The band put out a series of EPs and was signed by Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong's label Hellcat Records. In 1998, the Dropkick Murphys released their first full-length album, Do Or Die. Lead singer Mike McColgan, who left the band later that year, was replaced by The Bruisers lead singer Al Barr. In 1999, they released their followup album, The Gang's All Here. In 2001, they released their third album, Sing Loud, Sing Proud. The album showcased the group’s developing sound and included collaborations with The Pogues' frontman Shane MacGowan and Cock Sparrer's Colin McFaull. It also marked a significant lineup change for the band. Original guitarist Rick Barton was replaced by former The Ducky Boys' guitarists James Lynch and Marc Orrell; instruments were added and played by new members Ryan Foltz and Spicy McHaggis.
The Dropkick Murphys' next album, Blackout, was released in 2003. The new album included the radio hit "Walk Away," as well as the songs "Fields of Athenry" and "The Dirty Glass." The latter features female vocals by Stephanie Dougherty (Deadly Sins). Around the same time, the band released a re-working of the Boston Red Sox anthem "Tessie," which then became the official song of the team's 2004 World Series run. "Tessie" was also used throughout the major motion picture Fever Pitch and was included on the EA Sports MVP Baseball 2005 soundtrack. In 2005, the Dropkick Murphys released Singles Collection Volume 2, featuring covers, B-sides, and other material that didn't make it onto previous albums, and the band contributed a recording of "We Got the Power" to Rock Against Bush, Volume 2.
The Dropkick Murphys' fifth studio album, The Warrior's Code, was released on June 21, 2005. It features the singles "Sunshine Highway," "The Walking Dead," "The Warrior's Code," as well as the bonus track "Tessie." It also includes a song that was inspired by a Woody Guthrie poem, which the group named "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." The song was featured in Martin Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed. Scorsese mentioned the band in an interview after winning his first Oscar.
The Dropkick Murphys released their sixth studio album, The Meanest of Times, on September 18, 2007. It was their first release not on the Hellcat Records label but instead on the label Born & Bred.
In early 2008, Marc Orrell left the band. Thereupon Tim Brennan, who had been playing mandolin, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, and guitar for the band since 2004, replaced Orrell on lead guitar. Tim's previous musical duties were taken over by Jeff DaRosa, former member of The Vigilante and Pinkerton Thugs.
In September of 2022, This Machine Still Kills Fascists was released. It's an acoustic album with unused words and lyrics written by Woody Guthrie, selected and given to the band to use by Guthrie's daughter Nora. It did not feature Al Barr, who was on hiatus for family matters.
The band will release their twelfth album, Okemah Rising, on May 12, 2023. The album was recorded during the same sessions for This Machine Still Kills Facists and like that album will feature songs using the unused lyrics by Woody Guthrie. The album was preceded by the singles "I Know How it Feels" on March 1, 2023, and "Gotta Get to Peekskill" (featuring Violent Femmes) on March 30, 2023.
Studio albums
Do or Die (1998)
The Gang's All Here (1999)
Sing Loud, Sing Proud! (2001)
Blackout (2003)
The Warrior's Code (2005)
The Meanest of Times (2007)
Going Out in Style (2011)
Signed and Sealed in Blood (2013)
11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory (2017)
Turn Up That Dial (2021)
This Machine Still Kills Fascists (2022)
Okemah Rising (2023)
Boston Asphalt
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Came these ever-proud world-renowned rowdy, roving men
With a firmness and a purpose that so many did dismiss
Sailed these huddled human ballasts on their stinking coffin ships
From the prison of their lonely hearts they labored long and hard
Working 18+hour days for the B.A.C.
Intelligent,
But made of modest means With an independent spirit, so full of hopes and dreams
Opportunity denied them in a doomed and starving land
Came these openhearted kindly spirits of a truly threatened man
The lyrics of Dropkick Murphys's song Boston Asphalt talk about the Irish immigrants who came to America in the 19th century to escape the Great Famine in Ireland, also known as the "Black Forties". These immigrants were proud and hardworking, but faced discrimination and were often dismissed by the established society. They came to America in cramped and unsanitary conditions on ships that were called "coffin ships". These immigrants worked hard for the Boston Asphalt Company (B.A.C) for over 18 hours a day.
The lyrics also highlight the resilience and determination of these immigrants, who were intelligent and respectable despite their modest means. They had an independent spirit and were full of hopes and dreams, but their opportunity was denied in their homeland due to the famine. These immigrants were openhearted and kind, yet they were truly threatened by their situation.
The song praises the spirit of these Irish immigrants, who came to America with nothing but their hard work and determination, and went on to build a new life for themselves and their families, eventually becoming an integral part of American society.
Line by Line Meaning
Searching for the best break the black forties could afford them
They were looking for a new beginning and a brighter future to escape the hardships of the 1840s.
Came these ever-proud world-renowned rowdy, roving men
These men were proud of their heritage and reputation, even as they traveled far from home and became known as rowdy wanderers.
With a firmness and a purpose that so many did dismiss
Despite facing skepticism and obstacles, they held firm to their determination and goals.
Sailed these huddled human ballasts on their stinking coffin ships
They endured inhumane conditions as they traveled across the ocean in overcrowded and unsanitary ships.
From the prison of their lonely hearts they labored long and hard
Even though they carried emotional burdens, they worked tirelessly and persevered through hardships.
Working 18+hour days for the B.A.C.
They worked exhausting hours for the Boston Asphalt Company.
Intelligent, Respectable, But made of modest means
They were smart and honorable people, but they didn't come from wealthy backgrounds.
With an independent spirit, so full of hopes and dreams
They had a strong sense of individuality and ambitious aspirations.
Opportunity denied them in a doomed and starving land
They faced limited opportunities and dire circumstances in their homeland.
Came these openhearted kindly spirits of a truly threatened man
Despite their trials and tribulations, they were still warm-hearted individuals who had experienced significant hardship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Alex The Tiger
Underrated Murphys song