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Dropkick Murphys / Gang Green

live in Columbus (2005)
Hellcat Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Ryan Newton
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on November 1st 2005

Driving to Columbus to see the Dropkick Murphys for the seventh time, I wondered if it would be worth all the gas and drive time. Soon after arriving at Newport Music Hall, I had a feeling there would be no doubt in my mind everything was going to be worth it to see the DKM boys headline this tour.

The opening band was a British ska outfit called the Deadpets (I think). I only caught the last two songs, but their sound was tight and the horns blended well with the heavy guitar work.

Next was Darkbuster. Not knowing anything about this band, I was quickly drawn in by their drunk singer's antics and stories (like their roadie diving into an empty pool the night before and thus hospitalized) and the band's tight, three-chord sound, with plenty of palm mutes and backup vocals. They also had a few ska songs with an organ that were just as good, such as the number "I Hate the Unseen." My personal favorite was a song called "Hometown Loser," which was about the sterotypical punk subjects of being a loser, punk, and a boozer. I would highly recommend checking this band out.

Next were the Lost City Angels, and about this time the sound man must have passed out or something like that, since the vocals were inaudible and the rhythm guitar was making the PA ring. I recognized a few songs such as "Liberation," "Pretty War," and "Broken World." The high energy of the band made up for the sound problem and got the crowd fired up

Then came the legendary Gang Green. The old-school speed punk prompted a circle pit from the first note that rang through the auditorium. They played about a dozen songs while talking in between about how they had been playing for 20 years and had lots of fun with drugs and alcohol. Selections included "Another Wasted Night," "Out on the Couch," "Have Fun," and of course, the closer was "Alcohol," with help from about 20 crew members and people in the other bands stage diving and spraying beer to celebrate the last night of the tour.

Dropkick entered as they usually do to "The Foggy Dew" and ripped into a string of Warrior's Code songs broken up only by "Boys on the Docks." The sound was still off, perodically leaving out the pipes, mandolin, and Ken's vocals. The set list was a nice mix of new and old; however, this was the first time I have seen them not play a single song from The Gang's All Here. Of course, everyone rushed the stage for the finale of "Spicy McHaggis Jig" for the ladies, followed by "Skinhead" for everyone else. This was a great package tour and I look foward to seeing DKM again soon! Set list below by album:

Do or Die

Barroom Hero
Third Man In
Finnegan's Wake
Boys on the Dock
Skinhead

Sing Loud, Sing Proud

Which Side Are You On?
Heroes from Our Past
The Gauntlet
Spicy McHaggis Jig

Blackout

Worker's Song
Buried Alive
Fields of Athenry (Farrar Version w/ piano, whistle, and vocals only)
As One
Time to Go

Warrior's Code

Spirit's Alive
The Warrior's Code
Captain Kelly's Kitchen
Walking Dead
Sunshine Highway
The Burden
Citizen C.I.A.
Auld Triangle
Last Letter Home

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doverstation (January 1, 2011)

x Gang Green and x Stompbox members unite for new release. Download the new single, "FIRST NICKEL" BY NUNS OF PUNK. https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/nunsofpunk . This ripping track features Erich Thaler of Stompbox with Glen and Chuck Stilphen from the Alcohol / Another Wasted Night-era of Gang Green.

Anonymous (November 3, 2005)

well, her primary job was selling merch, so to hire another singer for one song is pretty unnecessary.

Anonymous (November 2, 2005)

They could have found some other female to fill her spot.

Anonymous (November 2, 2005)

Stephanie no longer tours with the band, so you won't be hearing The Dirty Glass anytime soon.

Anonymous (November 2, 2005)

Score is for the show, all the bands were excellent, a great time was had by all.

