!. The album showcased their developing sounf, and included collaborations with former Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan and Cock Sparrer's Colin McFaull. Their next album, Blackout, was released in 2003. Prior to the album's release, McHaggis left the band to get married, and Foltz also left later on. James "Scruffy" Wallace filled in bagpipe duties, and Tim Brennan took up mandolin, tin whistle and acoustic guitar. The new album included the radio hit "Walk Away," as well as the song "Fields of Athenry," which made its debut on the compilation album Atticus: Dragging the Lake Vol. 2.
In 2005, the Dropkick Murphys released "Singles Collection Volume 2", featuring covers, b-sides, and other material that didn't make it onto previous albums. Their fifth (and latest) studio album is The Warrior's Code which was released on June 21, 2005. It features the single "Sunshine Highway", as well as the bonus track, "Tessie". After the tour of The Warrior's Code, Dropkick Murphys have confirmed that they are taking a break from touring. There is rumored a sixth studio album yet to be recorded, but the band confirmed that it may not happen until likely towards the end of 2006 or beginning of 2007.
Criticism
The Dropkick Murphys, Rancid and other "street punk" bands have been subject to criticism from some sections of the punk scene for their avowedly "working class" allegiance and alleged glorification of violence. The song Tightrope, recorded by Chicago pop-punk band Screeching Weasel and released on the 1999 b-side compilation, Thank You Very Little, appeared to be directed specifically at the Dropkick Murphys and Rancid (Ben Weasel writes in the liner notes that the song is a "sarcastic, accusatory song aimed at the resurgence of tough-guy, so-called working class or street punk bands"). The Dropkick Murphys have not issued any public response to the song. Rancid, however, did note in the liner notes to their 2003 album, Indestructible, that they have been referred to as a "pack of badgers", one of the lyrics in "Tightrope." On the new album, the song "Wicked Sensitive Crew" mocks the Dropkick Murphys as testosterone-fuelled fighting men. Whether it is a serious effort to portray the band as such is debatable.
Joe King, frontman for New Hampshire punk band The Queers and a close friend of Screeching Weasel frontman Ben Weasel, has also been known to criticize the effect that the Dropkick Murphys have had on the punk scene. Wrote King in 2005 dispatch on the official Queers website, "With all this stupid fucking Irish/Dropkick BS these days the whole punk scene (what's left of it) is full of assholes that just wanna fight." In the same entry King goes on to recount a story told to him by a member of the Australian punk band, Frenzal Rhomb, that the Dropkick Murphys entertained the guitarist from the notorious far right-wing punk band, Skrewdriver, after the two bands had completed a gig.
Response to Criticism
In response to criticism that the band is racist, fans of the band point out that they have performed shows to benefit the Anti-Racist Action group, participated in the Unity Festival to promote racial harmony, and have done shows in Asia. Of note is also this quote from Casey:
"There's a lot of people that are confused and even think that we're a racist band just because we have somewhat of a skinhead following. It's almost like you get sick of talking about this with so many people. I think anyone who buys our CDs and listens to the music would know we aren't. But most people who have that negative and closed-minded attitude don't listen to the music."
The following quote elaborates on the point:
"Sometimes I feel like I'm repeating myself over and over again to educate the public that not all skinheads are racist, and as a matter of fact there's a large majority of them that aren't. What with the power of the media and them seeming to want to keep that misinterpretation going because it's probably more entertaining, I find that it's almost like a battle you can't win." [1]
It should be noted, though, that the criticism from Weasel and Queer does not ascribe any racism to members of the Dropkick Murphys, but rather alleges that their music tends to glorify violence and a mob mentality.
Discography
Full Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Chart Positions |
| 1997 | Do or Die | Epitaph | - |
| 1999 | The Gang's All Here | Epitaph | #184 US |
| 2001 | Sing Loud Sing Proud | Epitaph | #144 US |
| 2002 | Live on St. Patrick's Day From Boston, MA | Epitaph | #156 US |
| 2003 | Blackout | Epitaph | #83 US |
| 2005 | The Warrior's Code | Epitaph | #48 US |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label |
| 2004 | Tessie | Hellcat |
Singles and 7' compilations
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1997 | Boys on the Docks | Cyclone Records |
| 1997 | DKM/Ducky Boys Spilt | Flat Records |
| 1997 | DKM/Bruisers Split | Pogostick Records. |
| 1997 | DKM/Anti-Heros Split | TKO Records. |
| 1997 | Fire and Brimstone | Cyclone Records |
| 1997 | Tattoos & Scally Caps | GMM Records |
| 1998 | DKM/Oxymoron Split | Knockout Records |
| 1998 | Curse of Fallen Soul | TKO Records |
| 1998 | Early Years (UK) | rare |
| 2000 | DKM/H2O Split - This Is The Eastcoast (...Not L.A.) | Japan only |
CD compilations
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1996 | Runt of the Litter, Vol. 2 | Fan Attic Records |
| 2004 | Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 | Fat Wreck Chords |
DVDs
| Year | Title | Label |
| 2004 | On The Road With The Dropkick Murphys | Hellcat |
See also
- Street Dogs (features original lead singer Mike McColgan)
- Celtic metal
- The Pogues
- Flogging Molly
- The LeperKhanz
- List of musicians in the second wave of punk music
External links
fr:Dropkick Murphys nl:Dropkick Murphys sl:Dropkick Murphys sv:Dropkick Murphys