Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys at ShamrockFest in 2011
Dropkick Murphys at ShamrockFest in 2011
Background information
OriginQuincy, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres
Years active1996–present
Labels
Members
Past members
Websitedropkickmurphys.com

Dropkick Murphys are an American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996.[5] The current lineup consists of co-lead vocalist Ken Casey, drummer Matt Kelly, co-lead vocalist Al Barr (on hiatus from the band since 2022), rhythm and lead guitarist James Lynch, lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Tim Brennan, multi-instrumentalist Jeff DaRosa and bassist Kevin Rheault. Casey has been the band's only constant member since the band formed.

The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records; they released five albums for the label and built a reputation locally through constant touring[clarification needed] and yearly St. Patrick's Day week shows, held in and around Boston. The 2004 single, "Tessie" became the band's first mainstream hit and one of their biggest charting singles to date. The band's final Hellcat release, 2005's The Warrior's Code, included the song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." The song was featured in the 2006 film The Departed and became the band's only platinum-selling single to date. It remains one of their most popular songs. The band is known for their loud, energetic live shows.

In 2007, the band began releasing music through their own imprint label, Born & Bred via Alternative Distribution Alliance.[6] In 2007, The Meanest of Times made its debut at No. 20 on the Billboard charts and featured the successful single, "The State of Massachusetts", while 2011's Going Out in Style was an even bigger success, making its debut at No. 6 giving the band their highest-charting album to date.[7][8]

The band's eighth studio album, Signed and Sealed in Blood was released in 2013 making its debut at No. 9 on the Billboard charts and featured the single "The Season's Upon Us", a Christmas song which was one of the band's highest-charting singles, and the single, "Rose Tattoo", which has become one of their most popular songs.[9] The band's ninth album, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory was released on January 6, 2017; it debuted at number 8 on the Billboard charts and rose to number 2 on the charts.[10] Their tenth album, Turn Up That Dial, was released on April 30, 2021. Their eleventh album, This Machine Still Kills Fascists, was released on September 30, 2022. Their twelfth album, Okemah Rising, was released on May 12, 2023.

  1. ^ Pappalardo, Anthony (December 20, 2016). "Dropkick Murphys aim to shed light on silent drug epidemic with new album". Alternative Press. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
  2. ^ Breihan, Tom (January 3, 2017). "Album Of The Week: Dropkick Murphys 11 Short Stories Of Pain And Glory". Stereogum.
  3. ^ Robb, John (2006). Punk Rock: An Oral History. PM Press, Ebury Press. p. 512. ISBN 978-1-60486-005-4.
  4. ^ Dropkick Murphys biography at AllMusic
  5. ^ "Dropkick Murphys". Hellcat Records. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2007.
  6. ^ "Dropkick Murphys Spill 'Blood': "This Album Was Like Taking the Chains Off"". Billboard.com. January 8, 2013. Retrieved November 21, 2015.
  7. ^ "DROPKICK MURPHYS DEBUT ON BILLBOARD TOP 200 ALBUMS CHART AT No. 20 WITH "THE MEANEST OF TIMES"". Msopr.com. September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  8. ^ "Dropkick Murphys crack Billboard's top 10 – Sound Effects". Boston Globe. March 10, 2011. Retrieved July 5, 2011.
  9. ^ "Who Charted? Guitars Rule and Pop Drools as Dropkick Murphys Enter the Top 10". Spin.com. January 16, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  10. ^ "Dropkick Murphys". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2021.