Dropkick Murphys
Feb 21, 2011
Dropkick Murphys will release their seventh full-length studio album, Going Out In Style, March 1st on their own Born & Bred Records through ILG. Produced by Ted Hutt, Going Out In Style features the group's signature blend of punk rock energy, folk soul, Irish spirit and American rock 'n roll on tracks like "Memorial Day", which impacts Alternative on February 22nd.
On Going Out In Style, Dropkick Murphys throw a 45 minute, 49 second party to end all parties, all the while reveling in the Irish tradition of telling tales of triumph, tragedy and celebration through music. The band revives the art of the album as a cohesive whole on this raucous and rollicking romp overflowing with punk rock energy, folk soul, and rebellious spirit. Dropkick Murphys deliver one anthem after another. "Hang 'Em High" ignites the album with a gang chant into a unforgettable bagpipe laden riff, driving guitars and big drums. Nodding to AC/DC while infusing flourishes of Celtic soul, "Hang 'Em High" is the ultimate battle cry. Then there's "Take 'Em Down," which continues to display the band's social consciousness and their unwavering support for organized labor. On songs such as "Broken Hymns" and "Cruel" the band explores new territory, incorporating a myriad of sounds and textures with arena-ready drum beats, diverse instrumentation and epic refrains.
Fans will get a taste of the new music before it's released when Dropkick Murphys -- Ken Casey (lead vocals, bass guitar), Al Barr (lead vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, vocals), James Lynch (guitar, vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, accordion, whistle, vocals), Jeff DaRosa (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, vocals) and Scruffy Wallace (bagpipes) -- hit the road February 23rd for their annual St. Patrick's Day U.S. tour. The trek, featuring Against Me! as support on most dates, will wind up in Boston for the band's run of St. Patty's Day week hometown gigs. Also look for the Murphys to tour Europe in April and August, with additional U.S. dates planned for May and June.
Going Out In Style continues in the great storytelling tradition. Through song, story or play, the music often inspires the author--as in James Joyce's final work Finnegan's Wake, based on an 1850s music hall ballad of the same name--and sometimes the story inspires the song. These songs take the band's own personal experiences and family folklore and roll them into the story of one fictional character, Cornelius Larkin. Fueled by fiery riffs and unforgettable choruses, Going Out In Style traces the journey of Larkin, whether it's the Irish immigrant's first person account of his own wake or the band's in depth interpretation of his life and lineage throughout the album's lyrics. Casey reveals, "Cornelius has passed on to the other side, and the album becomes a retrospective of his life. He's one of those guys who immigrated to America at 16, got drafted into the Korean War, married young, had lots of kids, worked hard, and lived a full life rife with different characters, ups and downs, and trials and tribulations. Some of the stories are fictional, but most are odes to our grandparents, friends, and loved ones."
The album's title track gave birth to Cornelius. It's a rousing celebratory anthem complete with guest vocals by NOFX's Fat Mike, The Living End's Chris Cheney and Rescue Me mainstay, actor/comedian Lenny Clarke. "Going Out In Style" roars with a gang-style refrain and simultaneously heartfelt and hilarious lyrics. "We all have this romantic idea that our death will be like an international day of mourning, but that's not going to happen," chuckles Barr. "The song has two sides. There's a serious side recounting this Larkin's life, and then there are all of these fun parts about various women and characters."
For Going Out In Style, Dropkick Murphys even enlisted the vocal talents of the legendary Bruce Springsteen--whom they first met at a DKM gig in New York and later collaborated with onstage at one of Springsteen's Boston shows. Springsteen swaps verses with Casey for a spirited take on the old standard "Peg O' My Heart." "It has a classic old fifties rock and roll feel," says Casey. "Both of my grandmothers are named Peg. One grandmother, Peg Casey, is always saying, 'When are you going to do that song? Your grandfather always sang it to me!' The time signature changed, so hopefully they still appreciate it when they hear it."
The collaboration is a perfect intergenerational bridge for fans and band alike. Dropkick Murphys have always strongly resonated with audiences young and old due to their working class ethos and cathartic sonic revelry. "It links two generations," says Casey. "We're spanning a lot of years of music here, yet our songs share similar themes, stories, and values."
Going Out In Style signals the beginning of another chapter in Dropkick Murphys' own story. Barr explains, "I hope fans can listen to Going Out In Style with the same excitement we have. It's all about family and friends for us. No bullshit...we don't like to convolute things. That translates to the music, and the fans appreciate it. It's a beautiful thing, and I can't wait to introduce Cornelius Larkin to the world."
Going Out In Style Tracklisting:
- Hang 'Em High
- Going Out In Style
- The Hardest Mile
- Cruel
- Memorial Day
- Climbing A Chair To Bed
- Broken Hymns
- Deeds Not Words
- Take 'Em Down
- Sunday Hardcore Matinee
- 1953
- Peg O' My Heart
- The Irish Rover
Upcoming Tour Dates with Against Me!:
- February 23 Niagara Falls, NY The Rapids Theatre
- February 24 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
- February 25 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Center
- February 26 Chicago, IL Congress Theater
- February 27 Chicago, IL Congress Theater
- March 1 Denver, CO The Fillmore
- March 2 Kansas City, MO The Beaumont Club
- March 3 Minneapolis, MN First Avenue
- March 4 Des Moines, IA Val Air Ballroom
- March 5 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
- March 6 Cleveland, OH House Of Blues
- March 8 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
- March 9 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
- March 10 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom
- March 11 New York, NY Roseland Ballroom
- March 12 Washington, DC Shamrock Fest at RFK Stadium
- March 13 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
- March 16 Boston, MA House Of Blues
- March 17 Boston, MA House Of Blues
- March 18 Boston, MA House Of Blues
- March 19 Lowell, MA Tsongas Arena
