If you like some good punk with a bagpiper, you'll like the Dropkick Murphys - a South Boston Irish punk band.

UK tour dates

I'm not associated with the band in any way, just a fan wanting to spread the love.

-Zeke

Have to agree. Haven't seen them live, but if the CD's are anything to go by, they kick arse.

I <stupidly> missed a St. Patricks day show in 2003 (don't ask). The DVD I have of a live performance looks pretty kicking: a lot like the Ramones shows I went to - hard core but inclusive & enthusiastic. They get a decent amount of airplay around Boston, but I don't think they've really broken out into mass-market conciousness (which is great for the fans). I like how they're progressing, unlike Flogging Molly, who's latest album I thought was just about unlistenable - too mellow/instumental/folky. Fine if you like that stuff, but they're certainly not Flogging much anymore, which is a shame.

I'd like to find more bands along the lines of DM's but I've not had much luck...suggestions anyone?

-Zeke

I have heard them on the local college radio station here in Minnesota. I originally found them on emusic. The Blackout record didn't excite me too much I liked the Sing loud sing proud one much more. (Gimme more bagpipes:) )

Yeah, Blackout was a bit less raw, I have to agree with you there. Check out their Live on St. Patrick's day disc if you get the chance, plenty o' pipe on that one. I especially like the Spicy McHaggis (the piper's stage name) Jig, great lyrics. Also, the cover of 'Charlie on the MTA' as 'Skinhead on the MBTA' is not to be missed.

I do think that one song off of Blackout stands above the rest: Fileds of Athenry brings the edge back. Nice and angry, along the lines of Boys on the Docks. Dirty Glass is pretty good as well, but Kiss Me I'm Sh*tfaced could have been left off. It's fun to begin with, but grates pretty quickly.

-Zeke

I have the st patrick's one that is a good one too. I agree the dirty glass and fields of athenry are good. I do like the version of the dirty glass on the face to face split better though. Maybe it's just because that was the first one I heard ?

Oooo, don't have Face to Face...PAH out of print. I'll have to see what can be done about that.

-Zeke

I do not have the album either I got it off emusic before they changed.

Vagrant is still selling it on their website.

Muchas gracias for the link. Ordered, along with Alkaline Trio 'From Here to Infirmary'...totally blind purchase...we'll see!

-Zeke

Amazing band live... I've seen them a few times. As for Alkaline Trio, I'd recommend For Your Lungs Only (EP), and Goddamnit. As per usual the early stuff is way better and more raw. Maybe I'll Catch Fire is also damn good. They are just getting over produced and at some point in the past year they adopted this "wear black suits and read ties and black circles around your eyes with white makeup" image BS... but whatchagonnado.

Thanks for putting me on to the face to face split, it arrive today and it is SUH-WEET! I agree completely about the Dirty Glass version, the one on face/face is simply fresher than the LP version.

-Zeke

oh yeah - Alkaline Trio doesn't suck either.

Cool I'm glad it's not just me that thinks that version is better