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The month of March and a few weeks from St. Patrick’s Day brings the seven member Irish/Celtic influenced band, Flogging Molly, to the stage of First Avenue in Minneapolis. This is the 21st stop in a 30 night tour for Flogging Molly with their special guests, The Drowning Men and Moneybrother. A sea of young punk rockers to middle aged enthusiasts, most dawning Celtic and Irish influenced shirts, flooded the audience for the sold out show.
Oceanside California’s “The Drowning Men” opened the show around 7:30. The band’s music is not easily described, as they played alternative chill rock songs, more on the mellow sides of things. Not really what the crowd was expecting at a Flogging Molly show, but the band was very talented. Mellow or not they were successful at warming up the crowd.
Anders Wendin, of the punk band “Monster” brought his solo band “Moneybrother” to the stage to get the crowd ready for Flogging Molly. A blend of various music styles such as soul, reggae, punk rock n roll, are to name a few of their better qualities, but the heavy influence of The Clash and Bruce Springsteen on Anders and his band was quickly evident. It didn’t take long for the crowd to take on the energy of the band.
In anticipation of Flogging Molly taking the stage, the crowd started chanting “Flogging Molly” and everyone’s favorite “ OLAY, OLAY, OLAY ,OLAY.” The moment finally came that everyone was waiting for: the members of Flogging Molly walked on to the stage, to the roar of the excited crowd. The energy between the fans and the band started immediately and continued throughout the evening.
Mixing traditional instruments (mandolin, banjo, Violin, etc) with the sound and attitude of punk rock give the group their unique Irish influenced sound. In the middle of one set, the band slowed it down and did a few acoustic songs. Bridget Regan (violin/vocals) and husband Dave King (lead vocals/guitar) sounded really great together, especially during this acoustic set. Bridget went from playing her usual instrument, the violin, to playing the tin whistle on a few of the acoustic numbers. Even on some of the bands slower songs, fans were still moving in the pit. Throughout the night the band played their singles and fan favorites. To name a few of the favorites; “What’s Left Of The Flag,” "Salty Dog,” “Devils Dance Floor,” “ The Likes Of You Again,” Drunken Lullabies” and ending the show with Seven Deadly Sins.”
