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March 17, 2011 at 11:00 AM
St. Paddy’s Day With The Dropkick Murphys

We’ll celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys. They’re in the house.

The Dropkick Murphys (Kerry Brett/Courtesy)

The Dropkick Murphys (Kerry Brett/Courtesy)

For Celtic punk rock workingman’s Irish pride, it doesn’t get better than the Dropkick Murphys.

The joyful, hard-hitting band out of Boston took the punk drive of the Pogues and turned it into rollicking Irish-American soul. Now, they’re touring the world, Celtic punk all the way.

Bruce Springsteen’s on their new album, plus a whole lot of Irish love. And on this St. Patrick’s Day, they’re live in the studio with us.

This hour On Point: the Dropkick Murphys.

- Tom Ashbrook

Guests:

Al Barr, lead vocalist

Ken Casey, lead vocalist

Jeff DaRosa, band member

Tim Brennan, band member

Scruffy Wallace, band member

Spider Stacy,  founding member of the London Irish band “The Pogues”

More:

 
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Kennedy/1813701 Dan Kennedy

    It’s St. Paddy’s Day. Not St. Patty’s. Argh.

    • http://onpoint.wbur.org/about-on-point/sam-gale-rosen Sam Gale Rosen

      Our bad.

      • Anonymous

        Isn’t “paddy” an ethnic slur? Shouldn’t the over-vigilant On Point censors be on top of that? Is “Patrick” not fake hip enough?

        • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X3Z6OE5BMIXVJTBKLRJL2JOUMU HiltonE

          That was my first thought. I believe the appropriate slang is
          St. Patty’s day.

          • http://www.facebook.com/people/Dan-Kennedy/1813701 Dan Kennedy

            Thank you for making the correction! For those who consider it an ethnic slur: doesn’t matter. As the noted Irishman Bill Belichick would say, it is what it is. But I am reliably told the derivation of Paddy is Padraig, so no ethnic slur involved. Even if “paddy wagon” is the best way to remember the correct word.

        • Brett

          Tell that to “Paddy” Maloney (of the Chieftains)!!! …It’s just a nickname, laddie, more common than “Patty” for Patricia!

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VDH4GYJMIUFU373W3XUQVD2V4E Patrick

        Sam, don’t be sorry, Dan is talking nonsense.

  • Grady Lee Howard

    Pipe, pipe, pipe out your blazes.
    It’s Radiation Day. All our eyes are glowing.
    Pipe the serpents out of Ireland
    and the isotopes out of Japan.
    Pipe, pipe, pipe all you will.
    You can’t fight fire with a squirt gun.
    Caution, green beer makes your cities reek of urine.
    Pipe, pipe, pipe out all your effluent,
    for tomorrow is a worser day.

  • Pingback: Thursday Morning: Small Problem With Big Dig | Hubbub

  • Blankmaxine

    I’d like to hear about the roots of the band’s support of the working class and unions.

  • BHA in Vermont

    Sorry Tom, you just lost me for the rest of the hour. Punk is NOT anything I want to listen to.

  • GTB from Vermont

    Love the Dropkick Murphys! Happy St. Patty’s Day!! :)

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VDH4GYJMIUFU373W3XUQVD2V4E Patrick

    The Pogues FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PGPTBZSLWVTRAZG2UHRCDOFY3Q Jonathan

    Hate punk rock…LOVE THE DROP KICK MURPHYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Mike from Rutland, MA

    Dropkick Murphys = Screaming + shouting. People like them because of the wave of (unwarranted) positive reviews. Don’t just say you like them because it’s fashionable. Their music is only good for drinking and fighting to. It’s like seeing the “The Blair Witch Project.” You were told by many it was scary and worth seeing. After coming out of the theater you’re forcibly trying to come up with positive things to say cuz everyone else is. Weeks later you look back at it and realize how crappy it was.

    • LongtimeDKMfan

      So don’t listen. The new season of American Idol is on, go there. I’ve been a Dropkick Murphys since 1998 and have been into punk since I was 15 (I’m 38 now) so it’s not because it’s fashionable. If you don’t like it don’t let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.

    • Howard

      What’s wrong with drinking and fighting? And I have yet to see a review (positive or otherwise) of a DKM record. The Murpys are not for everybody, esp. meely mouth liberals who religiously listen to NPR. They are a party band for people who are not so uptight they can’t even tap thier feet. Micheal Buble has a lot of good reviews but I think he is horrible. It’s just not for me. I don’t see anybody drinking and fighting to “Still Haven’t met you yet”!

    • Bazz

      You need to listen to a few of their albums – they’re not all screaming and shouting. Many of their songs are quietly moving.

  • David

    The first time I saw the Dropkicks was shortly before ‘Do or Die’ came out, and saw them play in basement in South Bend, IN. The second time was when Al Barr did his first live performance with the DM in Indy. I now live in Portland, and I still cannot believe that it has been fifteen years. From the basement shows to the stadiums you guys have never forgotten your roots. Thank You.

    • drk

      Garth’s basement?

  • CircledanJodyse

    Thank you for this show! We are huge fans at my house. My 4 year old twins and my 2 year old love dancing to ANYTHING by the Drop Kick Murphys. They are the perfect choice for those long snowy winter days when the kids need to get some eneegy out!

  • Matt the Insurance Guy

    They are also the most generous band to their fans and the community as a whole. Their non-profit gives thousands of dollars to people in need.

