Punknews.orgPunknews.org Logo
Review Navigator

BackForward

Features

 

Contests

 


Reviews



Thanks to the gracious folks with Dropkick Murphys, I was able to secure a pass to see said band. The last time I saw them was in 2007, right before their last album was released. It's safe to say that I prefer Rams Head to Congress any day, but their performance last night was absolutely amazing.

The first band up that night was Civet, an all-female band who likes to be angry and yelly. I could take them or leave them and I decided to leave them. I ended up talking with the people at the Goethe charity table for the duration of their set.

After their brief set, I met up with Jess and her sister and we went to the floor to watch H2O. As much as I wish I could like this band more, they have always and continue to come off as a second-rate Bouncing Souls. Their set that night had a lot of energy and the band was all over the stage. I was actually able to really like some of their new songs, but there was just something missing. Maybe it was because I didn't really come for them or because I was pretty disappointed with them when I saw them with Rancid back in '06, but their set just didn't really do it for me. It's never really fun to watch an opening band you really have no desire to see, especially when the headliners are one of your favorite live acts.

Dropkick began their set the same way they did the last time I saw them -- the house lights went down and a traditional Celtic piece played over the PA. As it came to a close, the curtains came down revealing this beautiful backdrop and candles glowing dimly across the drum kit. I was a little worried only that I was hoping beyond hope they weren't just going to repeat their set list from last time. Much to my surprise, they opened with "Your Spirit's Alive." It was pretty difficult to keep up with the band as they were all over the place. It doesn't help that my camera is a piece of shit as it is, but it was only that much more difficult to get good shots of these guys. I ended up getting over 100 shots before security pushed us out, but it didn't feel like enough time.

After my dismissal, I retreated back by the sound station. It's my opinion that is the best area to be as far as being able to actually hear and see well. I got back in time to see their little group of dancers come out for "Captain Kelley's Kitchen." They aren't necessarily the most talented bunch, but they do add an element of fun to the song (not that it really needs it). The night continued on with surprise song after surprise song. The singer from Civet actually proved herself useful on the tour as she came out and performed "The Dirty Glass," and quite well if I might add. "The Spicy McHaggis Jig," "The Worker's Song," "Fields of Athenry," "Bastards on Parade" and "The Gauntlet" were some of the more pleasant surprises. They actually had a pretty diverse choosing from their library, but a good focus was from Sing Loud and on. The obligatory songs from Do or Die were played: "Boys on the Docks," "Barroom Hero" and "Skinhead on the MBTA."

Since their last album was released two years ago, I was hoping to hear more new material, but all we got was a song they wrote but never officially released: "The Chosen Few." This was an upbeat little acoustic number with a nice dance-ability to it. During their encore, what I thought was a new song actually ended up being a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Badlands." It was funny when they started playing this because the crowd simply stopped. No one had any idea what they were listening to. However, many kept dancing because they did an awesome rendition. This seems to be a bit of a current trend, covering the Boss.

They wrapped up their set with their usual closing songs. As usual, all the ladies rushed the stage for "Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced." When "Skinhead" was played, all the skinheads and the lot took to the stage. It was funny to see Al Barr pushing away some kid who tried to take his mic and sing with him. I was surprised that with all the kids on the stage, the proceeded to close their encore with "Alcohol." That seems to be a staple to their set, but for some reason that night it seemed a little forced. Maybe it was just me, but it would have been better to just stop after "Skinhead."

There were a few songs I was a bit miffed I didn't get to hear. "Flannigan's Ball" is one of the best new songs of theirs and is all kinds of fun to see live, but alas, not that night. I would absolutely love to hear either "The Torch," "A Few Good Men" or "The Good Rats," but I won't be holding my breath. Not surprisingly, when "Shipping Up to Boston" began, the crowd gave the loudest response. I can't hate on a band's success, but I really wish they weren't involved with that despicable piece of "cinema," "The Departed." I imagine 75% or more of the people who got into the Dropkick Murphys after that movie came out have no idea that Woodie Guthrie wrote that song. Ah well, I'm not going to let a bunch of douche bag fans ruin what still remains one of my all-time favorite bands and one of the greatest live shows still out there.

