Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Flogging Molly @ The Myth, Maplewood. Feb 23 with Aggrolites and The Mighty Stef.... a review

By my friend Tom....he is awesome and I'm jealous he gets to go to more shows than me.

Without the tin whistle, banjo and violin they would just be a punk band. Without the guitar, bass and drums they would just be an Irish-folk band. Then again, without front man Dave King, they probably wouldn't be one of the Irish-Punk leaders they are today. That isn't fair to say though; each member of the seven piece band brings their own elements to the stage that as a whole becomes Flogging Molly.

On their Green 17 Tour, the "Bring St. Patrick's Day to Area Cities" Tour is in support of their 4th Album, “Float”. Within A Mile of Home is still my favorite album of theirs. It had the old punk feel to it, but crisper and cleaner sounding. On it’s way to becoming a nicely polished stone. I wasn't totally sold on Float at first. It seemed to have gone more to the folk side with punk undertones. It took a few listens to come around though. The more I listen to it, the more I appreciate Dave's ability to write a meaningful song. While I feel the album could be a bit heavier on the guitar, like past albums, it defiantly rocks on a different level. The more I think about it, Flogging Molly shows no signs of settling down.

This was the 3rd time I've seen Flogging Molly, but the first time actually paying for it.
Every few years they play St. Paul's Irish Festival, which is always a free festival. One of the great things about FM is their ability to attract such a colorful, diverse crowd. Punks, drunks and families. This was no different for the Myth. As soon as I got in, I almost took out a little girl that was maybe pushing 8 years old. I missed The Mighty Stef, due to one of the longest lines I've stood in for a show, so I can't say anything about them. The second band, Aggrolites were “alright” in my book. I wasn't all that into their style of Reggae and Ska. The crowd seemed to be enjoying them; they just didn't tickle my pickle.

Around 9:45, it was a later show; the lights go out and out comes FM. It starts out with a heavy bass riff, It's "Man With No Country" a new song form Float, and one of my favorites on the album. It was a great opening song and the band shows that punk energy we all love to see. The crowd seems to take it as nicely hand written invitation, but the only thing written is, "Get rowdy!" The crowd accepts. One thing I hate to see more than a band not giving 100% is my fellow moshers not going berserk. I feel like if I'm not giving my all in the pit, I'm letting the band down. I've always felt like everyone in the pit feeds of each other’s energy, in turn making the band feel more appreciated. In the end, they give us one hell of a show. There seems to be no confusion amongst the crowd. Everyone gives it their all.

A few songs in Dave does his thing, takes a sip of a pint, talks in that wonderful Irish accent and drops a few F-bombs, despite the age level of the crowd. Now the great thing I've noticed about Dave, how proud he is, not just for what he's done, but for the rest of his fellow band mates. He knows they are all a family and they would be nothing without each other out there every night. He has a genuine passion for what he does and for his band.

He talks about what this tour was going to be about. This year they wanted to try something different, they were going to play old songs they haven't played in years and songs they've never done live before. The crowd explodes. They played about 6-7 songs I haven't heard live before and a few old ones like; "The Worst Day Since Yesterday", "If I Ever Leave This World Alive" (another favorite of mine), and "The Kilburn High Road". Also a great tribute to his mother, "The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)". They played their usual hits, "Drunken Lullabies", "Tobacco Island", "Requiem for a Dying Song", "Rebels of the Sacred Heart", "The Lightning Storm", "Selfish Man", "Devil's Dance Floor" and "The Likes of You Again". For the most part, it was kind of a casual show, with a lot of their slower songs. That didn't stop the crowd or the band from giving it everything they had. Especially, when they played "Float". There is something about that song that I can't explain. Everyone seems to connect when they play it. I really just wanted to buy everyone around me a beer and just jump with them during that song (again, another favorite). For the encore, Dave came out alone and did a very powerful version of "Grace of God Go I". They ended the night with a classic that started it all, "Salty Dog".

I was very pleased with the performance, the crowd and the night in general. I can't say that it was as good as the IrishFest shows though. Not because they played better, or it was a free show (free is affordable), it's just a much larger crowd, its outdoors, everyone seems a little more under the influence. It's just a very different atmosphere. If you haven't seen a FM show, check them out next time they are in town, you will enjoy it. If you are a fan already, I urge you to check out "Whiskey on a Sunday” It’s a DVD documentary about how the band got started, how it tours, writes, interact with each other, etc. I believe it's one of the best inside looks at an incredibly passionate band. Also, it has a few live, acoustic and unreleased tracks on it. Hope you enjoyed.

tomwiener-

Monday, March 2, 2009

rush, out the door

Rush Limbaugh said to Michael Steele "Why do you claim to lead the Republican Party when you seem obsessed with seeing to it President Obama succeeds?"
Casie Siekman said to Rush Limbaugh "Why don't you want the President of the United States to succeed? Wouldn't it be good for everyone, of every party if we had a truly successful president?"
Rush Limbaugh is ridiculous...and cranky.
I don't usually talk politics, but his comments are really starting to annoy me.