Flogging Molly

Flogging Molly
Flogging Molly in 2015
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles,California,U.S.
Genres	Celtic punk,folk punk
Years active	1994–present
Labels	SideOneDummy,Burning Heart,Vanguard,Borstal Beat,Rise
Members	Dave King Bridget Regan Dennis Casey Nathen Maxwell Matt Hensley Mike Alonso Spencer Swain
Website	floggingmolly.com

Flogging Mollyis an American seven-pieceCeltic punkbandformed in Los Angeles in 1994, led by Irish vocalistDave King,formerly of the hard rock bandFastway.They are signed to their ownrecord label,Borstal Beat Records.

History

Early years

Prior to forming Flogging Molly,Dublin-born Dave King was the lead singer for the heavy metal bandFastwayfeaturing guitarist"Fast" Eddie Clarkeof Motörhead in the early to mid1980s.He later fronted a hard rock band called Katmandu (1991), featuringMandy MeyerofKrokuson guitars. Afterward, King retained a record deal withEpic Recordsand began to work on a solo album, but began to reconsider his record deal when the label opposed his idea of bringing in traditional Irish instruments. King negotiated out of his record deal to go his own way musically soon after.

In 1993, King met guitaristTed Hutt,bassist Jeff Peters, drummer Paul Crowderandviolinplayer Bridget Regan and put together a rock band with aCeltic musicinfluence. They began to play a mix of Irish traditional and rock music. Putting King's poetic lyrics to rocking melodies, they played at a Los Angeles pub called Molly Malone's weekly, building a small but loyal following. Together, they wrote songs such as "Black Friday Rule" and "Selfish Man", which was the beginning of Flogging Molly's sound. Ted and Jeff then left Flogging Molly because an earlier band of theirs, Reacharound, received a record deal. King and Regan began to find new members and the current band was formed.

They continued a routine of playing every Monday night at Molly Malone's. They put out a live album,Alive Behind the Green Doorin 1997. In an interview withKerrang!magazine, King stated that the band's name comes from the bar (Molly Malone's) that faithfully supported the band from the very beginning, "We used to play there every Monday night and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so we called the band Flogging Molly." They were signed ontoSideOneDummy Recordsafter a show when the record company's owners attended a concert and noted their intensity.

Career

The band’s debut studio album,Swagger,arrived on March 7, 2000, their first of many withSideOneDummy.They joined the Vans Warped Tour for the first time that summer alongsideGreen Day,Weezer,andThe Mighty Mighty Bosstones(whom they continued touring alongside in the fall).

Drunken Lullabiesfollowed on March 19, 2002, and was certified gold by the RIAA in 2009.They returned to the Warped Tour in 2003 with a lineup that includedThe All-American RejectsandDropkick Murphys.

Within a Mile of Home,released on September 14, 2004, debuted at No. 20 on theBillboard 200.The acoustic/live CD/DVD combo,Whiskey on a Sunday,was released in 2006 and certified platinum two years later. It was followed by the 2007 online-only EP,Complete Control Sessions.

The group’s fourth studio album,Float,debuted at No. 4 on theBillboard 200in 2008 and produced two well-received singles: "Requiem for a Dying Song" (No. 35 on the Billboard Modern Rock charts)and the title track (No. 40).

March 2010'sLive at the Greek Theatrecaptured a career-spanning Los Angeles, California performance from the year before as a CD/DVD set. In 2011, Flogging Molly appeared in the season premiere ofAustin City Limits.

Dave King performing in 2011

2011'sSpeed of Darknesswas the band's first album issued through their own label, Borstal Beat Records.

Life Is Good,the band's first new album in six years, arrived in 2017. It is the only Flogging Molly album released viaVanguard RecordsandSpinefarm.They co-headlined a US tour withSocial Distortionin 2019.

The band live-streamed a St. Patrick's Day performance on March 17, 2021, from Whelan’s Irish Pub inDublin,Ireland. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales went toward Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Crew Fund.They co-headlined a tour withViolent Femmesthe same year.

Flogging Molly released their seventh studio album,Anthem,in 2022, their first withRise Records.They co-headlined a tour withThe Interruptersthe same year.

