Flogging Molly is set to strum fiddles and blow eardrums this Friday at the Town Ballroom in downtown Buffalo.
The band hasn't had the opportunity to play in Buffalo for a few months, but when asked if the fans around here can compete with the energy brought by the band, lead vocalist Dave King replied, "Oh, God yes."
About seven months ago, the green beer-chugging rockers played here and sold out the venue. It was such a worthwhile performance - they obliged the crowd with an entire second show later that night.
Flogging Molly's new album, Float, is set to release on Tuesday, March 4. The band will be playing a combination of past hits and a few new songs from the upcoming CD. King said he never approved of a band just going out to put on a show strictly to promote a new album, so they will be mixing things up.
Fans can expect the culmination of the group's sound in Float. It was recorded strictly in West Meade, Ireland, at the Grouse Lodge studio.
The band decided to try a new recording strategy this time around. Rather than work on several tracks at once, the group focused on one song at a time.
Expect the tracks from Float to make the most polished and refined sound yet.
The success of a unique band such as Flogging Molly can be attributed to their lenient record label, Side One Dummy.
"It's been a great marriage for us," King said.
Both organizations found each other at the beginning of their careers, saw a perfect match, and have worked happily together ever since. The company practically allowed them free reign over the album, so their true sound, unfiltered by any corporate schemes, can get out.
Some people group Flogging Molly with the similar Irish-infused Dropkick Murphys. Though not too concerned with being compared to other bands, King believes Flogging Molly has a more acoustic and Irish-folk sound, while Dropkick relies more on the heavy punk-rock aspect.
"I don't really think about other bands when we're writing," King said.
However, the singer concluded that all Irish music is punk-rock.
"Punk-rock isn't about the size of your mohawk or your number of piercings, it's about kicking down doors," he said.
King traces his call to music back to his childhood in Ireland. Every Friday and Saturday, his father would bring back musicians from the pub to play a few sets at their house.
He fell in love with the Irish folk, but as he grew older he turned towards rock and roll with the help of his mother.
The vocalist reminisced about listening to "bands that took you away from the humdrum of life." Musicians such as David Bowie, T-Rex, and appropriately, the Irish rock sensation, Thin Lizzy, were King's favorites.
The Irish idol also believes music should be about raising awareness.
Flogging Molly is involved in several charity efforts, including Save Darfur, Democracy InAction, and GOAL USA. King stresses the need for involvement, and taking a step back from the comfortable life one leads to realize that there are countless people living with almost nothing.
"Give a little bit of love to people who haven't had the opportunity to be where we are," King said. "We all need each other."
He expressed regret towards America's condition, citing the current administration as one of the reasons he and his band mate Bridget Regan moved back to Ireland.
But whether you want politics or a pint, show up tonight at the Town Ballroom to kick it with Flogging Molly.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
