The pictures tell the story, this life has many shades
Feb 25th Tulsa, OK – We caught up with the Dropkick Murphys early on in their 2019 St. Patrick’s Day Tour as they shipped some working class, bare knuckle, South Boston style rock & roll down to Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom. The tour is hitting nineteen cities as they work their way back to Boston for a special St. Patty’s Day show in the shadows of Fenway Park at The House of Blues.
This show reminds me of a one sided boxing match. Every band on the tour comes right at you, four impressive rounds of music and fun
Round 1: Amigo the Devil opens the ring with his talented one man show. Engaging the crowd with a dark, yet humorous setlist of songs such as, “The First Day of the End of My life”. He encouragingly leads you comfortably into the ring, with a sense that “Everything is Fine”.
Round 2: Boston punk veteran Lenny Lashley’s Gang of One takes the stage. Pumps up the volume, gets you moving and thinking. Lenny and company have created what seems to be a rarity these days, great music with meaningful social comentary, actual storytelling. You ease back knowing, “All Are Welcome”.
Round 3: London based rockers Booze & Glory bring the attitude, they push you in the corner with “London Skinhead Crew”, stand you up, make you pay attention with “Carry On”. Then they shove a pint in your hand, smack you on the back and shout, Ready mate!?!, as they pound you with their anthem “Only Fools Get Caught”.
Now you’re stumbling…
If asked to describe Booze and Glory live. Take The Clash, mix in some American Punk influences like Social Distortion and Black Flag and there ya go. The B&G live set is reminiscent of the early days of Punk. Playing loud, fast, but most importantly, having fun while doing it….and with a take no shit attitude.
Round 4: As the bell rings for the 4th and final round. The Dropkick Murphys storm right at you like Mike Tyson, punching you in the mouth with fan favorites “The Boys are Back” and “Blood”. Now you’re pinned in the corner, it’s late in the round, the pounding continues with “Shipping up to Boston” and “Rose Tattoo”.
You’re tossed around the ring as they ready you to land the K.O. punch. On this night it was a cover of AC/DC’s “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap”. This put the attending crowd in the champs corner and down for the count. Adding to the number of music lovers calling themselves fans of D.K.M.
This 1,2,3,4 combination makes for a knockout show! It’s a rare thing to see not just one, but four acts that can carry the crowd on the same bill. I have a feeling this tour might be one of those that people will later proudly say, “I saw that tour!”.
GO SEE THIS TOUR! Thank me later…Safe Travels!
Michael Young Instagram @Given2Flyimages
Photography by: Michael Young – All taken at Cain’s Ballroom
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Check out the Dropkick Murphys in 2018 Boston Red Sox World Series Championship Parade
2019 St. Patricks Day Tour Dates
FEB 17 – POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – MID-HUDSON CIVIC CENTER
FEB 18 – TORONTO, ON – REBEL
FEB 19 – GRAND RAPIDS, MI – MONROE LIVE
FEB 20 – MADISON, WI – THE SYLVEE
FEB 23 – WICHITA, KS – THE COTILLION
FEB 24 – DALLAS, TX – SOUTH SIDE BALLROOM
FEB 25 – TULSA, OK – CAIN’S BALLROOM
FEB 27 – AUSTIN, TX – STUBB’S WALLER CREEK AMPHITHEATER
MAR 1 – NEW ORLEANS, LA – FILLMORE NEW ORLEANS
MAR 2 – PENSACOLA, FL – VINYL MUSIC HALL
MAR 4 – ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JANNUS LIVE
MAR 5 – MIAMI BEACH, FL – THE FILLMORE MIAMI BEACH
MAR 6 – LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL – HOUSE OF BLUES ORLANDO
MAR 8 – MYRTLE BEACH, SC – HOUSE OF BLUES MYRTLE BEACH
MAR 9 – KNOXVILLE, TN – THE MILL + MINE
MAR 10 – RICHMOND, VA – THE NATIONAL
MAR 11 – LANCASTER PA – FREEDOM HALL
MAR 12 – PORTLAND, ME – STATE THEATRE
MAR 17 – BOSTON, MA – HOUSE OF BLUES BOSTON
For more information on Dropkick Murphys, visit:
- Website: www.dropkickmurphys.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/DropkickMurphys
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DropkickMurphys
- Instagram: @dropkickmurphys
- YouTube: www.youtube.com/dropkickmurphys
Cain’s Ballroom: https://www.cainsballroom.com
Did you know?
Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma was only 1 of 7 venues the Sex Pistols played on their only U.S. tour in 1978.
John Simon Ritchie aka Sid Vicious bass player for the Sex Pistols smashed his fist into a wall at the venue. The “hole” was later protected and is still there today.