On March 11, just around the corner from St. Patrick's Day, the Dropkick Murphys dropped a limited edition deluxe CD/DVD of their killer 2007 release The Meanest of Times on the masses. This well-known Celtic punk rock band, which hails from my neck of the woods in Quincy, MA, just finished its annual (and long sold-out) St. Patrick's Day shows in Boston and Lowell, MA a few nights ago as well.
The Dropkick Murphys have become legendary in Boston during their twelve years of existence, but it seems that with each passing year, they gain new audiences and more mainstream exposure, even beyond the music industry. For instance, the band's breakout Woody Guthrie-inspired hit "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" was featured in the box office hit The Departed in 2006 and played at Fenway Park each time Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon entered a game in 2007.
In fact, the Dropkicks have become heavily involved in Boston sports over the past several years. In 2004, they covered the Red Sox-themed piano-led boogie and rally song "Tessie," which could be heard following the conclusion of Red Sox games at Fenway Park right after The Standells' 1966 hit and ode to Boston, "Dirty Water." They've played at several Sox games, all of which the team has won, including Opening Day 2005 as part of the beloved home team's celebration for winning the World Series in 2004, their first since 1918. The Dropkick Murphys have also played free concerts at the TD Banknorth Garden after Boston Bruins home games in recent years, and performed on a flat-bed truck alongside Red Sox players as part of the team's 2007 World Series Championship parade last October, their second in four years. [Hey, Boston Celtics! You might want to give these guys a call sometime soon.]
Article comments