I’m told Saint Patrick’s Day is a bigger deal here in the States than in Ireland, or at least that the celebrations/parades are bigger. I don’t really know about that, but I do know that the people here in Portland, OR will party for any reason even Groundhog’s Day. Scratch that, especially Groundhog’s Day. Anyway, with St. Patty’s looming like an Indian from a Ken Kesey novel I thought I would compile a list of bands to check out to help you organize your iPod playlist for March 17th.
Of course one could be inclusive and include any band from Ireland such as U2 or Oppenheimer, but ‘m going for over the top here. I’m going with bands that are unmistakably Irish from the first note of a song even if they may actually be from Boston or London. So here they are in no particular order. Please leave a comment if there is a band you feel I have neglected.
Drop Kick Murphy’s
How can you not have these guys. Loud, sound drunk, and I swear I get transported to some Irish pirate ship every time I hear them.
The Pogues
I think they may actually be Irish pirates, just happened to have been born in England.
Flogging Molly
Less punk and more traditional, these guys will give your party emotional balance.
Now I hear you say, “But dude, I don’t want to just get drunk and party and get in a fight.” Too which I say, “Pussy.”
But alright. Here’s for your less…enthusiastic party, shall we say.
The Corrs
Very pretty to look at and they are actually good at what they do.
The Chieftans
The great thing about these guys is their first 10 albums are titled 1, 2, 3, 4, you get the idea. They’re for your trad crowd.
Enya
Well, you saw Titanic, ’nuff said.
Now for your less Irish sounding Irish, just because:
U2
Van Morrison
Oppenheimer
The Boomtown Rats
Thin Lizzy
Well, that should get you going. iPod up, party down, and call some Irish dude a Mick. Because everyone should be punched by an Irishman once, at least.
Musha rig um du rum da, / Whack fol the daddy O,
Whack fol the daddy O, / There’s whiskey in the jar
Some Kind Of Muffin 