Pictures

Set list:

  1. Your Spirit's Alive
  2. Captain Kelley's Kitchen
  3. Warrior's Code
  4. Citizen CIA
  5. The State of Massachusetts
  6. Time to Go
  7. Sunshine Highway
  8. The Gauntlet
  9. Bastards on Parade
  10. 10 Years of Service
  11. Johnny We Hardly Knew Ye
  12. The Chosen Few
  13. Famous for Nothing
  14. Caps and Bottles
  15. Wicked Sensitive Crew
  16. Fields of Athenry
  17. Pipebomb on Landsown
  18. Spicy McHaggis Jig
  19. The Dirty Glass
  20. Forever
  21. The Worker's Song
  22. Never Forget
  23. Barroom Hero
  24. Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced
    25. Encore:
  25. Boys on the Docks
  26. Shipping Up to Boston
  27. Badlands
  28. Skinhead on the MBTA
  29. Alcohol




People who liked this also liked:
Operation Ivy - Operation IvyRiverboat Gamblers - Underneath the OwlThe Decemberists - PicaresqueNone More Black - File Under BlackThe Briggs - Back to Higher GroundAgainst Me! - As The Eternal CowboyThe Loved Ones - Keep Your HeartRefused - The Shape of Punk to ComeThe Clash - London CallingStreet Dogs - Fading American Dream



Please login or register to post comments.
What are the benefits of having a Punknews.org account?
  • Share your opinion by posting comments on the stories that interest you
  • Rate music and bands and help shape the weekly top ten
  • Let Punknews.org use your ratings to help you find bands and albums you might like
  • Customize features on the site to get the news the way you want.

    Posted by fourtyfour on 2009-03-16 20:22:02

    Someone's a little bias towards DKM.

    H2O was seriously the only reason I went both nights in New York. haha.

    Posted by deadxlast on 2009-03-09 12:29:57

    Saw them in Indianapolis last week. H2O fucking killed it, but I couldn't even watch DKM, There were so many drunk assholes getting into fights and just being obnoxious fucks. I can't count how many people got kicked out, and I saw at least one guy getting arrested afterwards. If H2O were headlining, you wouldn't see kids throwing beer everywhere and treating the security guards like shit and starting fights. I hate to judge a band by it's fans, but seriously, fuck DKM fans. I just can't can't get with a band who are into Catholicism, beer and sports so much. That's what I got into punk rock to get *away* from.

    Posted by damnitsderek on 2009-03-07 19:29:14

    2 1/2 stars for only a Freudian Slip?

    I'LL TAKE IT!

    Also, I liked the Departed. Just because it wasn't one of Scorsese's best doesn't take away from the fact that it was still a pretty good movie.

    Posted by joeg on 2009-03-06 19:39:33

    saw h2o last night who were great. nope, still don't sound anything like the bouncing souls.

    Posted by SlackMFr on 2009-03-06 07:18:45

    This might be the worst concert review I've ever read on here. Who cares if you "met up with Jess & her sister", it's irrelevant!!

    P.S. How do you not like "The Departed"?

    I'd like to implant a brick down this reviewer's throat.

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-06 00:04:43

    I couldn't stand Nicholson hamming it up for the camera (usually I can) and I thought it held little emotional weight, but I did like Marky Mark and the ending, besides the rat (LOL GEDDIT????????)

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-05 23:51:48

    I really liked The Departed.

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-05 23:44:19

    "it's not even one of Scorsese's best movies"

    What a fucking laugh, that you think that highly overrated, mediocre, and overacted The Departed was so fucking fantastic but NOT EVEN as great as cinematic classics like Taxi Driver and Raging Bull, like they're almost on the same level of existence.

    Posted by SlowStupidHungry on 2009-03-05 16:34:51

    "but I really wish they weren't involved with that despicable piece of "cinema," "The Departed.""

    Funny, because that movie is a million light years ahead of anything DKM have ever done, and it's not even one of Scorsese's best movies.

