Name one thing that’s more representative of St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Massachusetts than Dropkick Murphys. While you’re thinking about that, we will just let the beat drop on “Shipping Up to Boston .”
You might know all the lyrics of their hometown pride anthems, or you could say that you hardly know ‘em. Either way, you may not know these fun facts about the band that started playing in the 90s in Quincy.
Dropkick Murphys is in a musical genre of their own, combining punk era rock music with traditional Irish tunes. The band formed on a whim in 1996 in the basement of a barbershop, playing their first gig on a dare.
Within a year, the group was opening for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones on a six-week US tour, now they are wrapping up headlining their own world tour.
The band earned global recognition long before their song was featured in the movie “The Departed.” The collection includes 13 albums over their musical career with no signs of slowing down + a new song releasing just this week — “We Shall Overcome .”
The tradition of the band playing their St. Patricks Day show began in 2001, after a brief period when they were banned from playing on the Irish holiday by former Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.
Dropkick Murphys’ music always takes them back home with plenty of hits that featureBoston either in the name of the song or in the lyrics, including “Queen of Suffolk County ”, “The State of Massachusetts ”, “Pipebomb on Lansdowne ” + “For Boston ”.
The band will take the stage this weekend at the House of Blues and headline at the newest venue Roadrunner to end their St. Patrick’s Day world tour — psst, tickets are still available . This will be the first time in two years that they have played to a crowd on e St. Patrick’s Day.
If you’re not able to attend in person, here is a link to check out the free livestream.