An long-standing punk band with outspoken pro-union political views, Dropkick Murphys has been an icon of the punk scene and a voice for the workers’ perspective since its founding in 1996. In all that time, however, only bassist Ken Casey has been a constant member; one of the original founders Mike McColgan left as early as 1998, reportedly because he wasn’t dedicated enough to the band’s punk movement and the causes they spoke for. In an example of the band’s continuity, the name came from an alcohol detoxification facility run by Dr. John “Dropkick” Murphy, and in 2017 their album 11 short stories of pain & glory was heavily influenced by the opiate epidemic.

If you, like me, are intrigued by this angrily activist music group but haven’t gotten the chance to discover them yet, start here — your Rivershare libraries collect 5 of their 11 albums:

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

This newest album is unique in several respects, particularly its more acoustic, country music style; it’s structured around unused material from socialist and anti-fascist singer-songwriter icon Woody Guthrie.  Even the title is from a slogan Guthrie used to write on his guitars.

If only for my own (apparently lacking) education, leave your favorite band-with-a-cause in the comments – and come grab This Machine Still Kills Fascists today to catch up with the Dropkick Murphys.