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Dropkick
Murphys was formed in 1996 in Boston, MA. The band was originally
just a bunch of friends looking to play music for fun. They started
playing in the basement of a friend's barbershop and their goal
was to blend the musical influences they had grown up with (Punk
Rock, Irish Folk, Rock, and Hardcore) into one loud, raucus, chaotic,
and often out of tune mix that we could call our own.
Portal: What is the real meaning of “Dropkick Murphys”? Matt: Dropkick Murphy was a guy from the Boston area who either played American Football or was a wrestler. His specialty move was the "dropkick", hence his name. Sometime during the 1930s, '40s, or '50s, he opened a primitive detox clinic for drunk people in Boston. Apparently, it was a very rough-and-tumble place where people would sometimes die due to primitive treatment of delirium tremors--sometimes treated with horse tranquilizers!!!! So the clinic, Dropkick Murphys, became the stuff of local legend; with grandfathers warning kids with, "Don't start drinking, or you'll end up in Dropkick Murphys, too!". And with a history like that, we thought the name was a perfect fit for a bunch of guys from this area. |
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Portal:
The band was formed in 1996 and now with less than 7 years you
have been able to release more than 5 albuns in such short period
of time. How was it possible?
Matt: Well, it's really only 3 normal full-length LPs(Do or Die, Gang's All Here, and Sing Loud...) plus the one we're working on now, then a live double lp and a collection of stuff from before our LPs(early singles and live stuff). It's really not as many songs as you might think. Plus, this is now our full-time job, so writing songs is kind of what we do! When you're on the road all the time, sometimes songs just pop into your head. Portal: You have also many participations in compilations and split CDs. Do you consider these compilations/splits important for a beginning band as well as for a established band? Matt: Well, they're definitely more important for a beginning band. Two smaller bands can sometimes get the record out to more people than just one band; and a smaller band coupled with a more successful band has a better chance of being noticed than on their own. As far as established bands doing splits, it's more of a friendship sort of thing---not so much for exposure as just to be on the same record/cd. |
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Portal:
What is really the return of punk rock for you? Is there a
return?
Matt: I think in the mid-'90s, there was a resurgence in Punk Rock, Street Punk, Oi!, and real Hardcore in the US and Europe. Boston saw a big part of that with bands like the Ducky Boys, the Unseen, the Showcase Showdown, the Trouble, All Systems Stop, etc. That seemed to be a big return of Punk, all following qeue from the Swingin' Utters, who I think re-started things with their "Streets of San Francisco" LP and earlier stuff. Nowadays nobody's calling themselves "Punk Rock" or "Oi!", etc....it's all " "Rock'n'Roll. Things have died down a bit from the resurgence of all things punk in the US, and now fashion magazines, MTV v.jays, and pop stars are playing dress up with punk gear, albeit 5 or six years too late. The media's made a joke out of everything else, so they may as well ruin Punk, too. |
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Portal:
Here in Brazil we face such problem. Punks and skins don’t get
together for gigs and when they meet there are always some fights.
What do you think bands playing for both audiences should do to
convince them to unite? Do you have any message for punks and
skins down here?
Matt: Well, it's not up to us to come down and clear things up. The kids in the scene should police and take care of themselves. Our policy is this: Everybody is welcome at a Dropkicks gig; but upon entering, leave your politics and weapons at the door...We're here to have a good time and sing some songs, and we hope you're there for the same. There are plenty of other people to fight out there, so come to our gigs to enjoy yourselves. We've seen and been in plenty of fights, so we won't be impressed or happy to have to stop and break one up at a gig! |
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Portal:
DKM was chosen by the Sex Pistols to support their Jubilee Reunion
Show last July in London. How was that and what the Pistols mean
to DKM?
Matt: We were surprised and happy to do it. People say things that the Pistols are in it for the money, etc...Well they are, and they make no bones about it!! I was apprehensive about meeting and playing with them from the things I've heard in the past, but they were really nice guys and they played very well. They even invited us to a private party after the gig with their families and friends. Obviously, the Sex Pistols are and were a big influence on the band and members' playing, etc., and it was an honor to play with them. |
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Portal:
What bands would you like to tour with?
Matt: Tommy and the Terrors(again), the Unseen(again), Cock Sparrer, the Reducers SF, Super Yob, The Spitzz, Iron Maiden, the Crack, Troopers, the Boils, Slapshot, Blood for Blood(again), Rose Tattoo, AC/DC, Discipline, Skint, ah, this list could go on and on! Portal: Tell us about this new album being released just now, "LIVE ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY FROM BOSTON, MA". How was it concepted and how was this experience? Matt: Well, we did three gigs in a row on the weekend of March 15, 16, and 17th, and took the best versions of songs from the three. We've been wanting to do a live album for some time, but somehow capture how the crowd is at our gigs. And I think we captured the sweat, beer, and flying bodies appropriately on record/cd. It was very stressful to know we were being recorded and that any screw up was going to be heard forever! All in good fun it was, though; all in good fun. |
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Portal:
Any special message for fans and people in Brazil?
by Marcio
Faveri |
