The Dropkick Murphys Meet Woody Guthrie in Song
Saturday, January 12th, 2008Ok, Woody Guthrie fans, I told you that more posts about Woody would be coming up on Deltachord’s Blog; especially posts about which artists have-written music for his lyrics that he didn’t compose music for. And here goes. First we’ll explore what the Dropkick Murphys have done with some of Woody’s lyrics. Dropkick Murphy fans are also welcome to explore.
But first, a little about The Dropkick Murphys…they originally played for kicks in Boston in a basement under a barber shop. They have recorded Cd’s with quite a few groups like Oxymoron, the Business, Face To Face, Agnostic Front, Bruisers, Anti Heroes, and the Ducky Boys.
On Blackout, which came out in 2003 they recorded “Gonna Be a Blackout Tonight” and they did a video for the song. Woody actually wrote the “Blackout” lyrics about WWII blackouts in London. According to Rolling Stone writer John D. Luerssen the band’s guitarist Ken Casey said they wanted to do the song they made “Blackout” the most hard driving song on the album because they wanted it to be very different from what Woody’s approach would have been.
“The record still contains rousing tunes rooted in Irish music & American Folk (Black Velvet Band & The Dirty Glass) and destined to be a Boston Bruins call to arms classic called “Time To Go”.” (Epitaph Records) Blackout is their fourth album. Which was also released on 10″ vinyl boasting 5 songs.
Bruce Springsteen is a Dropkick Murphys fan because they are so loyal to their fans in that they have built a community of people that they consider friends. This aspect is part of their roots in the working class and Irish heritage appeal and they live it. They are from Quincy, a suburb of Boston. The Dropkick Murphys play punk that includes bagpipes and tin whistles. Their repertoire includes political songs, friendship ballads, and bar songs.
Dropkick Murphys Video
Hear the Dropkick Murphys
Woody Guthrie
