The Flogging Molly Green 17 Tour.

I'm making the four hour trip to Houston to see the show tomorrow. I saw them last year in New Orleans and it was freaking amazing. It was almost a spiritual experience. I even got to hang out with Dennis Casey, Dave King and Bridget Regan at Ryan's pub after the show. It was bar none one of the coolest freaking experiences of my life.

Anyone seen the tour this year? How's Frank Turner live? Anyone gonna be at the show in Houston tomorrow? Hit me up and maybe we can grab a pint or something before or after the show. We're going to the HOB restaurant so we can jump the line and hopefully get right against the stage like we were last year. I got a heckler to leave Dennis Casey alone while he was playing and that's how I ended up getting invited to the pub.

Here's a couple of pics that Dennis had someone take of him wrestling me. He was doing a blog for Alt Press at the time, and ended up posting these.





Hopefully I'll get to hang with em again if they stick around after the show.

So, any experiences from this year that anyone wants to share?

Okay. Wow.

I went into this thing hoping that we'd get to hang with the band again after the show, and the night evolved into something more.

First band up: The Architects. A solid rock/punk group. High energy, great fan interaction.

Second up: Frank Turner. This guy has got it. He's a great songwriter, great performer and really set the stage for FM.

Halfway through Frank's set, I see Dennis Casey offstage. I wave at him, figuring he doesn't remember me at all. Dude was sauced last time I saw him. He smiles and waves, then the show continues. Right as Frank was finishing up, Dennis appears out of nowhere and asks me and my two friends if we want to hang out after. We said yes of course and he gives us two wristbands to gain access to the afterparty in the House of Blues Foundation Room.

Holy Crap.

The show kicked ten different kinds of ass, I had people jumping on my back all night because I was right up front, and I'm freaking huge.

After the show, we hung out at the afterparty and I got to talk to Dave, Bridget, Nathan and of course Dennis. Dennis was plastered, but not only did he remember me, he remembered what hat I was wearing when I was in New Orleans. He kept repeating, "I love you guys" while trying to elbow drop me, hit me with several plush couch cushions and tangoing with several ladies.

I took some pictures and I'll post them tomorrow, but if you get a chance to see these guys, by all means go. It's well worth the twenty or thirty bucks the ticket will cost you.

Right now, I'm freaking exhausted. Time for bed.

So here's one of the pictures from last night.



Dennis Casey was drunker than shit. He was AWESOME. He's also really light. That's me on the left and my hetero life mate Jeff on the other side. Jeff's girlfriend Summer is in the front.

My only complaint about last night was that Dave and Bridget went to a private room and didn't socialize a whole lot. One of the highlights of my year last year was talking to them after the show in New Orleans. No matter. We still got some good shots and had some fun. I also got to hang with Dennis, who is one of the coolest motherfuckers on the planet Earth. So check out that album if you wanna, there's some pretty good stuff in there. A lot of gratuitous self photos by Jeff and Summer, but whatever.

This pit at the concert this year was worse than the one last year. I'm freaking sore from everyone climbing and hanging on me. It was totally worth it though.

Have you seen them yet? If not, go. It's one hundred percent worth it.

Dave King was greatly influenced by the music of Shane Mcgowan of the Pogues. He has acknowledged that before. I think his songwriting is just as good as Mcgowan's, if not better. He also draws heavy influences from The Dubliners, The Clash and Johnny Cash. Dave's music comes right from his soul, and even if you can't understand all the words at first because of his thick brogue, the music stays with you as well as the spirit of the whole band. Their live shows are akin to going to church. Not boring church though. If you don't leave their show feeling good, then you may not have a pulse.

Are you familiar with their work at all? If need be, I'd be happy to point you in the right direction as far as some of their best songs. It might help you make your decision as to whether or not you want to see them.

Me, I'd punch a baby to be able to see them live on St. Patty's day. Well, not really, but almost.

I'm a Murphys fan, but I haven't delved very deep into their albums. I only have "The Meanest of Times", and I've downloaded a couple of other songs through itunes. I'm not sure of Flatfoot 56, but I'll definitely look em up. I love the Pogues as well, and I'm about to start exploring The Dubliners.

What are some good spots to start looking for more Murphys and Flatfoot 56? What, in your opinion are their best songs/albums?