History
In 1997, McColgan left Dropkick Murphys "to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter for the Boston Fire Department." In 2002, McColgan decided he could no longer stay away from music and formed Street Dogs. They first recorded a seven song-demo, which feature McColgan along with his former Dropkick Murphys bandmate Jeff Erna on drums, Rob Guidotti on guitar and Bill Close on bass.[1] They signed with CrossCheck Records in 2003,[2] with Michelle Paulhus now on bass. By the time they started recording their first album, they yet again had someone else on bass, this time Johnny Rioux. Savin Hill (which was produced by former The Mighty Mighty Bosstones member Nate Albert[3] and featured guest appearances by Al Barr and Ken Casey from Dropkick Murphys) was a success and resulted in a supporting tour with Celtic punk band Flogging Molly.
The band underwent a complete shuffle in 2004 when McColgan took a leave of absence from his firefighting career to devote time to recording and promoting their second album Back to the World.The Street Dogs at this time enlisted Marcus Hollar on lead guitar, and expanded the range of their sound with the addition of rhythm guitarist Tobe Bean III. The drummer's spot was filled by Joe Sirois, formerly of The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
Their second release, Back to the World, proved to be even more of a success for the band. It was hailed critically in the United States, Europe and Japan and opened the doors to touring with Social Distortion, Tiger Army, Bad Religion, Millencolin (in Europe), The Bouncing Souls (US And Japan) and The Briefs. The band also toured on the Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2005 and embarked on their first headlining tours in the US and Europe.
2006 saw more shows, both headlining and opening for the likes of Rancid,[4] The Adolescents[5] and The Bouncing Souls.[6] Also in 2006, released their third album, Fading American Dream. It was recorded earlier in the year with producer Ted Hutt (Flogging Molly, Madcap, The Bouncing Souls).
While on tour opening for Flogging Molly on February 27, 2007 show at the Sokol Auditorium in Omaha, NE, bass player Johnny Rioux collapsed on stage due to an apparent seizure. McColgan stopped the show and called for paramedics. At the start of the Flogging Molly set, lead singer Dave King dedicated the show to Johnny and announced that he was all right and would be well enough to play the next night in St. Louis. Following that tour, more dates came headlining as well as European shows.
In February 2008, it was announced that the Street Dogs signed on to Hellcat Records. Their fourth album, State of Grace, for Hellcat, which they started recording in early February 2008, once again with Ted Hutt[7] was released on July 8, 2008.[8]
At recent shows, Street Dogs have been promoting Oxfam America, a humanitarian organization fighting poverty and hunger. McColgan spoke to the crowd mid-set at the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey in May 2008 about the organization while wearing an Oxfam T-shirt. In support of State of Grace, the band toured at the Vans Warped Tour 2008 as a main stage act. Following their Warped tour stint, the group set out on their successful fall State Of Grace headlining tour and then went to Europe for the European Eastpak Antidote tour.
The band released their fifth album, Street Dogs, on August 31, 2010[9] on Hellcat Records.
On February 21, 2011, the band performed at an acoustic show with Tom Morello, Tim McIlrath, Wayne Kramer, and Ike Reilly in Madison, WI in support of the ongoing protests against Gov. Scott Walker's proposed Budget Repair Bill.
In March 2011, the Street Dogs announced a five-week stint on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour, from June 24 until July 30. This would be their third time on the tour, after 2005 and 2008. After the Warped Tour, the band planned a European festival tour in August, and then Australia and Japan in October.
The band embarked on the nine date Sham Rock-N-Roll Festival in September 2011 where they were the co-headlining act for the Dropkick Murphys. Other than appearances on various Warped Tour lineups, this was the first time McColgan toured with his former band since quitting thirteen years earlier. McColgan would even join the Dropkick Murphys onstage for performances of such songs as "Barroom Hero" and "Far Away Coast" from the Do or Die album.[10]
In an interview with AMP, Johnny Rioux was asked about a new album from the street dogs. Rioux said, "We want to do a labor standard solo record with Mike, release the large number of B-sides with the records they were recorded for, mix our live in Boston DVD and record, prepare for our first trip to Australia, return to Japan, get back into some Celtic festivals, and just be happy and grateful people are still loyal after almost 10 years."
