The ‘6th anual countdown to St. Patrick’s day’ begins

By Mary Whitfill

Staff Writer 

Here I go again – sit back and enjoy yet another concert review from your reliable music guru / Sidekick staff writer.

The Flogging Molly ‘Green 17′ tour was launched last night with a sold out show at the House of Blues in Dallas. Flogging Molly’s ‘Green 17′ Tour has become a yearly tradition, where the Celtic Punk band stretches out the St. Patrick Day’s celebration, ultimately ending up with a big St. Patrick’s Day blowout in Arizona on March 17.

I had 7:30 dinner reservations at the House of Blues restaurant and walked over to my balcony seat at about 8:45. There wasn’t anyone on stage and I assumed the opening band wouldn’t start until around 9:00, but, to my surprise, Dave King was standing on the stage right as I sunk into my seat.

The band was awesome. There is is. That’s all there is. It isn’t debatable.

The base drum vibrated by vocal cords from the balcony and when I went down to the lower level for the 2nd half of the show, I seriously thought I was about to go deaf. I loved it.

If it wasn’t for the unbelievable talent leaking from each of the band members, I would believe Flogging Molly was made up of Irish geeks who one day said “Hey! Lets’ play music.”

I was so impressed with the band last night that even after jumping up and down for 2 straight hours, have drinks spilt on me from the other people jumping up and down and having 30 people crush in on me from all sides – I didn’t want to leave. And I’m claustrophobic.

I encourage you to buy CD (I have them all), buy a t-shirt (I have 2) or see a show (I’ve seen 2) – I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Flogging Molly Fun Facts!

Studio Albums:

2000: Swagger

2002: Drunken Lullabies

2004: Within a Mile of Home

2008: Float

Band Members:

 Dave King: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bodhran
Dennis Casey: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Matthew Hensley: Accordion, Concertina, Piano, Vocals
Nathen Maxwell: Bass Guitar, Vocals
Bridget Regan: Violin, Tin Whistle, Classical Guitar, Uilleann Pipes, Vocals
Robert Schmidt: Mandolin, Mandola, Tenor Banjo, Five String Banjo, Vocals
George Schwindt: Drums, Percussion

The ‘Green 17′ tour dates:

February
9 – Dallas, TX, House of Blues
10 – Houston, TX, House of Blues
12 – Memphis, TN, Minglewood Hall
13 – Atlanta, GA, Tabernacle
14 – Tampa, FL, The Ritz
16 – Orlando, FL, House of Blues
17 – Orlando, FL, House of Blues
18 – Charleston, SC, The Music Farm
19 – Charlotte, NC, The Fillmore
20 – Myrtle Beach, SC, House of Blues
22 – Norfolk, VA, The Norva
23 – Baltimore, MD, Ram’s Head Live!
25 – Hartford, CT, Webster Theatre
26 – Philadelphia, PA, Electric Factory
27 – Boston, MA, House of Blues

March
2 – New York, NY, Hammerstein Ballroom
3 – University Park, PA, Penn State University
4 – Columbus, OH, LC Pavillion
5 – Cleveland, OH, House of Blues
6 – Detroit, MI, The Fillmore
8 – Indianapolis, IN, Egyptian Room
9 – Cincinnati, OH, Bogart’s
10 – St. Louis, MO, The Pageant
12 – Milwaukee, WI, The Eagles Club
13 – Chicago, IL, Aragon Ballroom
14 – Kansas City, MO, Uptown Theater
15 – Tulsa, OK, Cain’s Ballroom
17 – Tempe, AZ, Tempe Beach Park