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)
Kevin J. O'Toole
Street Dogs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As God, November, and Boston
Let you take flight
May you rest in peace
After you leave Albany Street
So much love you left to your family
Ten Milton open, coffee's brewing
You worked a trade that put others first
You lived your life that way
Thanks for all the good advice
It saved
So to you I say
Tonight, tonight, tonight
We toast to you
With deep respect for
All that you served through
O Kevin J. O'Toole
We'll raise them high
Knowing O so well
Your spirit could never die
Could never die
Braved Korea, snuffed out Big Red
Hey a first national cracker jack cut man
You watched out over St. Ann
Through her battles all the way
St. Peter set a table for you two
O I know it's true
Tonight, tonight, tonight
We toast to you
With deep respect for
All that you served through
O Kevin J. O'Toole
We'll raise them high
Knowing O so well
Your spirit could never die
Could never die
Fourteen down in Peobody
Or fixing uo the FIU
Running brigade, pipe and drum
Cooking for four hundred
In Florian
May the road rise up to meet you
May the wind be at your back
The sun shine warm upon your face (IRISH BLESSING)
Till we meet again...
My dear friend
Tonight, tonight, tonight
We toast to you
With deep respect for
All that you served through
O Kevin J. O'Toole
We'll raise them high
Knowing O so well
Your spirit could never die
Could never die
Will never...
Should never...
Could never...
Will never die
The song "Kevin J. O'Toole" by Street Dogs is a tribute to a man who had a profound impact on the lives of those around him. The lyrics begin by acknowledging his passing and asking God to allow his spirit to rest in peace. The song then goes on to detail Kevin's life and the many ways he served others. He was a generous man who put others first and gave good advice that left a lasting impact on those who knew him. The song also highlights Kevin's bravery during his time in Korea, his work as a cut man for boxing matches, and his dedication to his community through his involvement in various organizations. The lyrics end with an Irish blessing and a promise that Kevin's spirit will never truly die.
Line by Line Meaning
Pray as you rest on this night
We hope that you find peace in your final resting place.
As God, November, and Boston
May God bless you and the city you called home.
Let you take flight
May you find freedom and peace in the afterlife.
May you rest in peace
We hope that you find eternal peace and rest.
After you leave Albany Street
Once you pass from this world, may you find a new home in the afterlife.
So much love you left to your family
You were deeply loved and will be greatly missed by your family.
Ten Milton open, coffee's brewing
Remembering a time spent with you, discussing the daily grind.
Chewing the fat with me, so to speak
Sharing stories and conversations over a cup of coffee.
You worked a trade that put others first
You spent your life serving others and putting their needs ahead of your own.
You lived your life that way
You were always putting others first, even in your personal life.
Thanks for all the good advice
You were always there to offer helpful advice when needed.
It saved
Your advice made a positive impact on my life.
So to you I say
I would like to take a moment to honor your memory.
Tonight, tonight, tonight
As we gather to remember you, we raise a toast to your memory.
We'll raise them high
We will honor your memory with a heartfelt toast.
Knowing O so well
We knew you well and will always remember you.
Your spirit could never die
Your memory and the positive impact you had on those around you will live on forever.
Braved Korea, snuffed out Big Red
You were a brave soldier and fought in the Korean War, putting your life on the line for your country.
Hey a first national cracker jack cut man
You were a skilled and respected cut man in boxing.
You watched out over St. Ann
You were a protector and guardian of St. Ann.
Through her battles all the way
You were there for St. Ann, even during times of hardship and struggle.
St. Peter set a table for you two
It is believed that you are now in heaven with St. Peter, reunited with loved ones who have passed before you.
Fourteen down in Peobody
You were a member of the fire department in Peabody, serving your community and helping those in need.
Or fixing up the FIU
You were also involved in the construction industry and worked hard to build and repair buildings in the area.
Running brigade, pipe and drum
You were a part of the local brigade, playing a vital role in community events and celebrations.
Cooking for four hundred
You were a skilled cook and prepared food for large community events.
May the road rise up to meet you
May you find an easy and joyful journey to the afterlife.
May the wind be at your back
May you have a gentle and supportive journey to the afterlife.
The sun shine warm upon your face (IRISH BLESSING)
May you find comfort and warmth in the afterlife, surrounded by love and happiness.
Till we meet again...
We hope that we will one day be reunited with you in the afterlife.
My dear friend
You were a dear friend to many and will be deeply missed.
Will never...
Your memory and impact on those who knew you will never fade.
Should never...
You will always be remembered for the love and kindness you showed to those around you.
Could never...
Your spirit and memory will live on forever in our hearts and minds.
Will never die
You may have passed on, but your memory and legacy will never die.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind