as published in 2010

When I was a wee laddie, I had a subscription to Kerrang! magazine (my taste has since improved) and one of the things as a music geek I’d love was their lists of best of all time. These lists would give me names of bands who’s records I’d go and track down, a sense of smugness as I’d agree with their choices and a sense of superiority as I disagreed with other choices. So, in the spirit of education and being a music snob, here is my list of the best Celtic-punk CDs of all time (subject to change of course).

1) The Pogues: Rum Sodomy and The Lash

The Pogues very best despite Elvis Costello’s production. The original of the species and the best. Without this we’d still be listening to Van Hagar

2) Flogging Molly: Swagger

FMs best and never yet repeated. The band and CD that started the US scene

3) Neck: Sod’em and Begorrah

The world most definite Celtic-punk band, their most definite CD

4) The Tossers: The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Contains the best single Celtic-punk song ever – the Dee Dee Ramone tribute, “No Loot, No Booze, No Fun” and the rest of the tracks aren’t half bad either

5) Blood or Whiskey: Blood or Whiskey

The band that made me open my eyes that there was more out there than just The Pogues

6) Greenland Whalefishers: Loboville

Not a drop of Irish blood and this good – no way – yeah way

7) Shane MacGowan and The Popes: The Snake

Just to prove Shane-O could do it without The Pogues

8) The Mahones: Here Come Lucky

Contains the other best single Celtic-punk track ever – “The Queen and Tequila”. Finny McConnell proves he’s one of the best song writers in any scene

9) Dropkick Murphys: Warriors Code

Shipping up to Boston – it will have you’re Granny singing along. Nuff said

10) BibleCodeSundays: Boot or no Boots

The future of Celtic-punk and the band that will break through to the stadiums (and redemption for the MacManus clan after elder brothers messing up of the production on 1)

Other Honorable’s

The Go Set: Sing a Song of Revolution

Totally out of the blue these guys showed up in the mail box and blow me away. Totally raw and passionate

Black 47: Fire of Freedom

While not strictly Celtic-punk I wouldn’t be doing this without B47

 The Rumjacks: Both EPs

When they get their debut full length out they will be bumping someone off the list

Black Sabbath: Heaven and Hell

Just for old time sake. RIP Dio