The band plays “The State of Massachusetts.”
Ryan JamesThe Dropkick Murphys have a message for hate groups that try to use their songs, and it's a pretty direct one.
(NSFW language ahead)
The message
The band caught wind of a noted white supremacist group using one of their songs in a video shared by journalist Rod Webber and they issued their own special "cease-and-desist."
The context
Let's back things up a bit. You probably saw images from Sunday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in South Boston of a banner reading: KEEP BOSTON IRISH. This was shared by Universal Hub.
The reason
Ken Casey and Co. were responding to the gang behind that banner, the neo-Nazi group NSC 131. In addition to the banner, the group displayed various white power insignias at the parade.
The history
If you know the Dropkick Murphys, you know they have zero tolerance for "Nazi bullshit." The band is know for stopping shows and kicking out offending parties.
The response
DKM fans erupted in the replies, thanking the band for standing up for what's right. Turns out the guy who wrote the Sons of Anarchy theme is a big supporter!
The update
Things got a little more real on Thursday when the band filed an official cease-and-desist through their attorney.
The right thing
Could the Dropkick Murphys have turned a deaf ear to all of this? Sure. But they didn't. They stood by their convictions and spoke out--loudly--against what's wrong. Yet another reason to love the lads. Good Boston boys who write great songs and wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Read more about it this Patch article.