    Posted by maxethunders on 2009-03-05 15:08:37
    My Score:

    Dropkick Murphys are one of the best live bands and they have a very dedicated following. You will probably never see people starting a pit during the intro other than a Murphys show and they still let people on stage. The last time I saw them play Good Rats was 5 years ago so good luck with that.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-05 13:11:31

    This is PUNKnews, I thought it was assumed -- from the bands covered and reviewed -- this was an "un-punk" site?

    Anyways, joking aside. Joking was all I was doing.

    Posted by Ghoti34 on 2009-03-05 12:47:32

    And for the record, disrespecting Christianity and any other religion is fine by me, I'm just a little irked at the aggressive anti-religious stance that some people take. We all hate on religion's for a variety of reasons including the aggressive stance that certain religious followers take towards non-believers. To simply hate in return, anyone who so much as quasi-associates themselves with a particular religion is just, well, a little un-punk if you ask me. That's all. Some people find peace and comfort in punk rock while others find it in religion. If you believe that weed should be legalized to the extent that one can do it in one's own residence without disturbing anyone else, can't the same be said about someone privately following a religion or at least doing so in non-public venues were it is commonly accepted?

    Posted by Ghoti34 on 2009-03-05 12:34:41
    My Score:

    Score is for Derek's Freudian slip indicating that Mike jacks off while listening to bad music. I only implied that he creamed his pants. But thanks for the additional details.

    And my jets are pretty cool. Just killing some time while I sit in my cube all day.

    Posted by danpib08 on 2009-03-05 11:55:22
    My Score:

    H20 are a rip off of the Bouncing Souls, you are a moron. It would make sense that the Dropkick Murphy's are one of your favorite bands, not like they are a rip off of the Mighty, Mighty Bosstones. I am guess you are around 18 or 19 years old.

    Posted by damnitsderek on 2009-03-04 23:28:30
    My Score:

    These comments are fun.

    Score is for the guy arguing about Christianity and destroying any validity in his argument when he tried to imply mikexdude jacks off to Punk goes Pop as an insult.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-04 20:51:10

    Mattramone > me > UPS. Don't front

    Posted by chrisafi on 2009-03-04 20:34:38

    Its because you post more than UPS

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-04 20:28:57
    My Score:

    Don't kid yourself, chrisafi, I've always been a douche. People just notice me now for some reason.

    Anyways, no disrespect to religious people, I'm just being annoying. Cool your jets.

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-03-04 19:42:48
    My Score:

    "People who are lame and don't believe in god > people who are cool who believe in god"

    Score's for that comment.
    Word!

    Posted by twstdbydsn on 2009-03-04 16:18:20

    I'd argue that statement any day of the week. H2O hasn't really had a good album in years, and the Souls are still rocking it 20 years strong.
    Now Don't get me wrong, H2O put on one hell of a show the other night and would win in a fight, but I'll still take the Souls hands down.

    RE: H20 is twice the band that the Souls are...and this is no knock on the Souls. But, how can you compare a band that sing about social issues and positive thinking to a band that sings about F'ing your mom and leaning on a character from a Ramones' song?

    Posted by Ghoti34 on 2009-03-04 14:52:09

    It's really unfortunate that some people associate people who are religious with the stereotypes that have been construed by said individuals own conventional wisdom.

    I'm reminded of the South Park episode when they make fun of the Mormons. That shit was funny though...dumb,dumb,dumb, dumb.

    I bet mikexdude creamed his pants when he saw that Punk Goes Pop v2 is streaming.

    I've never heard the word roofie used as a verb. Could you elaborate?

    Did anyone see the Jesus impression that the Off With their Head's guy did at the Fest? That was pretty good to.

    Posted by dordon on 2009-03-04 14:13:27

    i dont care who you are, a dkm show is one helluva good time.

    their energy is topnotch and all their songs can basically be mass singalongs.

    when i saw them in 07, they covered bab o'riley and it was boss.

    Posted by jamespastepunk on 2009-03-04 14:08:20

    Who would go to a DKM show and not expect drunk, violent fuckers, regardless of whatever other band was there?

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-04 12:50:40

    < I>"What did Jesus ever do to anyone that was so bad?"

    Not considering spawning multiple religions that would later go on to wage massive wars with millions upon millions dead. Also not taking in the fact that 6 million jewish people were killed during world war 2 and the millions more that were in concentration camps. I guess you're right he really didn't do anything bad to anyone, personally that is.


