by JM Lane

Created on: July 02, 2007   Last Updated: July 03, 2007

The Dropkick Murphys are a band that combines the sound of Irish Folk music with punk rock. Listening to the music you can hear how the band has been influenced by the likes of the Pogues, Cock Sparrer and the Clash.
The end result is a unique style of punk that in itself has influenced other American-Irish Punk bands.
The bands lyrics are heavily influenced towards their Boston, American, Irish and working class roots.

In 2001 the Dropkick Murphy's (DKM) released Sing Loud, Sing Proud an album filled full of rowdy, drunken sing-alongs and a few sentimental pieces that reflect on friends and family.

The line-up of DKM is:
Al Barr (Lead Vocals)
Ken Casey (Vocals, Bass)
Matt Kelly (Drums, Vocals)
James Lynch (Guitar, Vocals)
Marc Orrell (Guitar, Piano, Vocals)
Tim Brennan (Accordion, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals)
Spicy Mc Haggis (Bagpipes)

The Album opens up with For Boston' a localistic sing along that gives the listener an idea of the sort of stuff your going to hear on the album, full of military style drumming and bag pipes, like a cross between Punk Rock and a Celtic Military band.

The Legend of Finn Maccumhail' the track keeps up the sing-along aspect of the band to help you get into the album, the instrumental features clapping along which helps the tune catch on.

Which Side are You On' is a cover of a pro-union song about staying on the right side of the union rather than being a scab worker. This band really knows how to do good covers of traditional songs, really good song.

The Rocky Road to Dublin' punk folk song with whistles of some sort all about some fellow who goes to Dublin looking for work. The folk style sing really get you into the song.

Heroes From Our Past' combines the Irish Folk sound with the fast paced lyrics and thrashing guitars of Hardcore Punk. Complete with instrumentals featuring tin whistles. The song is in tribute to those in the past who have stood up for their rights. I like the combination of the bagpipes and drums on this one.

Forever' is my favourite song on the album, the song is really moving, and it is about a love for someone special who you get the impression is no longer there. "There's a piece of you with me they can't tear apart, forever". Al and Ken share the vocal duties here and it makes the song much more powerful and the tin whistle that plays through the song just adds to the beauty expressed. I could listen to this song all day.

The Gauntlet' another great song follows with strong lyrics about standing up for yourself

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