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RETURN OF THE KINGS – The Pogues – Washington DC (March 10 2008)

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I’ve been a fan of The Pogues and have been going to their shows since the mid 80’s. Holy shite! I was going to write a review of their show last year in Las Vegas, but I didn’t get the chance. I’m glad about that now, however, because I just saw one of their best gigs ever. No shit.

Here is what happened…..

I was on tour with my band (The Mahones), and had a night off from our St. Paddy’s tour of the USA and Canada when we happened to land in DC the night of The Pogues show there. We drove from Virginia, where we had played the night before, and scrambled to get passes – we did thanks to some of our friends. We got there just as the first pick hit the strings. Perfect timing.

Then lads blasted out of the gates with ‘Streams of Whiskey’, ‘If I should Fall from Grace with God’, ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’ and ‘Turkish Song of the Damned’. Four direct blows to the face that left us all hot and sweaty in no time! Next up was the classic ‘A Pair Of Brown Eyes’, and Shane had everyone in the crowd arm-in-arm singing “and a rove and a rove…”. The vibe was now set for the night. The old classic ‘Dark Streets of London’ was next – the boys were now dipping into the very old stuff. Fuckin’ fantastic and it just gets even better with age, I’ll tell you that much !!

Up next is the band’s other front man, Spider. He pulled out their big hit ‘Tuesday Morning’ and got the crowd rocking! Shane then returned for ‘Sayanora’, (one of Hell’s Ditch’s best) and then made his way into an acoustic version of ‘Kitty’ off Red Roses for Me. The band then returned in full force to get to get the ball rollin’ (yet again) with ‘Sunny Side of the Street’. At the point, the house was nothing but smiles, as if we all knew that this gig was a special one – even the band themselves were all smiling. I must say, the lads are looking fantastic in their fedora hats and cool suits. Crazy!!

Next up was ‘Repeal of the Licensing Laws’ (an old original instrumental by Spider), which is a classic Irish Punk jam that has not only set the template for Irish Punk as we know it today, but is covered by many bands. Amazing. Maybe one day they will do ‘the Battle March’ ? Anyways, Shane then returned with ‘Body of an American’ and ‘Boys of the County Hell’…and the place went nuts. It’s not over yet folks!

Spider then took center stage again for a cool acoustic number call ‘Love You Til’ the End’. Now, I thought this was a new song, but my friends tell me it’s not. Anyways, this song was a great track and had radio hit written all over it. Very cool indeed. Where is it from?

Next up is Phil Chevron. I never really knew about Phil and his other work in the past, but always knew he wrote the classic ‘Thousands are Sailing’, which should be a play, by the way. As a musician, I never thought much of his guitar playing (I’m a Pete Townsend fan), but after seeing The Pogues in Las Vegas last year with a stand-in guitarist, I have definitely changed my tune. Not only is he a great guitarist, and the only guitarist for The Pogues, at that, he is the heart of the band !! Welcome back Phil. You were missed more than you know.

Shane returned once again to take the band home. The old classic ‘Greenland Whale Fisheries’, the audience favorites ‘Dirty Old Town’, ‘Bottle of Smoke’ and ‘Sick Bed of Cuchulainn’ were blasted out to bring this show to its finale – and what a finale it was. The crowd went wild as if Ireland had just won the World Cup (one can dream) and off they went! You know they are coming back:) !

There they were, hands in the air, like the champs they were that night. ‘Sally Maclennane’ blasts out of the PA system and the place goes ape shit. I was lifted off of the ground but I just didn’t care. Beer was flying through the air and I could not have been happier. What a party! Next up was my personal favorite, ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’. This song in the most romantic song in the world and it comes from The Pogues. Go figure (I actually got on my knees and proposed to my wife Katie while they were playing this live in Las Vegas 2 years ago). Love that fucking song! Wow! Sorry got sidetracked…Where was I ? Oh Yeah, then came one of the best Irish Traditional songs ever, ‘The Irish Rover’ a.k.a ‘The Dog’. What a great ending. Off they went again like the fucking Kings they are, and yes, the crowd was still going nuts. Yeah baby !!!!