    In J-dogs defense, that wasn't his fault directly. He was just a manipulative psychopath.

    .....MattRamone is a cunt bucket.

    Posted by chrisafi on 2009-03-04 12:50:28

    I'm agree

    About 6 months ago mikexdude rocked up round here and was the sweet lil teen who had just had his punk epiphany and did some reviews and made some org friends and was a pleasure to have join the community.

    Then he got hated on for being like 7 years old and now he's angry, buring up resentment and generally a douche.

    Punknews ruins lifes.

    Posted by MattRamonesucks on 2009-03-04 12:32:32

    ............and mikexdude continues to be the org's know-it-all, shit-talking, teenage toughguy.

    Posted by erff on 2009-03-04 11:50:41

    "What did Jesus ever do to anyone that was so bad?"

    Not considering spawning multiple religions that would later go on to wage massive wars with millions upon millions dead. Also not taking in the fact that 6 million jewish people were killed during world war 2 and the millions more that were in concentration camps. I guess you're right he really didn't do anything bad to anyone, personally that is.

    Dkm missed out on alot of songs this time around. I understand they're popular now and everything but what happened to "The rocky road to dublin?". Instead I just had to stand around 15 drunk fucks who freaked out when they played shipping off to boston.

    Posted by skaterdater99 on 2009-03-04 11:41:25

    Did you happen to get dropped on your head as a child or in the pit too many times? Civet is a very talented incredible chick punk band. Those broads are on a very short list of female singers/bands that I like and honestly that alot of people like.

    Now to say that H20 is second rate to Bouncing Souls? Now don't get me wrong I love the Souls but are you serious???? H2O would kick your ass and theirs anyday and yours seems to be one that should get kicked.

    Posted by mikexdude on 2009-03-04 11:35:01

    Looks like I found a christian (I'm looking at you, Ghoti34). Fuck, I like H20, but their "political" or "positive" lyrics are banal and contrived, sorry. I'd take "fucking your mom," anyday.

    I mean seriously, your mom was INCREDIBLE. Anyways, next time she takes you to church, you should roofie the "blood" of "christ."

    People who are lame and don't believe in god > people who are cool who believe in god

    Posted by hooverstreet on 2009-03-04 09:44:22

    I love it when people try to take someone to school but have all their facts wrong.

    Posted by Ghoti34 on 2009-03-04 09:19:16

    H20 is twice the band that the Souls are...and this is no knock on the Souls. But, how can you compare a band that sing about social issues and positive thinking to a band that sings about F'ing your mom and leaning on a character from a Ramones' song?

    And (I'm pointing at you American_666_Jesus) when is the punk community going to stop hating on Christianity. What did Jesus ever do to anyone that was so bad? Call out Jerry Falwell, Bill O'Rielly, or that guy in Texas who preaches the prosperity doctrine...but to hate on a religion just because its cool or because your parents made you go to church or something is ignorant at best. For every talking head that claims to be holier than thou there are hundreds of religious followers from all walks of life that treat everyone with the upmost respect and want nothing more than to see that everyone, of all religions, gets a fair shot at life.

    Posted by eazyd2 on 2009-03-04 09:08:52
    My Score:

    1. h20 smoke bouncing souls anyday of the week.
    2. i dont know who woodie guthrie is and i dont give a fuck.
    3. unless its born in the usa who would know any bruce springsteen that cunt is whack
    4. not everyone is a mad cunt like you with 666 in their name
    5. grow a dick cocksucker
    6. needs more cowbell
    7. you'll never walk alone

    Posted by tmlca818 on 2009-03-04 01:17:19

    The writing of this review was so bad that I felt compelled to track down my password just to comment on it. I don't think my problem is as much with the prose as it is with the tone. Saying things like "I imagine 75% or more of the people who got into the Dropkick Murphys after that movie came out have no idea that Woodie Guthrie wrote that song" and "they have always and continue to come off as a second-rate Bouncing Souls" may make you feel like you're some insider to the scene, but you really just come off as an arrogant prick.

