Flogging Molly, Supersuckers & Throw Rag

Throw Rag began the evening with a heavy all-out rock 'n' roll assault. The self-proclaimed pioneers of "sailor rock," this sextet featured a traditional rock lineup - two guitars, bass, drums and vocals - and threw in a guy with a bugle to mix things up a bit. The resulting sound could have provided the perfect soundtrack for a delightful evening of pillaging. Throw Rag's songs were grimy, laden with dirty hooks, and were played with a devil-may-care attitude. Overall, not a bad way to kick off the night.
The sold-out crowd filtered back into the BMU Auditorium, after using the break between bands to fill up on booze at nearby bars, just in time to see the Supersuckers take the stage. The Seattle-based four-piece, in action and attitude, was like a living cartoon of a rock 'n' roll band. Brash and boastful in a black cowboy hat and sunglasses, frontman Eddie Spaghetti had plenty of flair and a decent enough voice given the nature of the music. The band played high-octane rock 'n' roll, peppered with bits of country and blues, with lyrics that glorified hard living and hard drinking. At one point, the Supersuckers played an extended jam, during which Eddie passed his bass around to the rest of the band, including drummer Dancing Eagle who thrashed his kit and the bass simultaneously with his drumsticks. Stunts and posturing aside, the Supersuckers simply played good songs. Highlights included the crunchy guitar bounce of "Pretty Fucked Up" and "Coattail Rider," which was dedicated to the evening's headliner.
After two strong opening performances, the large crowd was sufficiently primed for Flogging Molly, who took the stage after a long pause. Beginning with "The Likes of You Again," they tore through the majority of their catalogue with the unbridled, heartfelt intensity that has become their trademark. It was impossible not to get caught up in Flogging Molly's sincere blend of traditional Irish folk and modern punk, and the audience - grungy punks and pretty dorm kids alike - bounced, moshed and sang along in unison. The band fed off this energy, performing to the level of the crowd, especially bassist Nathen Maxwell, who turned in a fine performance as lead vocalist on "Cruel Mistress" and frontman Dave King, who cracked jokes at the expense of the audience, his bandmates, the venue and himself.
King, with his weathered face and craggy voice, may be the most unassuming frontman in rock music, but on Thursday night, his presence was domineering, leading band and crowd through a killer set. As an encore, King took the stage alone to sing "Grace of God Go I" a cappella, which riled the audience in much the same way as the band's heavier numbers, before the rest of the band returned for a rollicking version of "Sentimental Johnny."
Though the presence of alcohol was sorely missed, I thought Flogging Molly turned in their finest performance that I've seen. They left it all on the stage and demanded the same dedication from the members of their audience, who were more than happy to oblige.
- James Barone
- Photos by Alyssa Starkey

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