Well, guess what?! The shows wasn’t over yet! Out they came again, this time with Andrew Rankin up front, and off they went into that old trad classic ‘Star of the County Down’. Andrew sings like Tom Waits on Jamesons, and the Darryl Hunts Gibson SG slow bass groove shook us to the bone. Master musician Terry Woods and multi-instrumentalist Jem Finner picked out the melody with precision and were off! Shane returned to center stage, this time to do ‘Paddy On the Railway’. This song is so much fun to enjoy from the mosh pit, with its slow verses and fast choruses – its like a self-contained party concealed in one song, and one of my favorite traditional Irish songs of all time. Then, the shit hit the fan one last time, and it was time to Fiesta! Jem pulled out the saxophone -people were jumping, spinning and throwing the last of their drinks in the air as if the New Years ball had just dropped in Manhattan. You should have seen James Fearnley throwing that accordion around! Punk accordion like you wouldn’t bel ieve! It was like a bomb went off. With one last wave good-bye, the band was off. What a fucking show! I was standing there at that point covered in beer, soaked in sweat, kind of drunk, and happier than a pig in shit. Now that’s what I call a concert! No ‘White City’, ‘Young Ned of the Hill’ or ‘Fairytale of New York’…but it doesn’t matter. Best fucking gig ever. Hell Yeah !!!!

Now listen up Paddy Punks: all I can say is that there is no question that The Pogues are the best Irish Punk band in the world and always will be. I’ve seen all the bands including The Dropkick Murphy’s, Flogging Molly, and my favorites, The Mahones (shameless plug lol) etc……., but none of them even come close to the talent and the songwriting of these crazy bastards from Ireland. Terry Woods once told me that The Pogues should get back together and take their crown back. Thank God they did. Not only have they taken back their crown, but they have their heavyweight belts to boot. “The Irish Punk Clash”. No one is better or more important to this genre of music. So, please don’t break up again lads. We need The Pogues in this crazy world more than ever now. Thank you for a great show. Can’t wait until then next one. The Kings have returned, and long live the Kings. Cheers to that !!!!

Review by: Finny McConnell – Singer, Guitarist and Songwriter for The Mahones

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FLOGGING MOLLY – TROCADERO THEATER, PHILADELPHIA PA (FEBRUARY 8, 2001)

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The openers for Flogging Molly were mediocre. The first band, World/Inferno Friendship Society were good the first time I saw them at the Pontiac Grille with River City High, but this time around they didn’t impress me. The lead singer breathed fire and one of the percussionists set her cymbals aflame, but I thought they’d do more than that since they were in a bigger space (unlike the tiny Pontiac Grille stage). They still churned out some decent songs, most of which are a combination of punk and swing.

The World/Inferno Friendship Society was not as bad as the second act, Chicago’s Blue Meanies. I was told that they were a ska/punk type of band, but I didn’t hear any ska beats. I was also turned off when the lead singer sang through a bullhorn for a few songs. I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one who was turned off by them, as I noticed they hardly got any crowd reaction at all.

Finally, Flogging Molly came out and opened up with “Every Dog Has Its Day”. The song started off slow, and then the tempo got fast and whipped the mosh pit into a fury of people slam dancing and doing Irish jigs. (Flogging Molly is an Irish/Celtic folk punk band.)

The septet gave off a tremendous amount of energy, especially front man Dave King, who kept drinking from a pitcher of Guinness all night. He was a joy to watch, especially when he put down his acoustic guitar and danced during the guitar solo in “Black Friday Rule”. The bands showcased two new songs which I think were “Rebels of the Sacred Heart” and “Death Valley Queen”.

I was extremely happy when they played “Devil’s Dance Floor”, because the first time I saw Flogging Molly play back in December, they didn’t get to play it. My favorite songs, “Salty Dog, Selfish Man”, and “Life in a Tenement Square”, were played as well. The highlight of the evening was when the band played “Delilah”. When the chorus came up, the lights were turned on the audience, which prompted them to sing along. They were eventually told by security to end the show, but the crowd just kept chanting “Ole!,” wanting them to play more. I thought the concert was really over since the house lights were on, but then the band did come back on stage and closed with “Sentimental Johnny”.

Flogging Molly is one of the best live bands today. They never grow tired of playing and always keep the crowd moving

.Thanks to Lauren Dayap for the review.

Live

Tommy & The Terrors, Hudson Falcons, The Skels, Darkbuster – The Middle East, Cambridge MA, (July 28, 2001)

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There were a lot of reasons to make tonight’s sold out show a great one; a Tommy & the Terrors/Darkbuster split CD release party, a Boston v’s New Jersey showdown and ‘Darkbusters’ last ever show.

