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The Dropkick Murphys are much more than just another punk band from Boston. They have become icons of Celtic punk and have created a unique blend of hard punk attitude and traditional Irish folklore. On Saturday, January 25, 2025, they will be playing at "The Hall" in Dübendorf.
The band was founded in 1996 in Quincy, Massachusetts by Ken Casey and some friends. Their origins literally lie in the basement of a Boston barbershop, where they tried out their first songs. Casey, who was still working as a construction worker at the time, had no idea about music.
But together with singer Mike McColgan, guitarist Rick Barton and drummer Jeff Erna, they quickly found their very own sound: an explosive mix of punk rock, Irish folk and hardcore.
The Dropkick Murphys owe their name to the former wrestler John "Dropkick" Murphy, who ran a rehab clinic in Massachusetts in the 1940s. The band came across this bizarre story and found the name perfect for their rebellious attitude.
After several line-up changes, including the signing of lead singer Al Barr, the Dropkick Murphys made their breakthrough in 2005 with the album "The Warrior's Code". The single "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" became a worldwide hit and the band's signature song thanks to its use in the film "The Departed". The video for "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" shows the band members at one of their legendary live performances - beer-drinking, heavyweight and dirty. It was precisely this authenticity and down-to-earth attitude that made the Dropkick Murphys heroes of the working class.
The Dropkick Murphys are deeply rooted in their hometown of Boston. Their breakthrough was closely linked to the Boston Red Sox when they covered the age-old baseball hit "Tessie" in 2004 and turned it into a kind of unofficial anthem for Red Sox fans.
In addition to their music, the Dropkick Murphys are also socially committed to their home town. In 2009, Ken Casey founded the Claddagh Foundation, which supports underprivileged population groups in Boston. Millions have already been raised through benefit concerts and fundraising campaigns.
Good news for all those who missed the bundles of energy from Boston at Greenfield - or want to experience them again: On Saturday, January 25, the Dropkick Murphys will return to Switzerland for their concert at "The Hall" in Dübendorf.