  • Philip Barry

    It is great to hear some Murphys. I’m a Massachusetts native who had the pleasure of seeing Dropkick at the Avalon Ballroom St. Paddy’s day year after year – currently living in Bordeaux, France. I’ve been put in charge of the St. Patrick’s Day playlist for tonight at the English Pub I work in and no doubt Shipping Up to Boston will be the opener and closer for the festivities. Their music is heard far and wide – keep rocking guys and happy St. Patrick’s Day.

  • Woody

    Wonderful to hear the Dropkicks! Would love to hear them do a show w/ Great Big Sea. The chemistry of both bands with their crowds is identical. The Canadian’s bring their provincial flags, the Granny’s and babies are there, and whatever arena become a entire Mosh Pit.

    • Woody

      oh and the defining common event is the Irish Tricolour! Usually a young woman runs around the perimeter of the arena with it. They’re Everywhere!

  • Sesametofu

    second that: The Pogues FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Mike Maginn

    Please ask what the origin of the name DKM is?

    • Woody

      Dropkick Murphy ran an informal detox in Boston in the old days. But whatever link from band to the original is beyond me.

  • Greg Camp

    Play the whole song, “The Irish Rover.” That’s one of my favorites, and I’ll be getting to know the Murphys thanks to it.

  • Cailean Deas

    loyal longtime fan who started playing your records in the 90′s on WHRB as a DJ on the Record Hospital. Saw your shows throughout the years and your songs saw me through some hard times. brought your working class anthems (along with those of the Street Dogs) to play at the Labor Rallies in support of workers in Wisconsin and around the world. ‘Eiriann go Bragh’ – Erin

  • Ben

    Did you know it’s possible to belly dance to “Shipping Up To Boston”?

    http://vimeo.com/19314749
    (skip ahead to 8:00 for the start of the intro)

  • Colmroge

    From Irish man now living in Boston …. enjoy today .. but don’t drink green beer!!!!! Please!! No Green Beer!!!! Have a fun day.

  • Kate

    Great show, great music. Wow and thanks. I grew up in the South End of Boston, and Al Barr’s Dad was my elementary school teacher. He was a hippy in all the best senses of the word – full of love and optimism and firm belief that we all had the responsibility and the power to make the world a better place. His belief is loud and clear in this music. Thanks to both Mr. Barr’s.

  • Oi

    al barrs “the bruisers” and murphys are bostons finest! but dont forget slapshot and the bostones!

    oi! from good old germany!
    happy paddy day!

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  • Jen

    This was a great show. Thanks for such a fun hour!

    I’m also using this comment to take your advice of putting content suggestions within your show comments. November is National Adoption Awareness month, and I think it would be FANTASTIC to hear a show this coming November about successful open adoption from the points of view of adoptive parents, birth parents/grandparents/families, and families. As an adoptive parent and advocate for open adoption, I’d love to hear the media cover the the good things that come from adoption. (What usually makes the news are the unfortunate–and rare–negative instances).

  • John Hamilton

    I would like to know what the Murphys consider their best labor and work songs. Also, since they mentioned the governor of Wisconsin, maybe they could come to Madison and do some songs for the rally. Saturdays are best, with larger crowds each week. Last Saturday estimates were from 85,000 to 130,000. I know they played the High Noon Saloon, so maybe they could get in touch with Kathy and she could coordinate here.

    Just hearing “Take the bastards down.” That would go over great here. Google my name and the pictures should get you roused up to come here. The energy here is really something right now. Scott Skiles, the copilot of the “Miracle on the Hudson” withdrew “hundreds of thousands of dollars the other day from M&I Bank, which was one of Walkers major donors. Each day brings a new outrage and a new response.

  • John Hamilton

    I had the name wrong. It was Jeff Skiles. He lives just outside of Madison, gave a speech at the rally, and had his picture taken outside of the bank before taking his money out. Now everybody is taking their money out.

  • Kathleen Kellybanzhaf

    This band has opened my mind to punk rock…very original take on some Irish story telling…proud of my Irish roots and happy to hear about this very original band. I’m sharing the love with my friends and family.

  • Pingback: Vídeo: Dropkick Murphys – ‘Take ‘Em Down’ (acústico) | Ctrl Rock mag | Ctrl Rock mag

  • RockTheStage

    Such a good band, they sound amazing plugged or unplugged. Nice job by NPR picking them up and giving them props.

  • gr8ful77

    DKM…..What amazing artist’s!!! Have been a fan for years, Great interview!!!

  • Shanimal I Have Become

    Awesome! Its so cool to see DKM working their magic live

  • Renedestroyer

    Great band. They sound awesome acoustic. I can not wait to see them in San Antonio on July 5.

  • Ivygreenguns

    I love this band, Great To Have a New album from them. So excited, Want to see them live like crazy.

  • http://twitter.com/theunhappygirll Letizia

    Thats was AWESOME they song great live

  • Mikeyadams1

    Great as always!!!

  • MUZAKIZMYLYFE

    Great feature about THE DROPKICK MURPHYS!!!

  • Sasorasan

    I enjoyed every second of this song. And I think I’m going to listen to it again and agian for a while.

  • http://twitter.com/samuel_stevens Samuel Stevens

    Always love when bands do unplugged versions of their songs!

  • Anonymous

    We were lucky enough to chat with James Lynch when they passed through Las Vegas recently, check it out here: http://vegasallnight.com/dropkick-murphys/
     

  • Pingback: St Paddys Day with Dropkick Murphys – NPR’s On Point « Dropkick Murphys

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