Dropkick Murphys

Live on St. Patrick’s Day (Hellcat)
by Scott Hefflon

Pretty much a no-brainer here, it’s a live Dropkick Murphys record, recorded in the band’s hometown of Boston over St. Patrick’s day weekend. 26 songs totalling over 74 minutes, including all the hits and faves, as well as covers of the Bruins theme, Gang Green’s “Alcohol,” and a surprisingly cool version of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” While not especially delicate, it’s treated respectfully in DKM’s calloused hands. And, as you might guess, there’re bagpipe classics like “Amazing Grace” and a few other “I can’t quite place it” bits’n’pieces, but mostly it’s wall-to-wall Dropkick Murphys punk. Bringing tin whistles and bagpipes to the ever-deepening roar of their Irish Oi! streetpunk snarl was the smartest thing the band ever did, as they almost toppled into metal territory, ya know? DKM is a fun time, and you’d have to be a real dick to hear this and not like it.
(2798 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026)