    FYI, using your basis for judging H2O as being when you saw them back "with Rancid in '06" is sad. Maybe you should have seen with the Bosstones in '97 or with the Souls in '98, or just keep your thoughts to yourself.

    Posted by BarleyPat on 2009-03-04 00:01:18

    10 years of service = best song off their most underrated album. Not their best, just their most forgotten album.

    Anyway, 10 years of service is fucking awesome.

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-03 23:07:04

    Grammar pwn

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-03-03 22:59:53

    "red eye your fucking stupid."

    Who's stupid? That's right, buddy... you're stupid.

    Posted by TarpisWoods on 2009-03-03 21:31:23

    red eye your fucking stupid. Tickets were 29 dollars. and H20 was great. Dropkick however was much better. The chick singing the Dirty glass was bad ass.

    Posted by hooverstreet on 2009-03-03 19:43:36

    I agree on the comment about H2O being like a watered down Bouncing Souls. I like H2O but they are definitely going for something that is just out of their reach.

    It's about time Dropkick Murphys are focusing on the stuff they've done in the past 10 years. I could go without ever hearing them do a song off "Do or Die" again. This set list looks very appealing to me. They could cut the Springsteen cover and the Gang Green cover too in favor of other originals.

    Posted by PtvnSux94 on 2009-03-03 19:41:29

    I see they cover Springsteen too.

    Posted by twstdbydsn on 2009-03-03 19:32:55

    RE: besides both being on epitaph for a period in the 90s, i don't see the h2o/bouncing souls comparison at all.

    AGREED. I don't get the comparison one bit either.
    and I was at this show too and I have to say H20 impressed the hell out of me and I haven't given a shit about them in at least 10 years now.

    Posted by telegraphrocks on 2009-03-03 19:32:00
    My Score:

    The Departed was pretty good. I'm not gonna say it's one of the best movies ever, fuck no, but it was a pretty solid piece of "cinema".

    Score's for DKM being one of your favorite bands.

    Posted by marthaplimpton on 2009-03-03 18:53:29
    My Score:

    score is for the departed soundtrack

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-03 18:37:09

    Oh yeah, shows how far DKM fans have come when they don't recognize one of the biggest hits of Bruce Springsteen. As bad as Against Me! fans not giving a shit about Ted Leo.

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-03 18:35:48

    I agree with CCSummers

    Posted by CCSummers on 2009-03-03 18:33:49

    Departed was so over rated. Such was a mediocre film.

    Posted by Babrook on 2009-03-03 18:22:31

    Ripping on The Departed?

    Really?

    Posted by shrapnel on 2009-03-03 18:07:17
    My Score:

    good review, I saw the dropkicks on sunday in maplewood, MN, the setlist was almost identical to the one you posted, it was a great show

    Posted by pud93 on 2009-03-03 17:48:33

    they haven't played time to go in like 5 years, which if i'm not mistaken is the last time the ruins made the playoffs

    Posted by holy_hack_ben on 2009-03-03 17:42:43

    I get sad when I read about DKM now because they suck so much and they used to be so great. I guess that is what happens when the two best members leave the band, i.e. Mike McColgan and Rick Barton. Both Street Dogs and Everybody Out! are pretty rad and DKM has neved been the same since.

    Posted by joeg on 2009-03-03 17:33:50

    besides both being on epitaph for a period in the 90s, i don't see the h2o/bouncing souls comparison at all.

    Posted by consider_the_ravens on 2009-03-03 17:23:35

    as someone from Boston i have to say i cant stand this band

    Posted by red_eye_inc on 2009-03-03 17:10:30

    H20 was the only reason to go to this, and there's no way I'm paying $50 to see them in a 3,000-person room with a bunch of dropkick murphy's fans

    Posted by Torgo on 2009-03-03 16:48:59

    Nice to know if I went to see DKM I wouldn't have had to go until the middle of the set. Lots of songs which is sweet, but I would love "Get Up." Doesn't matter, I love the Street Dogs more and my favorite DKM stuff was with Mike anyway yadda yadda meme

    © 1999-2009 Punknews.org • Terms of Use • Privacy • About • ISSN 1710-5366 • RSS RSS Icon