Two years after the release of The Warrior’s Code, the most successful album of their career, Dropkick Murphys are back this fall with their follow-up, The Meanest of Times.
If you haven’t already heard of these hardcore celtic punkers, chances are you’ll recognize their music from Martin Scorcese’s Academy Award-winning film The Departed, whose memorable opening sequence was accompanied by DKM‘s “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”
The anthemic, rabble-rousing track from their last release has also been featured in professional wrestling matches (as wrestler John Cena‘s entrance theme), baseball games (for the Boston Red Sox’s Jonathan Papelbon), and UFC tournaments.
Dropkick Murphys are nothing if not consistent. Since their formation in 1996, the band has focused on creating a specifically Boston-bred Irish punk sound as well as maintaining their loyalty to Celtic folk. The group goes beyond the typical three-piece punk set-up and incorporates archaic instruments into their music, such as the bodhrán, a war drum used during the Irish rebellion of 1603, and, of course, bagpipes.
The Meanest of Times will be available September 18 from the band’s own label, Born & Bred Records, in association with Warner Music Group’s Independent Label Group. Guest appearances include Spider Stacy of fellow celtic punkers The Pogues and Ronnie Drew of the lengendary Irish folk band The Dubliners.
True to their workhorse reputation, the band will finish up their extensive European tour in time to be back in the U.S. for another round of summer shows.
Upcoming Dropkick Murphys Tour Dates:
August 2 – Mulcahy’s, Wantagh, NY
August 3 – Tink’s, Scranton, PA
August 4 – The Norva, Norfolk, VA
August 5 – Amos’ Southend, Charlotte, NC
August 6 – Malone’s, Savanna GA
August 7 – House of Blues, Myrtle Beach, SC
August 8 – Bottle and Cork, Dewey Beach, DE
August 9 – Stone Pony Lot, Asbury Park, NJ
August 10 – The Silo, Reading, PA
August 11 – Saranac Brewery, Utica, NY
August 12 – ICONS Irish Connections Festival, Irish Cultural Centre of New England, Canton, MA
September 20 – Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY
Dropkick Murphys: “I’m Shipping up to Boston”