Tommy & the Terrors
First up were Tommy & the Terrors (wasn’t there an Irish Punk band called Terry and the Terrors once?); now stripped down to a four piece after the departure of guitarist Kevin. Tommy & the Terrors can be best described as “Yobcore”; a cross between Oi, Street Punk with a good dose of old school Boston hardcore played with the f**k you attitude of a soccer hooligan. A good live set which included a great Bad Brains cover thrown in. If you’re into fast, catchy Street Punk check’em out.

Hudson Falcons
Next up were New Jersey’s Hudson Falcons; a band I really admire. Easily the best of the new Punk band that have arrived on the scene over the last couple of years. Mark Linskey and Co. can easily claim to be the hardest working band in America; two split CD’s a full length CD in the last six months and always f**kin on tour. The Hudson Falcons took control of stage like the road master they are and played a blistering set of Rock’n’Roll influenced Punk. Nice to see “Come out you Black and Tans” back in the set, “The Rat is Dead” ripped some faces off down front and “Alternative Ulster” would have made Jake Burns envious in ’79 let alone 2001.

The Skels
Chants of “Yankee’s Suck”, “Yankee’s Suck”, resonated around the now near full to capacity Middle East as the Jersey flag laden Skels claimed the stage to do battle with the Red Sox nation. The Skels are a bunch of Jersey lad’s playing some of the finest Punk-Folk this side or that side of Hoboken. Anyone who said you can’t mosh to banjos was never at a Skel’s gig.
High points of the set were; the bruising cover of Shane MacGowan’s “Donegal Express”, “Broken Heart in Every Empty Glass” dedicated to Darkbuster, the encore of “South Australia” and Scott Heath keeping his clothes on.
Low points; no “Finest White Girl” (guys I had brought my Ska dancing shoes just for it) and Chris taking his clothes off.

Darkbuster
Let Darkbuster be a warning to you! Don’t ever bring that friend of yours who happens to be a Sawdoctors fan to a punk show. They will jump right into the mosh pit, arms and legs flailing and come out with a busted head so you’ll have to leave with them within five songs. From what I did see of Darkbuster, I just can’t believe it was the first time I’ve ever heard them (and the last). They were excellent, imagine if Blink-182 was any good or Greenday had balls and a fondness for Budweiser only Gang Green in their heyday could match.

Live

Hudson Falcons, Wrong Side of the Tracks – Emerald Isle, Dorchester MA, (August 26, 2001)

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The Hudson Falcons are like Rock’n’Roll evangelists, spreading their “Punk’n’Roll” gospel throughout the punk revival tents of America. The Hudson Falcons will play anywhere, anytime, whether to two or a thousand of the faithful.

This should have been a review of Ireland’s Blood or Whiskey but due to very last minute visa hassles Blood or Whiskey ended up stranded in Dublin. The Hudson Falcons jumped in at the last minute so a show could go ahead. There was a reasonable turnout considering all the confusion.

The Hudson Falcons provided us with an hour and a quarter of their SFL/Cocksparrer/Springsteen influenced “Shell Shock Rock”. Tonight’s show definitely had a strong Irish bent (to make up for the Blood or Whiskey no show). The rarely played “Brenda Murphy”, “Monahans”, “The Rat is Dead” and of course “Come out you Black and Tans” played with a ferocity that could stop a Wolfe Tones pacemaker (Pat “nimble fingers” Kennedy helped on piano). The new songs fitted in perfectly to the set – even “Sweet Rock’n’Rollin…” in my opinion the weakest track on “For Those…”, was one of the best live along with “Johnny Law”

Check’em out if you haven’t and unlike The Monkey’s they will be coming to you town.

Support was from Wrong Side of the Tracks, it wouldn’t be fair to review them here cos they were really the PA guinea pigs and the sound sucked for 85% of their set. For the record they play Social D. influenced “Punk’n’Roll” with the nice addition of a piano to the sound.

Live

Stiff Little Fingers and Lost City Angels – The Paradise, Boston (September 6, 2001)

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Irish punk legends Stiff Little Fingers started their fall American tour at the Paradise – a Boston club they haven’t played since their first Stateside trip, 21 years ago.

