Dropkick Murphys brought the St. Patrick's Day Tour to Marathon Music Works in Nashville Tennessee on February 29, 2024.
The Dublin-based quartet, The Scratch, kicked off the show. Their music is a uniquely headbanging mix of metal with a tasteful Irish twist that will have you cheering for more.
The Scratch released their first EP in 2018 titled "Old Songs". The band blends traditional Irish music with acoustic metal for a fascinating listening experience. Their biggest year was in 2020 when they played some of Europe's largest festivals and blew up overnight. Unfortunately, Covid killed festival season but didn't kill the band's grit! The Scratch released their debut album "Couldn't Give A Rat's" to soaring reviews!
The Scratch is a band that you MUST see live. Their sound alone makes for a memorable and heart-thumping show. The band's chemistry is tangible when they perform. Their energetic sound just makes you want to groove right along with them! A part of their unique sound is the Cajon drum, a square drum originating from Peru. I mean it when I say you can feel their music!
The Scratch is:
Conor Dockery (guitar, backing vocals)
Cathal McKenna (bass/backing vocals)
Daniel Lang (cajón, percussion, lead vocals)
Jordan O'Leary (guitar, lead vocals)
Pennywise was next on the bill. Hailing from Hermosa Beach, California in 1988, this party of punks did not come to play! Pennywise has always been a bucket list band for me. I had their debut album on CD that I bought from a yard sale when I was a kid. I had to hide it amongst my Katy Perry CDs because of the "choice language". LOL
Pennywise has the perfect setlist, a mix of new and old, originals and covers. The perfect mix. The band covered Fight for Your Right by the Beastie Boys and Stand By Me by Ben E. King. Pennywise has the perfect amount of punch for a Beastie Boys cover. Pennywise's fanbase ranged in ages, which truly warmed my heart. Young and old singing about hating authority.
I must say, Bro Hymn is AMAZING live. It's truly something when you can physically feel the people around you singing along with the band. Members of The Scratch joined in for Bro Hymn and launched themselves into the crowd to crowdsurf.
Pennywise is:
Jim Lindberg (vocals)
Fletcher Dragge (guitar)
Byron McMackin (drums)
Randy Bradbury (bass)
Unfortunately around this point, my camera took its last breath and had a mechanical failure. Thankfully, my friend passed me one of her cameras to help finish out the show. Shout out to Kim! You rule!
The final act... THE DROPKICK MURPHYS. Formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996, this Celtic punk band has made quite a name for themselves. With hit songs like "Shipping up to Boston", "Rose Tattoo", and "Tessie." The Dropkick Murphys are been quite a force to be reckoned with
I went into this show, not knowing what to expect. Growing up, I heard Rose Tattoo A LOT. I had no idea they were a punk band until the first song began. Let's just say I had my face melted off. LOL
Lead singer Ken Casey made a point to check in on the little ones in the crowd. He thanked the crowd for not crowd-surfing. "These kids are the future. Thank you for being mindful and keeping them safe." You can tell when an artist loves their fanbase. Casey is no exception.
The band played a hefty 24-song-long setlist. I've never seen a crowd go so insane over a song in my life than when the opening notes of "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" began. The band also played a cover of AC/DC's TNT.
The Dropkick Murphys are extremely energetic on stage. The entire band is like a horde of bouncy balls. They are incredibly interesting to watch onstage. The band closed out the night with "Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced". The crowd wrapped arms around each other and swayed their way through the song. Dropkick Murphy fans really are one big happy family.
After the show, Casey made his way to the front of the stage and greeted all the children at the barricade. It was such a sweet little moment to watch him say hello and listen to the little ones. That's the way we should treat the next generation of little punks. With love and respect.
Dropkick Murphys are:
Ken Casey (lead vocals)
Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals)
Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals)
Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, and vocals)
James Lynch (guitars and vocals)
Kevin Rheault (bass)
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