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)
Devil's Brigade
Dropkick Murphys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Still fighting on the corner, you can never go home
In this world of temptation, in this city of sin
There's nothing that can save you, but a strength from within
[Chorus]
Because they'll do it again, they've done it before,
The Devils Brigade
You're being led astray
The crew will not rest until your life's in the piss
Stop and think of you're future, the chances you'll miss
Looking back on a resume of corruption and crime
Cause you wasted your youth, taken down in your prime
[Chorus]
Dying to belong though it's tearing you apart
A bullet to the head and a knife to the heart
Are the tools of the trade in this cold life of crime
A smart, decent kid who has now lost his mind
The opening lines of Dropkick Murphys’ song “Devil’s Brigade” feel like a cinematic introduction to a gangster thriller movie. The verses paint a picture of a person who finds themselves stranded, unable to go back home, and constantly on the lookout for danger around every corner. The character being sung about appears to have a blatant disregard for societal norms, having allowed themselves to be swallowed up by temptation in a city pulsating with sin. The song implies that once you’re caught up with the devil’s brigade, there is no going back.
The chorus of “Devil’s Brigade” serves as a warning to listeners. It suggests that the titular group of people is not one to be messed with, having caused harm in the past and likely to do it again. The song indicates that anyone who falls into their trap is being led astray and will eventually pay the price. The lyrics mention the devil, implying that the song's true intent is about the consequence of falling into temptation.
Line by Line Meaning
You've got no one to defend you, you're out on your own
You are all by yourself and have no one to support or defend you.
Still fighting on the corner, you can never go home
You are constantly fighting and cannot return to your home or previous way of living.
In this world of temptation, in this city of sin
The world is full of temptation and this city is full of sinful things.
There's nothing that can save you, but a strength from within
Only your own inner strength can save you from the dangerous and sinful world.
Because they'll do it again, they've done it before,
The Devils Brigade will repeat their harmful actions as they have in the past.
The Devils Brigade
The group of people leading you down a path of destruction.
Headed down a dead end road with the Devils Brigade
Following the Devils Brigade will only lead you down a path of no return.
You're being led astray
You are being led away from the right path or action.
The crew will not rest until your life's in the piss
The Devils Brigade will not stop until they have ruined your life.
Stop and think of your future, the chances you'll miss
Pause and consider the opportunities and potential that you will lose if you continue on this path.
Looking back on a resume of corruption and crime
Reflecting on a history of dishonest and illegal behavior.
Cause you wasted your youth, taken down in your prime
Your youth has been wasted and you are on the brink of destruction.
Dying to belong though it's tearing you apart
You are desperate for acceptance and belonging but it is causing great internal suffering.
A bullet to the head and a knife to the heart
Violent and deadly tools of the trade in this life of crime.
Are the tools of the trade in this cold life of crime
In the world of crime, violence and death are commonly used to achieve goals.
A smart, decent kid who has now lost his mind
A previously intelligent and moral young person who has now succumbed to a life of madness and destruction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: KEN CASEY, MATTHEW EDWARD KELLY, RICK BARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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