In November 2023, the band announced the inaugural Shamrock Rebellion Fest, scheduled for March 16, 2024, in Silverado, California, and March 17, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.The Road To Rebellion Tour precedes the fest, with support coming from Amigo The Devil.

Salty Dog Cruises (2015–present)

From March 13 to 16, 2015, Flogging Molly began hosting a yearly Caribbean cruise. The 2015 Salty Dog Cruise Cruisefeatured shows by the band and many others, over three days leaving fromMiamitoNassauandGreat Stirrup Cayon theNorwegian Sky.All bands performed two times on the stages throughout the ship or on the special stage set onNorwegian's private island of Great Stirrup Cay.

In 2016, from March 18 to 21, the second yearly cruise took the same itinerary on the same ship and hosted, among others,Rancid,Fishbone,Frank Turner,Street DogsandThe Tossers.

In 2017, theEnchantment of the Seashosted the third annual cruise that left on March 10 toCoco Cayand Nassau, until coming back to Miami on March 13. The guests invited by the band wereNOFX,DeVotchKa,Less Than Jake,The English Beat,The Skatalites,The Bouncing Souls,Dylan Walsheand many others.

On August 21, 2017, the band announced that the 2018 cruise would take place April 20–23, leaving fromMiami,sailing toKey Westand toGreat Stirrup Cay.Originally, the cruise was supposed to take place on theEnchantment of the Seasin 2017; however, the ship was changed, and theNorwegian Skyhas been announced. The line-up includesThe Offspring,Buzzcocks,The Vandals,Lagwagon,andMad Caddies,among others.

The Salty Dog Cruise 2023 ran November 8-13, sailing fromMiamitoHarvest Caye,Belize,andCosta Maya,Mexico.The line-up included Flogging Molly,Pennywise,Stiff Little Fingers,The Vandals,andGorilla Biscuits,among others, with a Port of Miami kickoff show featuringThe Interrupters.

In late November 2023, the band announced the next Salty Dog Cruise, set for February 17-22, 2025, sailing fromMiamitoGrand Cayman,and Ochos Rios,Jamaica.As of December 15, 2023, the 2025 cruise was sold out.

Musical style

Flogging Molly's music is influenced by various artists, such asThe Dubliners,The Pogues,Horslips,Johnny Cash,andThe Clash.The albumWithin a Mile of Home(2004) is dedicated to the memories of Cash and The Clash frontmanJoe Strummer.

Their music ranges from boisterous Celtic punk, like the pirate-themed "Salty Dog", "Cruel Mistress", and "Seven Deadly Sins", or the defiant "What's Left of the Flag", "Drunken Lullabies", and "Rebels of the Sacred Heart", to more somber songs like "Far Away Boys", "The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)", "Life in a Tenement Square", and "Float". Lyrics typically touch on subjects such as Ireland and its history, drinking, poverty, politics, love, and death and include several references to theCatholic Church."What's Left of the Flag" and "The Likes of You Again" were written as tributes to King's father, who died when King was a child.

Members

Current

• Dave King–lead vocals,acoustic guitar,bodhrán,banjo,spoons
• Bridget Regan –violin,tin whistle,backing and lead vocals
• Dennis Casey –guitar,vocals
• Matt Hensley –accordion,concertina
• Nathen Maxwell –bass guitar,vocals
• Spencer Swain –mandolin,banjo,guitar,vocals
• Mike Alonso –drums,percussion

Former

• John Donovan – guitar
• Tobe McCallum – mandolin
• Ted Hutt– guitar
• Jeff Peters – bass
• Paul Crowder – drums
• Gary Sullivan – drums
• George Schwindt – drums
• Bob Schmidt– mandolin/banjo, bouzouki, guitar, vocals

Discography

Main article:Flogging Molly discography

Studio albums

• Swagger(2000)
• Drunken Lullabies(2002)
• Within a Mile of Home(2004)
• Float(2008)
• Speed of Darkness(2011)
• Life Is Good(2017)
• Anthem(2022)

External links

• Official website
• Flogging Mollydiscography atMusicBrainz
• Interview with Dave King in the Irish Independent
• Interview with Bob Schmidt in 2007
• Burning Stars Interview with Flogging Molly – 2006
• Flogging Molly Music Videos-Interviews-Live Performanceat Roxwel