Some of the NFL’s New England Patriots made the Paradise notorious a few years back when they stage-dived onto regular-size people at an Everclear concert. It’s understandable how a brutal, high-octane band like Everclear can whip anyone into a stage-diving frenzy; nonetheless the negative attention led authorities to close the Paradise for code violations.Now back in business, the Paradise looks exactly like it did before the closing, with its polished, Euro-hip decor. The joint may host techno dancing much of the time, but it can be a great venue for infrequent big punk shows. The room is fairly small and shallow, with its wide stage looming nearby wherever you stand, creating anintimate atmosphere. Tonight it was sold out. Younger scenesters and fans filled the floor, and the old fogies milled up on the balcony.

Lost City Angels were a perfect choice to open. The talented five-piece band of punks play upbeat, melodic hard rock songs on the long side with tight arrangements and cool dynamics. A lot of the kids up front sang and shouted along as the singer, a natural-born performer, and the harmonizing bassist belted out their original anthems. The crowd was suitably warmed up when LCA finished.

On a Celtic punk note, the sound guy played the Tossers, among other music, over the P.A. during the agonizingly long set change.

Finally, everybody’s favorite ‘80s-Irish-mulleted little guys took the stage in matching “Stiff Little Fingers” soccer jerseys with their respective last names stitched on the backs. The crowd went nuts to a few old hits like “Nobody’s Hero.” Explaining that they’re hoping to get a new record deal, the band soon trotted out several brand-new songs, not one of them bad ordifferent from what you’d expect. A standout was the slow reggae number “Listen to Your Heart.”

The last new song Jake prefaced with “I don’t know about you, but I am sick to death of seeing five young boys in vests doing backflips and calling that music…this is a song called ‘I Believe In the Power of Guitar and Drum.’” The anti-MTV anthemic ode to rock and roll snapped the crowd out of their temporary funk, the song’s sentiment alone getting fans to pogo again. “I see we’re of like mind on that one,” Jake said as the band finished to loud roars.

Next up was “No Surrender,” and a fight broke out. The combatants were quickly ejected. “To our more boisterous brethren up front,” Jake good-naturedly chided at the end of the song, “We’re up here singing about reconciliation and peace, and you’re fighting! Get a boxing license.” Soon SLF kicked into awesome mode with a string of old hits: “Wasted Life,” “Fly the Flag,” “Tin Soldiers,” and finally “Alternative Ulster.” Pogoing and singing along were at all-time highs. Their set had already clocked in at an hour and five minutes, but the boys came back for an encore, covering the Clash’s “White Riot” and closing with “At the Edge.”

It seems that over two decades SLF have lost none of their energy. Jake’s singing voice is as plaintive and hopeful as ever. And the band seemed as happy and excited to be up on stage playing as the crowd was to see them.

By Pat Kennedy

Live

The Town Pants – Newport Irish Festival (September 6, 2010)

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September 7, 2010

The Newport Irish festival is a really great little festival. Always a decent line up, not too big and you don’t feel hosed by the grubby, penny grabbers that usually run these type of things.

This year I headed down on the Labor Day Monday and caught the last day of the 3-dayer. Saw about 1/2 the set from the Screaming Orphans, an all girl/sister, trad-pop group from Ireland – decent but way too much paddy wack banter between songs – the type of shite that Irish people think the Yanks love but makes me cringe.

Also caught the tail end of the Tartan Terrors set, a Celtic rock’n’bagpipes outfit from Canada – good music and good banter and some off beat humor.

The Town Pants have become the de facto headlines of the festival and were definitely the band most of the punters were there to see – me included. This was their 4th visit to the Newport festival and 74th day of their present tour so they were well oiled and much anticipated – they did not disappoint. From their opener – The Weight of Words – to their final – Breakfast with St. Swithin – they played fast and loud. They even managed to get in covers of Bad Religion and Iron Maiden and still keep the 7 to 77 set and all the soccer moms and aging rockers in between happy and screaming for more – don’t believe me check out the videos.

Live

Flogging Molly – Trocadero Theater, Philadelphia (FEBRUARY 8, 2001)

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The openers for Flogging Molly were mediocre. The first band, World/Inferno Friendship Society were good the first time I saw them at the Pontiac Grille with River City High, but this time around they didn’t impress me. The lead singer breathed fire and one of the percussionists set her cymbals aflame, but I thought they’d do more than that since they were in a bigger space (unlike the tiny Pontiac Grille stage). They still churned out some decent songs, most of which are a combination of punk and swing.

The World/Inferno Friendship Society was not as bad as the second act, Chicago’s Blue Meanies. I was told that they were a ska/punk type of band, but I didn’t hear any ska beats. I was also turned off when the lead singer sang through a bullhorn for a few songs. I had a feeling I wasn’t the only one who was turned off by them, as I noticed they hardly got any crowd reaction at all.

