Flogging Molly, Street Dogs – Live (March 6th, 2007)

St. Patrick’s Day came 11 days early this year for me, and a sold out Opera House crowd Tuesday night, as Flogging Molly’s annual Green 17 Tour rolled into a frigidly cold Toronto.

The doors couldn’t open up fast enough, as chilled to the bone punks hovered in line in anticipation to see the stellar line up, which featured solo act Twopointeight, Boston’s Street Dogs, and of course the tour headliners Flogging Molly.

After missing the opening act, because of interview scheduling I got into position to take photos of The Street Dogs. There was definitely a buzz in the air for this Boston street punk rock staple. The band took the stage, and immediately broke into Not Without a Purpose off the quintet’s Fading American Dream 2006 release. Mike McColgan showed the now sweaty crowd why he is one of the most prolific front men in punk rock. He spent more time in the crowd with the fans, than he did on stage. The Dogs played material from all their albums, and showed why they owned the opening spot on tour.

Next it was time for the big show Flogging Molly. The crowd was edgy and excited for the seven piece to take the stage. But they didn’t have to wait long, as Dave King sauntered on stage looking peppy and determined to rock this crowd into frenzy, and that’s what they did. I’m not sure if there is a live band out there that can create the energy and chaos that FM can. They opened with a new song, but it was as if everyone in the room heard it before. FM held their fans in their palms as they blasted through their discography leaving no one disappointed.

It was interesting to watch the inner dynamics of the band as they played. Singer Dave King seemed like the head coach encouraging the band to rock harder, and keep a pace. You couldn’t help but watch the new accordion player try to keep up with the band, reading the sheet music on the fly. I have never witnessed such busy instrument technicians, as they pulled double duty tuning guitars, topping up drinks, lighting cigarettes, and keeping the stage clear. The band kept up the party going for two solid hours, and left a mark on the crowd like a Guinness stain on a white shirt.

Flogging Molly is the real deal. They play hard, they drink hard, and they appreciate their audience just as much if not more, than the audience appreciates them. Even if you can’t see this band on the Green 17 Tour, do yourself a favor, and go put on a Flogging Molly record, crank it loud, grab a Guinness, and the band will be there in spirit, because that’s who they are ‘me son!