Categories
Album Reviews Buzz Chart Music Reviews

Flogging Molly

‘Speed Of Darkness’
(Borstal Beat)

floggingmollyspeedofdarknessIf you’ve ever seen a Flogging Molly show, you’ll most likely agree that they were born to play live; a gloriously ramshackle brew of traditional Irish folk and punk rock that could get a dead horse jigging. It’s been just over a decade since the band released their debut album ‘Swagger’, and although the Celtic folk-punk genre hasn’t really evolved musically since then, it has become more popular – with a fair few bands arming themselves with fiddles and accordions and claiming dubious affinity with the Emerald Isle.

Flogging Molly frontman Dave King, however, has a genuine working-class Dublin background, and his oft-autobiographical style has infused his band’s music with a sense of authenticity and honesty that others lack. Granted, they’ve yet to make a truly amazing record – although 2002’s ‘Drunken Lullabies’ came close – but they are consistently good, and ‘Speed Of Darkness’ is a fine addition to the family.

Whereas previous album ‘Float’ had a largely upbeat tone, the, erm, darker outlook of ‘Speed Of Darkness’ should strike a chord with anyone feeling the pinch of our Coalition government’s cuts. “I’m a working man, without any work,” spits Dave on ‘Revolution’, before railing against the effects of urban decay on ‘Don’t Shut ‘Em Down’ and ‘The Power’ Out’. Yes, he’s pretty pissed off, but the tunes are memorable as ever; with the belter of a title track and ‘Saints And Sinners’ both potential live favourites.

The biggest surprise on offer here is the five-minute ‘The Cradle Of Humankind’, which builds slowly from a simple piano and accordion intro into an anthemic, guitar-laden song that should draw a sing-along from all the but the most churlish of listeners. ‘Speed Of Darkness’ may essentially be Flogging Molly doing what they always do, but they’re still doing it well.

Alex Gosman

Categories
Competitions Win

Win tickets to see Flogging Molly at The Garage!

Flogging Molly will embarking on Europe in June and playing a one off exclusive, sold out show at the Garage in London on June 29th following their performance at Glastonbury Festival.

The band will be playing a set of classics amongst songs from their new album ‘Speed of Darkness‘ that is released on Monday 30th May so this is the last chance to get into that show with your best mate and also to take home signed albums and tee shirts for you and a friend. You can pick up the new album here.

To enter, answer this question below and don’t forget like the Crossfire Facebook page as we will contact you via Facebook only to let you know you have won on Monday June 20th.

You can also join Flogging Molly’s facebook page here!

[competition_18]

Categories
Music News

Flogging Molly launch video competition

Celtic punks Flogging Molly are splashing $4,000 on the winner of a brand new video competition that was launched today. The band have hooked up with Genero.tv giving film makers the opportunity to make the official music video for their next single so start thinking how you can win the loot as the competition closes on June 23rd.

The winning director will receive $4,000 US dollars and their video will be serviced to global media, including TV. The band will choose the finalist and winning videos themselves, with 2 entries also becoming finalists based on the number of Facebook likes.

Click here to find out more and enter and look out for a competition ext week to win a ticket to their Garage show in London, a rare treat for fans to see Matt Hensley and the rest of the band perform in front of a small crowd for the first time in ages. The show sold out within minutes so if you didn’t get one then come back here as we will have 2 pairs up for grabs with some other exclusive prizes.

New album Speed of Darkness will be released on 30th May.

Categories
Music News

Flogging Molly play one off show at the Garage

The wonderful Flogging Molly are returning to the UK to play a one off tiny show for fans on June 29th at the Garage in Highbury after their set at Glastonbury.

The band that skate legend Matt Hensley on piano and accordion have a new album scheduled called  ‘Speed of Darkness‘ which is the first album to be released on their own label after parting ways with Side One Dummy Records after an amazing relationship that lasted a decade.

We will have exclusive tickets to this one off show to give away in the coming weeks so look out for the chance to get into this on us. if you don’t want to risk waiting though, get tickets that are on sale from today. Watch the new video for ‘Dont Shut ‘Em Down’ here

Speed of Darkness will be released on 30th May.