Boston Celtic punk titans Dropkick Murphys are in the midst of celebrating thirty years as a band, and what better way to throw a party for an Irish band out of Boston? Not only are they doing their usual onslaught of shows across Lansdowne Street For Saint Patrick’s Day weekend, in addition to their current touring partners Haywire and The Aggrolites, they have recruited numerous Boston punk bands that took off around the same time as they did such as The Unseen, The Ducky Boys, and the newly reformed Darkbuster to name a few. If it wasn’t already obvious, this stretch of shows further proves that Dropkick Murphys are a band that haven’t forgot where they came from.
Haywire
For the second night of their Saint Patrick’s Day celebration, New England hardcore band Haywire took the stage at 7:00 with a sing along of the Neil Diamond classic Sweet Caroline which surely was appreciated by all Massholes in attendance. From the start of their set, you know you would have to duck and cover, and be prepared for some good old hardcore. Between the strong following Haywire has built, and the strong stage presence of their frontman Austin Sparkman, you would have not thought that they have been a band for only two years. Sparkman mentioned Haywire will have a new record out in the fall, and will be touring extensively until 2028, so if you missed Haywire on their most recent For The People… In The Pit tour, you will have plenty of chances coming up.
Dropkick Murphys
It was 9 o’clock sharp when the lights dimmed, and “The Foggy Dew” played over the sold out MGM Fenway’s PA, Dropkick Murphys started their second show of their Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Dropick’s setlist featured something for every Dropkick fan in attendance from hits such as “The State of Massachusetts”, and “Rose Tattoo”, to deeper cuts such as “3rd man in”, and “Fightstarter Karaoke”. Between both guitarist Tim Brennan and multi instrumentalist Jeff DaRosa coming right up in front of the crowd, and frontman Ken Casey constantly moving around and singing along with the crowd, this band hasn’t aged a day for being around for thirty years.
At one point during the show Casey addressed someone in the audience that had a sign for her son that had just joined the Marines and asked if the band could sign his jacket, Casey without hesitation took the jacket and had the whole band on stage sign it stating they where honored to do it. It was such a heartfelt moment that everyone in attendance applauded.
Dropkick’s latest album is appropriately titled For the People, and I say appropriately because that’s who they are, they are a band for the people. If you are a fellow New Englander like myself that have been following this band since I heard them in 2001, or someone that traveled across the world to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in Boston, and see Dropkick in their home town, you have a story about this band. It’s hard to believe it’s been thirty years and this band still brings the energy and the passion that they do with their live shows and music.
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