Dropkick Murphys, The Tossers, The Turbo AC's @ the Wellmont Theatre 7/28/11

I have a love/hate relationship with the Dropkick Murphys; I love what they’ve done, I hate what they’re doing. At the risk of sounding like part of the condescending “I like their old stuff” crowd…I like their old stuff. I accept an old favorite’s progressive change in sound and I love growing with bands as they themselves grow. However, the Murphys have not progressed of late; they have become somewhat of a cartoon. Somewhere after Sing Loud, Sing Proud, they just became goofy, silly, and not the honest, working class heroes I had grown to love so dearly.

Upon arrival at the Wellmont on Thursday night, I felt like I was at the Hoboken St. Patty’s Day celebration. Having not gotten the memo, and wearing my beloved Scandals shirt, I was greeted by people of all ages in kilts, Red Sox gear, shirts proclaiming how Irish one is and more shirts of the actual band than I have ever seen in my life. But it was an enthusiastic and excited crowd and that was plenty ok by me.

First up were the Turbo AC’s, a band I’d never heard of but cautiously optimistic to see. Sound wise they were decent enough, the drummer was a pleasure to watch, but I couldn’t get over the tawdry lyrics. By the time the lead singer was belting out “1-800-EAT-SHIT”, I was ready for them to just go away.

Next up were the incredible Tossers from Chicago. Having first seen the Tossers 8 years ago at Arlene’s Grocery, and many more times over the years, I knew exactly what to expect from the dynamic six piece, and they did not disappoint in the least. As they blasted through catalog classics like “Siobhan”, “No Loot No Booze No Fun”, “Altercations” and “Good Mornin’ Da’”, as well as throwing in the requisite cover of “Dirty Old Town”, one can’t help but realize what bands like Flogging Molly and the Murphys themselves wish they were or fancy themselves to be. It’s raw, it’s honest and it’s pure. It’s political and powerful with a sense of purpose. It’s Irish storytelling put to song at its finest.

And then came the Murphys. When the lights went out and the familiar sound of “The Foggy Dew” started playing over the PA, I found myself both nostalgic and encouraged. And then when the band started playing, I was taken back to earth, and even “The Fighting 69th” couldn’t get me back up. But then I miraculously did when the opening piano chords of “Curse of a Fallen Soul” started. By the time it exploded into chorus, I was completely on board, and it only escalated when it was immediately followed by “Get Up”. However, my love/hate conflict kicked in again when the Murphys went into “Fields of Athenry”. Now let me be perfectly clear; I LOVE “Fields of Athenry”. I just don’t love the way the Murphys do it. They took a beautiful, traditional Irish folk song and turned it into a damn caricature, and then followed it with the equally awful “Warriors Code”

My spirits were then lifted again with a powerful rendition of “Forever”, which has always been one of my favorites, only to be followed by a bland an uninspired version of another unnecessary cover, “The Irish Rover”. And then, the high point; “Face down in the gutter/won’t admit defeat…”, it was “Barroom Hero” time, easily the best Dropkick Murphys song in their catalog. “…don’t you take his booze away”, the song detonates into verse and I was instantly reminded why I loved this band. Still on a “Hero” high, I didn’t even absorb the closer, fan favorite “Shipping Up to Boston”.

And then it all went terribly awry. For the encore, the band invited all the females in the audience on stage for “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced”. Not only is this quite possibly the worst song ever recorded, but when a hundred drunk girls are obnoxiously singing and gyrating along, it becomes unbearable. I painfully stayed until the end of it and was so discouraged by this objectifying act worthy of a cover band that I felt it was time to leave. As I made the slow walk to the exit, I heard the beginning of another one of my favorites, “Skinhead on the MBTA”. But at that point, not even “Skinhead” could save me.

It was a night of highs and lows, joy and pain, nostalgia and disgust, but overall it was an enjoyable time. However, it did nothing to change my love/hate relationship with the band. And so it goes.

-Joseph Regal


www.dropkickmurphys.com

www.thetossers.com

www.turboacs.com