The 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.”
Fuckin Losers. Stop using our song for your little dress up party video. We will SMASH you ๐๐ป
— Dropkick Murphys (@DropkickMurphys) March 23, 2022The 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.
@universalhub wtf pic.twitter.com/ND2BQdwjES
— Sarah (@SaraXinyi) March 20, 2022The 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.
1/ In Boston yesterday, known Neo-Nazis, NSC-131 flew a white-power flag in plain sight of thousands of spectators.
— Rod Webber (@RodWebber) March 21, 2022
Mayor Wu @WuTrain, are you seeing this? @SplendidSpoon spoke up. Why aren't you?#FuckNSC131 pic.twitter.com/iu0kTeBsXKThe 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!
Bravo
— Curtis Stigers (@curtisstigers) March 23, 2022The update
Things got a little more real on Thursday when the band filed an official cease-and-desist through their attorney.
An attorney for Dropkick Murphys has filed a cease-and-desist letter in response to a white nationalist group that used one of the band's songs in a video posted this week. https://t.co/snAyds5yu8
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) March 24, 2022The 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.
Adam 12's Top 12 Dropkick Murphys Songs, For St. Patrick's Day
Barroom Hero
If memory serves, the first time I heard or played Dropkick Murphys was from this split 7″ with the Ducky Boys on WRBB in 1996.
Get Up
This is the song I used to sneak onto the playlist at WFNX. Maybe my all-time fave Dropkicks songs.
Pipebomb on Lansdowne
An all-timer of a song title.
The Wild Rover
One of DKM’s best takes on traditional Irish fare. I would play this for my son and sing along when he was a little fella and he would laugh and laugh and laugh.
The Fields of Athenry
Another Irish standard the lads just crush.
The Auld Triangle
Are you picking up on the theme here? I love when DKM embrace their punk roots, but I adore what they’re able to do with the traditional fare.
The Burden (Live on WBCN)
Live on my radio show! I produced it, baby!
Echoes on "A" Street
This one’s for Pixie.
Sunday Hardcore Matinee
If you’re old enough to have been there, you love this one, too.
Rose Tattoo
See? The lads can craft a fine ballad, too.
Blood
“Trouble underground in Kenmore Square…”
Turn Up That Dial
Dropkick Murphys love when I play The Clash on the radio, too.