Take equal parts punk rock and working class values, add a splash of traditional Irish folklore and the resulting musical blend describes the Boston-based Dropkick Murphys.
On Feb. 2, the band returns to the road for a tour that begins in Buffalo and lands in Australia by March.
Since 1996, the Dropkick Murphys have gained worldwide recognition for their eclectic music.
"It started as a group of friends who liked to play music and it turned into something much more serious," lead singer Al Barr said in a phone interview Wednesday.
Since its inception, the band has spent anywhere from seven to 11 months of the year on tour, helping to sell hundreds of thousands of copies of their studio work.
Barr spoke about the challenges that accompany playing shows overseas.
"We are Europhobic. In certain parts it's really tough because their English isn't too good, and they don't realize that what they are saying is rude," he said.
He continued with a nonspecific accent, "two and one half hours is not long enough to play. I don't know if I like the new album. Can you give me a free t-shirt?"
Part of the international appeal is a result of the influence of traditional Irish music in the band's sound.
Throughout the band's work, there are elements of Irish folk music such as bagpipes, mandolin, story-like lyrics and choruses that beg for sing-along. Each year the band's St. Patrick's Day celebration has grown, now including multiple sellout shows throughout March.
However, Barr explained that they are not solely an Irish punk band. This begins with Barr himself.
"Everyone in the band except for me is Irish and of course that becomes an influence. They grew up listening to what their parents listened to and I mean no one wants to admit that, but it goes in one way or another," he said.
"The Irish music makes you feel that feeling of kinship, buts it's not just for Irish people," he said. "There is a universality about it that can be applied to everyone."
The Dropkick Murphys name comes from a fabled Boston wrestler or football player - even Barr doesn't know exactly which type of athlete - who would tie street alcoholics to a bed in the attempt to straighten their lives.
Since its beginnings, the band has established a considerable fan base without the aid of mainstream radio. They maintain the values of punk music that were set in place long before the days of Blink 182 or New Found Glory.
Barr said he isn't interested in the semantics of what is and isn't punk, territory fought for by nouveau artists like A Simple Plan and Good Charlotte.
"It doesn't bother me. I mean this is music it isn't a gang war," he said. "People decide what they are going to listen to. What makes me angry is when the machine that never accepted the music now tells me what it is and 'redefines' it for me."
Barr said the Murphys do not necessarily find accomplishment in the size of the venue that they play, despite playing to thousands.
Instead, Barr described how it is much more rewarding to share the stage with acts that were major influences to them.
"It's such an honor to play with a band like Stiff Little Fingers," he said. "They were one of the bands that really influenced my early years. You can hear them in my music."
Stiff Little Fingers joins the tour in Pittsburgh. On Feb. 2, at The Sphere, The Dropkick Murphy's will be joined by The Unseen and The Kings Of Nuthin'.
Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster by calling (716) 852-5000 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