On November 26, 2012, McColgan wrote on the band's Facebook account that starting January 1, 2013, Street Dogs would be taking a break from recording and touring, but he assured fans that the band was not breaking up.[11] Later that day, Tobe Bean announced that he would no longer be a touring member of Street Dogs, but he will "always be a Street Dog".[12] In February 2013, it was announced that McColgan and Rioux would form a side project with original Dropkick Murphys member Rick Barton called FM359. In March, it was announced their break from touring would be ending in July when they tour Europe.[13] In March, McColgan mentioned that the band would exclusively work with the Pirates Press Records label in the future, and they planned to release a 7-inch single, a live album, and a DVD. He also mentioned that the band was hoping to get Lenny Lashley from Darkbuster to replace Bean on guitar, and on April 9 the Street Dogs Facebook page announced that Lashley had officially joined the group. They also announced their next single, "Crooked Drunken Sons", a song named after their annual tour, which will be released on Record Store Day 2013. Another single, "Rustbelt Nation", followed a month later.[14] Later in the year, Hollar was replaced by Matt Pruitt (Have Nots).
Members Mike McColgan, Johnny Rioux and Pete Sosa started a side project called FM359 with former Dropkick Murphys guitarist Rick Barton, Street Dogs collaborator Hugh Morrison and Halston Luna. The group, which has an Americana sound, released their debut album Truth, Love and Liberty in January 2014. In April, on Record Store Day 2014, they released a split EP with Noi!se.
On June 22, 2018, the band released their sixth album, the first in eight years, Stand For Something Or Die For Nothing. McColgan said of the album, " "The dumbing down of America is a reason to write songs in 2018. The theme is wake the fuck up and the working class needs to unite across all colors, creeds, nationalities, genders and realize that we are being pitted against each other by snake oil salesmen and autocrats."[15]
On February 13, 2020, via the band's Facebook page, McColgan and Rioux announced the group was disbanding after 17 years. The final round of shows was expected to include a small St. Patrick's Day tour with Flogging Molly and Mad Caddies as well as two headlining shows, one in Long Beach, CA on March 16, and their final show to be announced in their hometown of Boston, MA. However on March 12, the band announced the cancellation of the Long Beach show alongside Flogging Molly's cancellation of their tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[16][17]
Former members
Mike McColgan – lead vocals (2002–2020)
Johnny Rioux – bass (2003–2020)
Pete Sosa – drums (2012–2020)
Matt Pruitt – lead guitar (2013–2020)
Lenny Lashley – rhythm guitar (2013–2020)
Jeff Erna – drums (2002–2004)
Rob Guidotti – guitars (2002–2004)
Bill Close – bass (2002)
Michelle Paulhus – bass (2002–2003)
Marcus Hollar – lead guitar (2004–2013)
Joe Sirois – drums (2004–2007)
Tobe Bean III – guitars (2005–2012)
Paul Rucker – drums (2007–2012)
Back to the World
Street Dogs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I got to go back to the world
Back to my girl
Back to my family and kids
Have to go and see my home again
Don't want my life to end
Before my time is due
It brings me comfort while I'm stuck in this desert mess
But don't get me wrong, perform my mission
Just sounding off on my homesick condition
Got to get out, a short timer, my heart it begs for home
[Chorus]
Seen many a firefight since we deployed out here
Learned how to survive with my friends
They're focus, adrenaline and fear
But the odds haunt me, hope I don't get hit
Be that body with a flag adorned to it
I'm gonna make it, the short timer, hellbent on going home
[Chorus]
I'm not a policy maker
Just a sworn-in order taker
Doing my best to stay alive
I'm gonna make it
To conus real soon
Hope some days still lie ahead for me
[Chorus]
I've gotta go back
Too short to turn back
Gotta go back
Back to the world again
The song "Back to the World" by Street Dogs is a tribute to the soldiers deployed to fight for their country in some faraway land. The soldiers, in this song, are longing to go back to their families as they are struggling with homesickness. The chorus of the song, which is repeated multiple times, encapsulates the sentiment of the song. The desire to go back to the world, to family, to kids, to home, and to life itself in a way that conveys the urgency that the soldiers feel.
