THE BOYS ARE BACK – AND THEY’RE LOOKING FOR UNITY!
SINGLE REVIEW | DROPKICK MURPHYS | SIRENS 5/5
Boston’s finest celtic punk rock band, Dropkick Murphys, have now been around for 28 years and show no signs of slowing down. Forming in 1996, they began life with more of a street punk sound, especially on debut album Do Or Die, before they gradually transitioned into their celtic punk sound in the early 2000s following the addition of vocalist Al Barr. From there, they solidified their aesthetic and have put out several great albums over the years, including 2005’s The Warriors Code (which includes arguably their most popular song, ‘I’m Shipping Up To Boston‘), 2007’s The Meanest Of Times and 2011’s Going Out In Style. The band have had many members come and go in the intervening years with the current line up consisting of original member Ken Casey (vocals) as well as Tim Brennan (guitar, accordian, tin whistle, piano), Jeff DaRosa (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Matt Kelly (drums), James Lynch (guitar), Kevin Rheault (bass) and touring bagpiper Campbell Webster.
Known for their energetic and raucous live shows, it’s safe to say you haven’t really experienced the true Dropkick Murphys in their most essential form until you’ve caught them in a live setting, as it’s only their you’re inducted into becoming part of the Murphys family – every show embraces the unity that can only be found through their music and feels like one big group hug!
Dropkick Murphys have always been about fighting the power and supporting the working man and this is something they’ve never lost sight of in their almost three decades as a band. Recently, following Barr’s decision to take a hiatus from the band to care for his old mum, the remaining members have tried their hand at a brace of acoustic albums, utilising mostly unused lyrics by Woody Guthrie, a musician who’s world views and ethics align with the Murphys own. This Machine Still Kills Fascists and Okemah Rising were released in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Their new single, ‘Sirens‘ marks their first brand new music since 2021’s full-length, Turn Up That Dial.
The song finds the band revisiting their early sound a little and is a straight up punk rock banger. Featuring an epic guitar riff throughout (which evokes memories of Firestarter Karaoke) with Casey’s hard hitting vocals lamenting the state of the US at present, it’s a call to arms for those who are oppressed by those with the power, urging their fans to stand together in these tumultuous times rather than turning on each other. The band are clearly pissed off with the state of their country, as Casey puts it: “For nearly a decade, the division between red and blue, right and left, has grown deeper, darker and uglier — dividing families, and ending friendships. Nobody enjoys this more than the billionaires, who are making record profits off the blood, sweat, and tears of the working class. They love it when we fight amongst ourselves, because their biggest fear is us joining together to come after them…THE REAL ENEMY.”
The song itself has a little of regular touring mates sound in it’s DNA – Rancid, who in turn featured a Murphys-esque feel on Prisoners Song from their latest album, last years Tomorrow Never Comes. It’s the Murphys at their angry, political best, finding them remaining as relevant as ever, and Sirens is possibly their best work to date.
Sirens is available to stream now and is accompanied by an excellent video. The band are due to release a new album sometime next year.
Dropkick Murphys return to the UK for the first time since their appearances at Slam Dunk Festival 2022 for a headlining tour in early 2025, with tickets available to purchase now.
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