Finally, Flogging Molly came out and opened up with “Every Dog Has Its Day”. The song started off slow, and then the tempo got fast and whipped the mosh pit into a fury of people slam dancing and doing Irish jigs. (Flogging Molly is an Irish/Celtic folk punk band.)

The septet gave off a tremendous amount of energy, especially front man Dave King, who kept drinking from a pitcher of Guinness all night. He was a joy to watch, especially when he put down his acoustic guitar and danced during the guitar solo in “Black Friday Rule”. The bands showcased two new songs which I think were “Rebels of the Sacred Heart” and “Death Valley Queen”.

I was extremely happy when they played “Devil’s Dance Floor”, because the first time I saw Flogging Molly play back in December, they didn’t get to play it. My favorite songs, “Salty Dog, Selfish Man”, and “Life in a Tenement Square”, were played as well. The highlight of the evening was when the band played “Delilah”. When the chorus came up, the lights were turned on the audience, which prompted them to sing along. They were eventually told by security to end the show, but the crowd just kept chanting “Ole!,” wanting them to play more. I thought the concert was really over since the house lights were on, but then the band did come back on stage and closed with “Sentimental Johnny”.

Flogging Molly is one of the best live bands today. They never grow tired of playing and always keep the crowd moving.Thanks to Lauren Dayap for the review.

Live

Tommy & The Terrors, Hudson Falcons, The Skels, Darkbuster: The Middle East, Cambridge MA (JUly 28, 2001)

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There were a lot of reasons to make tonight’s sold out show a great one; a Tommy & the Terrors/Darkbuster split CD release party, a Boston v’s New Jersey showdown and ‘Darkbusters’ last ever show.

Tommy & the Terrors
First up were Tommy & the Terrors (wasn’t there an Irish Punk band called Terry and the Terrors once?); now stripped down to a four piece after the departure of guitarist Kevin. Tommy & the Terrors can be best described as “Yobcore”; a cross between Oi, Street Punk with a good dose of old school Boston hardcore played with the f**k you attitude of a soccer hooligan. A good live set which included a great Bad Brains cover thrown in. If you’re into fast, catchy Street Punk check’em out.

Hudson Falcons
Next up were New Jersey’s Hudson Falcons; a band I really admire. Easily the best of the new Punk band that have arrived on the scene over the last couple of years. Mark Linskey and Co. can easily claim to be the hardest working band in America; two split CD’s a full length CD in the last six months and always f**kin on tour. The Hudson Falcons took control of stage like the road master they are and played a blistering set of Rock’n’Roll influenced Punk. Nice to see “Come out you Black and Tans” back in the set, “The Rat is Dead” ripped some faces off down front and “Alternative Ulster” would have made Jake Burns envious in ’79 let alone 2001.

The Skels
Chants of “Yankee’s Suck”, “Yankee’s Suck”, resonated around the now near full to capacity Middle East as the Jersey flag laden Skels claimed the stage to do battle with the Red Sox nation. The Skels are a bunch of Jersey lad’s playing some of the finest Punk-Folk this side or that side of Hoboken. Anyone who said you can’t mosh to banjos was never at a Skel’s gig.
High points of the set were; the bruising cover of Shane MacGowan’s “Donegal Express”, “Broken Heart in Every Empty Glass” dedicated to Darkbuster, the encore of “South Australia” and Scott Heath keeping his clothes on.
Low points; no “Finest White Girl” (guys I had brought my Ska dancing shoes just for it) and Chris taking his clothes off.

Darkbuster
Let Darkbuster be a warning to you! Don’t ever bring that friend of yours who happens to be a Sawdoctors fan to a punk show. They will jump right into the mosh pit, arms and legs flailing and come out with a busted head so you’ll have to leave with them within five songs. From what I did see of Darkbuster, I just can’t believe it was the first time I’ve ever heard them (and the last). They were excellent, imagine if Blink-182 was any good or Greenday had balls and a fondness for Budweiser only Gang Green in their heyday could match.

Live

Hudson Falcons, Wrong Side of the Tracks – Emerald Isle, Dorchester MA (August 26, 2001)

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The Hudson Falcons are like Rock’n’Roll evangelists, spreading their “Punk’n’Roll” gospel throughout the punk revival tents of America. The Hudson Falcons will play anywhere, anytime, whether to two or a thousand of the faithful.

