Is there any band more suited to drunken, sweaty, shirtless, kilted people jostling in a pit while singing along with every word than the Dropkick Murphys?
I won't pretend to be very familiar with the Celtic-punk-rock band (I've got the six albums but listen infrequently and the first thing I think of is the song from "The Departed"), but I can't imagine anyone going to the show last night at the Grand Sierra and not being drawn in by the fierce performance of a band that's had time to perfect their fairly unique craft.
The Murphys, kicking around since 1996, are known for impressive live shows — so says Wikipedia, the Grand Sierra's Website, and friends who have gone to their previous, regularly scheduled Reno engagements. Now I see why.
While their recorded material is still of only moderate interest to me, they are an absolute blast live, as the band mixes blistering punk with sounds of the old country, and actually needs the big stage at the GSR for all the people and instruments.
"The Auld Triangle," for instance, begins with the mournful sounds of a whistle and piano, before lead vocalist Al Barr jumps in with his characteristic growl along with pounding drums and roaring guitar while traditional elements stay interwoven.
Sound was well mixed, with the disparate and traditional instruments all ringing clear, and in the pit, where many speakers kind of blow right past you, the volume was very comfortable.
If there was a political message embedded in the show, it was "prohibition is bad," as big Irish-Catholic stained-glass banners were ripped down to reveal a collage of photos from the end of prohibition. A popular message, certainly, but it does seem a little dated. A more relevant moral was having respect for you elders. Barr said "Life is full of surreal moments," and one for him was watching opening act and classic punks the Adolescents perform — while standing next to Steve Youth of 7 Seconds.
"Let's give a hand to the bands that made it possible for bands like us," Barr said.
Naturally, most people at the completely packed show were far more familiar with the band than I. And fans come from all walks of life (though mostly white), with one woman who looked in her 40s sporting a Dropkick tour shirt tucked into ridiculously high-waisted beige shorts.
She looked like she was having a good time, but was not one of the seemingly hundreds of ladies that went up on stage during "Kiss Me, I'm S---faced" — the last song of the main set.
Other songs played include "The Fighting 69th," "Citizen CIA," "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya," "Bastards on Parade," "Fields of Athenry," and "The Dirty Glass."
After an hour and fifteen minutes, they came back for a 10-minute encore that included, of course, "I'm Shipping Up to Boston," the song that blew up with the release of "The Departed."
At this point, the big banner behind the band has the Irish pirate skull logo, and the gentlemen in the crowd got a turn on stage for "Skinhead on the MTBA."
The show clocked in under 90 minutes, but they used the time well and all anyone needed to enjoy it was the slightest interest in rock music. And seriously — an Irish pirate vibe. Well done, mateys.
Check out upcoming big shows and this week's best picks.Read a review of the Dropkick Murphys' latest, "The Meanest of Times."