Dropkick Murphys review

Al Barr of the Dropkick Murphys

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From the opening knell of "Famous For Nothing" from the Dropkick Murphy's new album, The Meanest of Times, it was clear the band came to kick indeed Saturday night at the Wiltern. Al Barr, lead singer and co-lead singer/bassist Ken Casey never let it rest all night, giving the crowd, seemingly mostly from the state, er, Commonwealth of Massachusetts a long awaited fix of their brand of Celtic punk.

Even those not prone to punk are attracted to the Murphs, myself included. Somehow they make it more accesible than most, making it more of a common man music than an angry youth one. With bagpipe and mandolin, this is not the Dead Kennedys or Black Flag to be sure, and like on St. Patrick's, suddenly everyone at their show is somehow Irish.

The crowd seemed to be very familiar with the band's music, with most singing along at every opportunity. And the band, apparently following a tradition, pulled women up on stage for one song, followed by only men on another.

Overall a great show, with something for everyone. You don't have to be from Boston to love these guys.

--David Sprague

The crowd well into DKM's show by the third song