Great Show on Landsdowne
Mar 17 '02 (Updated Mar 13 '08)
The Bottom Line If you have the chance to see the Murphys play in Boston on St. Patricks's Day weekend, DON'T PASS IT UP!
Friday, March 15th, 2001 was my fifth time seeing the rowdy Irish punk rockers, the Dropkick Murphys. I've loved every show, but never before had I seen them on St. Patrick's weekend. I was sure they would step it up for the holiday in their hometown, and they did not disappoint.
As the crowd loudly chanted "Let's go Murphy's," the lights in the Avalon Ballroom dimmed and a flag with the Murphys' logo dropped down from the ceiling. Then the Boston Police Gaelic brigade took the stage and warmed up the crowd with drumming and bagpipes. They played two songs on their own before going into Cadence to Arms and ushering in the band. The police cleared the stage as the Murphys launched into the obligatory For Boston, getting the crowd into an immediate frenzy.
They rolled on with favorites such as Memories Remain, Good Rats and Curse of a Fallen Soul. They sounded as solid as ever, entertaining the crowd with a bit of humorous talk in between some songs. During The Spicy McHaggis Jig, they invited as many young ladies as possible to jump on stage and join the piper. Unfortunately, we were too far back at the time to get my girlfriend on stage to proudly display her new "I Love Spicy" t-shirt.
They closed the main part of the set with The Gauntlet, a song you can't help but to raise your fist and shout along with. Great choice for a pre-encore closer.
For the encore, Boston's finest came back on stage to lead us in Amazing Grace. One of the pipers stood face to face with Spicy during the song, creating a very cool scene. The encore also featured a good cover of the Who's The Kids Are All Right.
During the encore, Ken Casey asked for the clips of hockey fights that had been airing between sets to be shown on the screen again. While the fights played, Dicky Barrett from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones came aboard to sing a tribute to Boston and its famous "dirty water." They ended the show as always with Skinhead on the MBTA as all the fans that could fit hopped on stage. They didn't mix any AC/DC into the number, but they still closed the show in the usual crowd-pleasing fashion.
There were a few songs I was hoping for that didn't make the cut such as Wild Rover, Boys on the Dock, and The Gang's All Here. I had also hoped to hear Pipebomb on Landsdowne for the sheer irony, but they probably would have gotten in trouble for that one, so I'll let it slide.
I don't mind missing a few songs since they crammed a lot of other favorites in. They also needed the room to toss in some new tunes. They played two new ones from the next album, and they sounded good. I also recommend checking out the Dropkick Murphys/Face To Face six-song CD. It's a good preview of things to come. I am really looking forward to the next album.
I'm also looking forward to new live material. They recorded the three shows from the weekend for a live disc. They also filmed it for a DVD. If you want to see me on the DVD, look for the guy with the Red Sox hat. Can't miss it.
Well, another Murphys show - another great time. Their performances are incredible anywhere and any day, but for St. Patrick's Day and/or Boston, you'd better believe they step it up.
Also from the Dropkick Murphys:
Do Or Die
The Gang's All Here
Sing Loud Sing Proud
Blackout
The Warrior’s Code
The Meanest of Times
Live On St. Patrick's Day
Tessie
The Singles Collection Vol. 2
Warped Tour
On the Road With the Dropkick Murphys
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