The first verse talks about how a postal package from the wife and kids provides a momentary respite from the harsh realities of the war. However, the soldier understands the importance of the mission he is performing and is committed to doing his best. The second verse talks about how the soldiers have faced multiple fights and have learned to survive using their wits and fear. However, the fear of not making it back home alive haunts them. Still, the soldiers are determined to complete their mission and get back to the world.
The song "Back to the World" is a tribute to the soldiers who fought for their country, and it captured the essence of the homesickness that such soldiers endure. The song portrays how the soldiers have to face multiple hardships to keep their country safe, but they still long for the safety and love of their family back home.
Line by Line Meaning
I got to go back to the world
I need to return to my normal life
Back to my girl
Return to my girlfriend who is waiting for me
Back to my family and kids
Retrace my steps towards my loved ones
Have to go and see my home again
I am compelled to see where I belong
Don't want my life to end
I am not ready to die yet
Before my time is due
Before I die prematurely
Just got the postal package from my wife and kids
I have received a parcel from my family
It brings me comfort while I'm stuck in this desert mess
The package is a source of relief while I am in a difficult situation
But don't get me wrong, perform my mission
Despite being homesick, I am still fulfilling my duties
Just sounding off on my homesick condition
I am simply expressing my feelings of wanting to go home
Got to get out, a short timer, my heart it begs for home
I need to leave soon and my heart desires to be home
Seen many a firefight since we deployed out here
I have witnessed many battles since being deployed
Learned how to survive with my friends
I have acquired survival skills with my comrades
They're focus, adrenaline and fear
Our focus is on staying alive while experiencing high energy and apprehension
But the odds haunt me, hope I don't get hit
The possibility of being injured or killed troubles me
Be that body with a flag adorned to it
I may be a dead soldier with my country's flag draped on my coffin
I'm gonna make it, the short timer, hellbent on going home
I am determined to survive and return home as soon as possible
I'm not a policy maker
I am not responsible for creating policies
Just a sworn-in order taker
I am a soldier who has taken an oath and follows orders
Doing my best to stay alive
I am striving to survive in this dangerous situation
To conus real soon
I will return to the continental United States soon
Hope some days still lie ahead for me
I wish to have more time to enjoy my life post-war
I've gotta go back
I need to return home
Too short to turn back
I cannot afford to go back since I am short on time
Gotta go back
I must return home
Back to the world again
Back to my normal life
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JAMEY P/K/A JAMEY JAZ HEATH, MIKELYN RODERICK, RAHSAAN PATTERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Benedict Danner
mike mccolgan is probably one of the most inspirational people in my life. a veteran, a former fire fighter, an awesome musician. he represents virtue, dignity and integrity like no other man i've ever met! i salute you!
Ricky Raso
Punk af
Zingsterazn
This song is not anti or pro war. It's from the perspective of the troops. Come home safe. I love the dogs. You can't help but respect this no matter how you stand politically.
Kristin Currier Ludlow
Once a year I come here to hear this, specifically on this day, Veteran's Day. My dad is a Marine, he fought in Korea. Now he's fighting cancer and doing a fine job not letting it rob his soldier's defiance on staying alive. My husband and his father were in the Navy. My husband and I are both from the Boston south shore area and we are friends with the shithead who created BlankTV. (Love & miss you Smit).
I watch this to remind myself. Thank you Mike, thank you brave men and women who have heeded and took up the call to serve.
Josh Carmichael
Mike McColgan is such a principled, decent guy. He makes me feel ashamed of myself because he is so awesome.
Jiri Rowdy Rampula
THIS song gives me a hope survive my Mission in Afghanistan.Thank you so much Street Dogs.What a Great song with a great lyrics
Joseph Duggan
Θάνος Μπλάκφλαγκ This isn't an anti war song..Mike proudly served in the military.
Jiri Rowdy Rampula
TheCoastalGunner:You're welcome Bro.This song is about some feelings than I know as well.It's been a big Pride for me served in army and continue a family tradition.If I've a good informations Mike McColgan served in Operation Desert Storm.Street Dogs 4Ever!!!!
mNqHOgjJsY
I love this as someone who grew up with punk currently in the military I just want to say thank you over and over The Street Dogs are doing it right!
lysh
i love you guys for this. its good to know you notice us and our feelings. its nice for the punkers in the military to know that their peers respect them.