Flogging Molly, The Casualties & Avoid One Thing

I see shows all of the time and it's not too often that I get really excited about them anymore, but when I heard that Flogging Molly was coming back, this time as a headliner, I was genuinely anxious - for months. And just recently, when I learned who else was on the bill, I could barely wait. I'd never seen the Casualties, and it's a shock to see Avoid One Thing on the road so shortly after the loss of their longtime drummer Dave Karcich in early April.
I showed up a just as Avoid One Thing was starting, and as much as I wanted to see Flogging Molly, I was dying to see these guys too. As a new band, there are always a lot of hoops to jump through, but the death of a bandmate would decimate most up and coming groups. To be touring already shows an amazing amount of integrity and heart. It's just a shame that more of the folks in attendance weren't familiar with their material. They play a brand of punk influenced by most schools of the genre, but not dominated by any one subculture. I suppose the younger punks were taken back by the lack of stereotypical punk garb, and therefore didn't give these Boston veterans and obvious contemporaries of bands like Gang Green, The Mighty Bosstones and Springheeled Jack the respect they deserve. They played most of their self-titled debut album and finally began to get a crowd response at the end of their set. I can only hope the next time we see them they get the wild applause they deserve.
The Casualties from NYC took the stage next, and they were obviously the draw for most of the young punks in attendance. I like the young punks, but it seems many of those at this particular event were under the impression that they invented this shit. Granted, I traded in my mowhawk for pomade years ago, but to be treated like an outsider at the kind of show I've spent the last 13 years at truly sucks. I loved the band's set, but felt so old that my only reprieve was when I noticed a guy at least 10 years my senior singing along to the cover of the Stiff Little Fingers' "Suspect Device," which, by the way, was fucking great. I've never paid a whole lot of attention to The Casualties, and now I know I've been a fool. I must admit however, that as their set drew to a close I was happy, as I'd been waiting far too long for the return of Flogging Molly.
I don't understand why this show didn't sell out, how could anyone miss this? If you're not a fan of Flogging Molly and you call yourself a fan of punk rock, you must be soulless. Their mix of traditional Irish music and punk rock 'n' roll is nothing less than genius (think The Pogues with a millennial attitude and a mohawk) and I've been a huge fan since the first time I heard them. From the moment they took The Brick stage the whole place came alive. In fact, judging by the crowd's fervent response, you could hardly tell there wasn't any booze in the joint - everyone seemed drunk on music. The floor bounced to the Celtic rhythms as young and old took to the floor. There was Irish dancing and even a pit; though it's my personal opinion that slamming or moshing is completely blasphemous - not to mention dangerous - at a regular FM show, because anyone involved in such activity could (and should) have Guinness pints rained down upon their domes. Flogging Molly, led by the strong presence of frontman Dave King, played songs from all three albums, including my favorites "If I Ever Leave this World Alive", "Selfish Man," and the Tom Jones classic "Delilah," which featured a long sing-a-long in the middle that kept everyone involved.
- Jim Preston
- Photo By Alyssa Starkey

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