Flogging Molly

Why I’ve never listened to Flogging Molly before is beyond me. Indeed I knew of them, in fact I know and love a fair proportion of their label mates, but I’ve never got round to listening to the band in question. I blame...well I don’t know who to blame. Someone’s to blame though. So, as I settle myself down, laptop on lap and headphones on head, it’s a sort of strange fate that the first time I will hear this glorious band will be by mulling of a live CD. Not the best way to familiarise yourself with a new artist many of you will probably think, but I don’t think there could have been a better way to be baptised in the way of the Molly than by hearing them live.

Indeed, 'Live at the Greek Theatre’ is an energetic blitz through 22 beautifully crafted songs that could turn even the most musically closed-minded folk into beer drenched, denim clad punk rockers – it’ll tire you out just listening to it. Don’t be deceived by thinking this is the kind of angsty, strung together type of punk, because even though these qualities are very much alive through Flogging Molly’s music, the band have managed to combine it with heart and soul that you don’t seem to get with many bands that attempt to create this type of music. The songs are meaningful and strangely beautiful, the lyrics touching on subjects like death, drink and Ireland’s history and politics, and while the lyrics can at times be bleak, staying close to reality has done nothing but give the fans a reason to connect with the band.

I was fairly impressed to see how diverse the band can be. This isn’t a matter of meat and potatoes punk, with your usual guitar/drum/bass/vocal set up, but there’s a wide range of instruments that really do set Flogging Molly apart from others in their genre. There are banjos, pipes and even a little bit of concertina playing here and there, and all in all it goes a long way from your average day at the office music, but confidently strolls into the 'something special’ bracket – the bracket reserved for the musicians who dare to be individual.

The band put on a stellar live performance – it’s not often that you see a band going to the lengths of playing a whopping 22 songs without a break, and it doesn’t once get boring. Not once is there a hint that the band are becoming tired or that they’ve had enough, and it goes from being merely a 'gig’ to being a 'once in a lifetime event’ as the songs are played to perfection. The set is diverse enough to please all fans, playing songs like 'Every Dog Has Its Day’ from their first album, all the way to '(No More) Paddy’s Lament’ from their latest attempt – the band are out to make everyone happy, and from the sounds of things, that they do. The band encourages crowd interaction throughout, and when the fans aren’t screaming, cheering and clapping, they’re singing every word along with front man David King who leads them on like the pied piper of punk.

So, 22 songs later and I’m left feeling dumbstruck, and actually pretty angry at myself. Looking back at a couple of festival line ups I’ve been to recently reveals I’ve had the chance to see Flogging Molly myself – silly, silly me. This is a beauty of a live album, the energy is flowing from the off and the band plays every song to perfection - the crowd lapping it up from the word go. It doesn’t really matter if you’re a fan of the band already, the band are so passionate about what they do that you’ll be won over within the first song. Now all I’ve got to do is go see them live for myself to get rid of this horrible feeling of jealousy created by those folk who attended this outstanding show.

'Live at the Greek Theatre’ will hit stores on March 2nd, and alongside two audio CD’s and a DVD of their performance, the band have been nice enough to include backstage bonus features and interviews. Now, if that wasn’t a bargain I don’t know what is – go get pre-ordering.