Concert Reports

Dropkick Murphys & Flogging Molly celebrated 20 years of mayhem at Avila Beach Resort on September 26 

All Photos: Ray Soto / Central Coast Rocks

DropkickMurphys.com        FloggingMolly.com

AvilaBeachResort.com

Dropkick Murphys. Flogging Molly. They share a working class ethos, they share an Irish heritage and Celtic folk influence, and now – for the first time – these two giants of American punk rock are sharing the stage for a co-headlining U.S. tour. This historic run, celebrating over 20 years of mayhem, made a stop at Avila Beach resort on September 26

Dropkick Murphys hit the stage first with their signature intro “Captain Kelly’s Kitchen,” followed by a stiff uppercut in the sing along, fist pumping “The Boys Are back,” which set the tone for the band’s high energy show that had the capacity Avila crowd engaged throughout the night. Highlights also included “Rose Tattoo” and “Blood,” from the band’s ninth studio album “Short Stories of Pain & Glory,” released last year. The band closed out their set by inviting dozens of fans on stage for a rousing cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap.”

The Irish know how to party and have fun, and as exciting and energetic as The Murphy’s set was Flogging Molly kept the party going in their own stylistic and rousing way. (No More) “Paddy’s Lament,” “The Hand of John L Sullivan,” & “Drunken Lullabies” whipped everyone into an Irish frenzy. The social and political awareness that drives Flogging Molly’s music is never more prominent than in their upcoming new release LIFE IS GOOD - a strikingly powerful album and it arrives at a strikingly key time. The sixth studio album by the renowned Celtic-punk rockers now in their 20th year is mature, well crafted, equally polished and almost aggressively topical. It is filled with rousing songs that are timeless in their sentiment, but directly related to today’s most pressing concerns: Politics, the economy, unemployment, planned boomtowns gone bust, immigration policies gone awry, and much more.

Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly--two giants of American punk rock that share a working class ethos, an Irish heritage and Celtic folk influence-- wrapped the initial leg of their first-ever co-headlining tour, celebrating over 20 years of mayhem, and have now returned to the road in September for more shows together. The second leg of dates kicked off September 17 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and winds across the West, wrapping on September 29 in Mesa, Arizona.

Ken Casey, Dropkick Murphys’ vocalist / bassist / founder explains, “It’s been one hell of a party. Great to hang with our old friends Flogging Molly on and off the stage and it’s been great to see so many smiling faces in the audience each night. It’s something the two bands and the fans have wanted for a long time. We are so excited for the next leg of the tour out West!!!!!”

Flogging Molly’s Dave King vocalist / founder says, "What a tour this has been...It took many years, but worth the wait, not just for the bands, but the fans as well. If there's an Irish punk rock heaven, then this is it! Touring with the Dropkick Murphys has been a highlight of our touring lives, what a great band, and a great bunch of lads, can’t wait to bring this celebration to the West Coast! So, get ready and grab your partner because we’re all just dancers on the ‘Devils Dance Floor’!”

Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys received widespread praise from fans and the media during this historic run of shows. Brooklyn Vegan called the tour, “…one hell of a double bill of Celtic punk… [June 17, 2018].” Elsewhere, Omaha World-Herald called the two bands “…collectively the pinnacle of a genre that mixes up punk rock and Irish folk, raging guitars and tin whistle, head-banging beats and bagpipes [June 11, 2018].”

Dropkick Murphys:

Dropkick Murphys¬ – Al Barr (lead vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, accordion, mellotron, whistles, vocals), Ken Casey (lead vocals, bass guitar), Jeff DaRosa (banjo, bouzouki, mandolin, harmonica, acoustic guitars, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, vocals), James Lynch (guitar, vocals) – are touring in support of their 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory album, released through the band's own Born & Bred Records in 2017. The album debuted at #8 on the Billboard Top 200 and was the #1 independently released album. There's a feeling of purpose throughout the album, influenced by the band's work with The Claddagh Fund, a charity the band established in 2009 to help support addiction recovery as well as children's and veterans' organizations. Dropkick Murphys are hands-on in raising funds, mentoring, and lending a helping hand with veterans, youth sports, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many of the songs reflect these experiences, and the band's sadness, anger and dismay at the opiate epidemic ravaging the country – in particular, Boston and New England – and also their feeling of pride and optimism at the sight of those who have turned their lives around. Dropkick Murphys have become ambassadors for their city. In Boston, it seems like everybody knows someone connected to the band whether by blood, friendship, or the time they shared a brew at a Bruins game. They've built a legacy that does Beantown proud.

DropkickMurphys.com       facebook.com/DropkickMurphys

Flogging Molly:

Quintessential Irish-American folk punk band Flogging Molly – Dave King (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bodhran), Bridget Regan (violin, tin whistle), Dennis Casey (acoustic guitar, electric guitar), Bob Schmidt (banjo, mandolin), Matt Hensley (accordion, piano, concertina), Nathen Maxwell (bass guitar, vocals), Mike Alonso (drums, percussion) – are celebrating their 20th Anniversary as a staple in the punk scene and touring in support of Life Is Good, their first new album in over six years. It’s filled with rousing songs that are timeless in their sentiment, but directly related to today’s most pressing concerns: politics, the economy, unemployment, planned boomtowns gone bust, immigration policies gone awry, and much more. Life Is Good serves as a wake-up call to those who have simply stood by while far-reaching political decisions were made that had serious impact on them. The band started out as the house band at Molly Malone’s and built a loyal following. They’ve built a massive fan base through endless touring, and even have their very own boat cruise which has hosted everyone from Rancid to NOFX to The Offspring to Less Than Jake to The English Beat to The Bouncing Souls to Frank Turner to Gogol Bordello. This year marks the fourth year of their roaring Salty Dog Cruise.

FloggingMolly.com        facebook.com/floggingmolly

Avila Beach Resort

The Avila Beach Golf Resort has been a destination for mainstream entertainment for over 20 years. The Resort hosts yearly concert series with a variety of entertainment to fit a wide age demographic and all interests. Our Concerts at the Cove provides the audience quality entertainment with views overlooking beautiful Avila Beach; the most scenic view to watch a concert on the Central Coast!

Our venue provides our guests with a lasting memory of top of the line entertainment, a comfortable, intimate venue, local fun vendors with creative merchandise, a great selection of beer, wine and specialty drinks, and fresh local cuisine from The Grill, Avila Beach.

AvilaBeachResort.com
 

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