-The Dead Pets were like watching the Young Ones as a band
- Darkbuster play really catchy punk with hilarious subject matter.
- Lost City Angels were nothing like I thought they were going to be. Extremely hooky songs and a great live show packed with energy.
- Gang Green were simply brutal, best ressurection out of Boston I've ever seen.
- Dropkick Muphys' put on a show, a serious rock show. Their energy and musicanship just shows why they've been going strong since 1996

Let's go Murphys!

MrStabone (November 2, 2005)

i meant new to me

i know they have been playign for a while, but i did not learn of them til last summer cause it seems they rarely played out of their home region from what i hear

Anonymous (November 2, 2005)

Darkbuster has been around forever.

housewrecker (November 2, 2005)

If this is THE one and only Darkbuster...they've been around for a LONG time...

MrStabone (November 2, 2005)

first of all, you are one lucky fucker for getting to see this tour

darkbuster is probably one of my favorite newer bands that i have heard about. i can thank my asian friend john kang for playing their CD when we were driving somewhere.

second of all, gang fucking green!

i love big d - but don't know the other bands on this new leg

i will be there in dc at like noon or whenever that show starts and i will check out these bands.

but not getting to see the gang and darkbuster open is still a major bummer.

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

They played pretty much the same set in Edmonton. Good show. Darkbuster really impressed.

TheOneTrueBill (November 1, 2005)

To the guy who wants The Dirty Glass... just watch their DVD and you'll hear it fifty million goddamn times.

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

The only stuff I like by Gang Green are the Preschool tapes and "Boston Not LA" songs... The rest just kinda seems like Boston Curse rock (as in, the curse that most of the great Boston bands- FU's, SSD, Gang Green, etc.- went on to play cock metal).

-Will

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

I missed out on this show because I had a test next day. Thankfully, it didn't seem like I missed too much because the only bands I'd go for are the Murphys and the Angels, and the Murphys didn't even play Good Rats, Pipebomb on Lansdowne, Walk Away or The Dirty Glass. WHAT IS THAT?

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

Gang Green rock hard and often.

Xine (November 1, 2005)

3. Has anyone heard the new Hellcat/G-Unit mixtape called Give 'Em Tha Booty?

This is officially the best thing ever said.

sXenester (November 1, 2005)

I'm surprised there's nothing off Gang's All Here.

Also, I tihnk last time I saw them they changed the SPICY! chant to SCRUFFY!

superdude (November 1, 2005)

This review was pretty good, but here's how I'd make it better:

1. Bands that use PAs are sellouts.

2. How come they didn't play more songs off Give 'Em the Boot.

3. Has anyone heard the new Hellcat/G-Unit mixtape called Give 'Em Tha Booty?

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

I wish they wouldn't play Spicy McHaggis... terrible.

psychoos231 (November 1, 2005)

They should stop playing "Spicy McHaggis Jig", it seems weird when the crowd chants SPICY! SPICY! ..eh

Lost City Angels also had the same sound problem when they played with the SUicide Machines acouple months back

localh (November 1, 2005)

not one fucking song off of the gang's all here?
Wow blackout sucked ass and I am sure the new cd sucks too...

cdogg (November 1, 2005)

Just as I feared: a very "Warrior's Code"- heavy set list. Oh well; they're still great. I'll be at the Philly Electric Factory show on 11/11.

BTW - I just saw Street Dogs for the first time at the Northstar in Philly last week. Don't miss them when they come around - McColgan is an excellent frontman.

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

Not one song from "Gangs all Here?"

Anonymous (November 1, 2005)

I wish the the guitarist would realize his voice sucks and leave the singing to AL.

stevejonestherealbones (November 1, 2005)

how long is this band gonna rip off the tossers. totally fucking gay. why cant people see through this tossers/flogging molly ripoff bandwagon jumping group

- jones the bones

- stevejones8770@yahoo.com

TheOneTrueBill (November 1, 2005)

That sucks, The Gang's All Here is my favorite album of theirs.

I'd like to see Gang Green, but the second leg of this tour is much better. DKM, Big D, and Righteous Jams!