This should have been a review of Ireland’s Blood or Whiskey but due to very last minute visa hassles Blood or Whiskey ended up stranded in Dublin. The Hudson Falcons jumped in at the last minute so a show could go ahead. There was a reasonable turnout considering all the confusion.

The Hudson Falcons provided us with an hour and a quarter of their SFL/Cocksparrer/Springsteen influenced “Shell Shock Rock”. Tonight’s show definitely had a strong Irish bent (to make up for the Blood or Whiskey no show). The rarely played “Brenda Murphy”, “Monahans”, “The Rat is Dead” and of course “Come out you Black and Tans” played with a ferocity that could stop a Wolfe Tones pacemaker (Pat “nimble fingers” Kennedy helped on piano). The new songs fitted in perfectly to the set – even “Sweet Rock’n’Rollin…” in my opinion the weakest track on “For Those…”, was one of the best live along with “Johnny Law”

Check’em out if you haven’t and unlike The Monkey’s they will be coming to you town.

Support was from Wrong Side of the Tracks, it wouldn’t be fair to review them here cos they were really the PA guinea pigs and the sound sucked for 85% of their set. For the record they play Social D. influenced “Punk’n’Roll” with the nice addition of a piano to the sound.

Live

Stiff Little Fingers, Lost City Angels -The Paradise, Boston (September 6, 2001)

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Irish punk legends Stiff Little Fingers started their fall American tour at the Paradise – a Boston club they haven’t played since their first Stateside trip, 21 years ago.

Some of the NFL’s New England Patriots made the Paradise notorious a few years back when they stage-dived onto regular-size people at an Everclear concert. It’s understandable how a brutal, high-octane band like Everclear can whip anyone into a stage-diving frenzy; nonetheless the negative attention led authorities to close the Paradise for code violations.Now back in business, the Paradise looks exactly like it did before the closing, with its polished, Euro-hip decor. The joint may host techno dancing much of the time, but it can be a great venue for infrequent big punk shows. The room is fairly small and shallow, with its wide stage looming nearby wherever you stand, creating anintimate atmosphere. Tonight it was sold out. Younger scenesters and fans filled the floor, and the old fogies milled up on the balcony.

Lost City Angels were a perfect choice to open. The talented five-piece band of punks play upbeat, melodic hard rock songs on the long side with tight arrangements and cool dynamics. A lot of the kids up front sang and shouted along as the singer, a natural-born performer, and the harmonizing bassist belted out their original anthems. The crowd was suitably warmed up when LCA finished.

On a Celtic punk note, the sound guy played the Tossers, among other music, over the P.A. during the agonizingly long set change.

Finally, everybody’s favorite ‘80s-Irish-mulleted little guys took the stage in matching “Stiff Little Fingers” soccer jerseys with their respective last names stitched on the backs. The crowd went nuts to a few old hits like “Nobody’s Hero.” Explaining that they’re hoping to get a new record deal, the band soon trotted out several brand-new songs, not one of them bad ordifferent from what you’d expect. A standout was the slow reggae number “Listen to Your Heart.”

The last new song Jake prefaced with “I don’t know about you, but I am sick to death of seeing five young boys in vests doing backflips and calling that music…this is a song called ‘I Believe In the Power of Guitar and Drum.’” The anti-MTV anthemic ode to rock and roll snapped the crowd out of their temporary funk, the song’s sentiment alone getting fans to pogo again. “I see we’re of like mind on that one,” Jake said as the band finished to loud roars.

Next up was “No Surrender,” and a fight broke out. The combatants were quickly ejected. “To our more boisterous brethren up front,” Jake good-naturedly chided at the end of the song, “We’re up here singing about reconciliation and peace, and you’re fighting! Get a boxing license.” Soon SLF kicked into awesome mode with a string of old hits: “Wasted Life,” “Fly the Flag,” “Tin Soldiers,” and finally “Alternative Ulster.” Pogoing and singing along were at all-time highs. Their set had already clocked in at an hour and five minutes, but the boys came back for an encore, covering the Clash’s “White Riot” and closing with “At the Edge.”

It seems that over two decades SLF have lost none of their energy. Jake’s singing voice is as plaintive and hopeful as ever. And the band seemed as happy and excited to be up on stage playing as the crowd was to see them.

By Pat Kennedy

Potato-eating, Whiskey-drinking, Bog-trotting, CELTIC PUNK ROCK