Every Saint Patrick's Day weekend, the Dropkick Murphys return to Boston to play a few shows for their biggest fans. The collection of live footage and interviews were collected over four days in which the Celtic-rock band performed five shows for the Boston crowd. The film opens with a quote from the venue's owner who says, “This venue, I’m going to go on the record and say that I think the House of Blues Boston is never put to better use than when the Dropkick Murphys come through once a year for their hometown stand… I just think this venue comes alive when this band plays here.” It is hard to disagree with the man as the crowd’s roar fills the theater when the band walks onto the stage.
The band opens the show with “The Boys are Back,” a single from their latest album, Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013). As the blasting of the bagpipes and Al Barr's raspy vocals fill the space, so does the rowdy enthusiasm of the fans. A mosh pit takes its place in the center and is surrounded by hundreds of people trying to push their way to the front. The older fans know that a close spot to the stage will ensure them some stage time of their own during the band's final songs of the night.
The live concert footage and interviews are tightly interwoven in the video. After the opening song, the video switches to an intimate interview with Murphys bassist Ken Casey who discusses the band’s humble beginnings. Casey shares in his first three years of playing with Dropkick Murphys that he did not even know which notes were where on his bass. He had to make sure the crew always kept the lights on stage so he could read his notes written on the back of his bass neck on a piece of tape. Throughout the video all the band members emphasize how they never expected to be big, landing songs in blockbuster films such as The Departed and used as an anthem for the MLB’s Boston Red Sox. It is clear their fans do not doubt their talent; shouting the lyrics back to the musicians every song -- the band and the fans equally enjoying every moment of the show.
The footage is dominated by the band’s thundering songs such as “The Warrior’s Code” and their hit “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” but occasionally the band surprises fans with a ballad like “Forever.” Dropkick Murphys leave the fans wanting more after their cover of Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Takin’ Care of Business” and shortly return to give the fans exactly what they want. Inviting as many girls who can fit on the stage, the bands bursts into “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced.” The girls dance on stage and sing along to the band’s drunken ballad. Soon after, the men join the girls as the Murphys play their final song of the night, “Skinhead on the MBA.” The stage manages to stand despite the dozens of dancing fans sharing the stage with the band. A great way to end a fantastic performance. The Dropkick Murphys are certainly not everyone's cup of tea with the blaring bagpipes and rowdy fans, but no one can deny that they put on an amazing show.
For more from the Dropkick Murphys visit their official website.
Source: WGBH Music
