For all my disdain for the whole “Celtic punk” thing, there was a time when I was really into Dropkick Murphys’ Do or Die record. It was fun and full of energy. I’d say that they, along with Real McKenzies, were the launching point that many bands copied to varying degrees of success. I soon became bored with the subgenre as a whole. Even Dropkick Murphys didn’t do it for me anymore. Well, here I am listening to Street Dogs for the first time and I’m thinking that it might have been the vocalist change that turned me off of DM. Lead Dog (and former Murphy) Mike McColgan has recaptured that feeling I got the first time I heard Do or Die with a great, rockin’ punk record. The bagpipes and whistles and such are still there, but far from the focus. I’m as shocked as anyone at how much I like this... Or it could be the booze talking.
–ty (Hellcat)