Shenanigans with Tim Brennan of Dropkick Murphys

By: Canonblue Lalley

"Part of our job is getting our fans to the music. The biggest thing was putting out an album at a time where you can't really go out and tell people about it at shows."

Recently, a new tour was announced for the first time in almost three years for the beloved Irish Punk band, The Dropkick Murphys. Tim Brennan who plays pretty much every Irish instrument and the kitchen sink dropped me a line to give me some insight on what’s to come with their newest studio album, Turn Up the Dial.
Brennan, heralding from my old stomping grounds in New Haven, Connecticut is the second newest member of the Murphys, his career with them spanning back to 2003. I’m a Milford girl myself, but I try not to hold it against him.

CB: Thank you so much for taking the time. You know i have a lot of thoughts about the new album, but before we get into that, what was it like writing and recording an album during Covid?

TIM: "At one point we got to go out with Rancid to play a few songs for people. We could tell that they were still out there listening to it, even if we weren’t able to ya know, pound it down their throats."

CB: I feel like the Dropkick Murphys are an integral part of the 3 am drunk bar crowd so you're going to have an audience, I would think.

TIM: "Yeah thats the Hope."

CB: So we just received word that Al isn’t going to be joining due to some medical issues within the family. If he's gonna sit out the tour, then who is going to be helping front?

TIM: "Right thats right"

-I interrupt, my mind already racing with possibilities.

CB: Ken Casey for sure.

TIM: "Yeah, so we are going to be out with the Rumjacks and Bombpops. And Jesse. And so ya know, people seemed psyched when we asked if anyone was wanting to join us. They'll be with us pretty much the whole tour and we'll see who pops up city to city."

CB: So, I've heard rumors about Jim from Pennywise?

-Tim chuckles.

TIM: "You know I cant confirm or deny any rumors at this point."

CB: Well, you know I had to try.
TIM: “That’s fair. Just stay tuned.”
CB: You know I've covered you guys a lot over the years. I think this is show number 9?

TIM: "Yeah thats probably right"

CB: So Boston is always such a great place to catch you boys playing, it's just such a different dynamic.

TIM: "Oh yeah its crazy playing at home, it's just different."

CB: I think my favorite memory was the end of show rendition of "kiss me im shit faced" where you'd pull folks from the crowd on stage.

-Tim lets out a heavy laugh.

TIM: "Ohhhh yeah I loved that bit. Pre-covid we'd do it at every show. Such a cool thing to be up there with everyone."

CB: I remember Al pulling me up so we were all on stage and I'm photographing all of these drunk excited folks just having a bar chorus with their favorite band. I think the photo of us i have you were just so damn tired after all that rockin.

TIM: "Oh yeah. That used to be the best. Hopefully we can get back to it when it's safe."

CB: You know your’e gonna be here during Mardi Gras?

TIM: "Oh I don’t ever remember NOT being there during Mardi Gras, it's just the way the St. Paddy's tour always works out. I remember one time at the House of Blues, waking up in the morning and having to vault a pile of vomit from in front of the tour bus door to get to the sidewalk."

I laugh.

CB: Welcome to New Orleans. I think something I enjoyed on the new album was a totally different vibe than normal Murphy's. "Middle Finger" with that slow entrance and breakdown is catching my ear.

TIM: "I was super excited about this album because we talk the Pogues a lot, and obviously they're a huge influence on what we've done with this album. I was excited because this was in that vein. Theres a little of the Irish stuff. Thats not to say it's not your average, wild Dropkick record, but we did explore the more intricate side of Irish music, and I was so excited to do that."

CB: I feel like it had some tones that you've touched on before, in other songs, but it felt like it had its own agency. It reminds me of "Rose Tattoo". These are heavier things as a band that we're writing about.

TIM: "Exactly, sure. I love "Turn up the Dial" and Middle Finger."

CB: That's because it features banjos and accordions, there's some bias there, let's be real.

Tim laughs.

TIM: "Well, yeah, I mean I was really happy with how those songs came out, you know I am a fan of the stuff that we do thats the Irish stuff but more menacing."

CB: Like ''Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya?"

TIM: "Yes exactly, that heavy."

CB: Theres something about it, when you play in a heavy capacity that gets the heart pumping.

TIM: "Sure yeah, I know what you mean for sure."

CB: Are you excited to be back on tour with all the dangers of the pandemic?

TIM: "Yeah I mean I'm excited but with some trepidation. It would be, you know, lovely to not have to worry about anything. Uhm, as far your health and stuff. And it would really one thing if it was just yourself; we've all played deathly ill on the road before. It would be one thing where 'I feel like crap but I can still go out and perform". So the scary thing is thinking we may have to cancel shows. But, I would, hypothetically, if I had to sit in a hotel room for two weeks knowing there were shows going on without me, it'd be very difficult."

CB: I think it's heavier for the burden of artists because its not just your health but the health of the fans in the crowd. Like how horrid would it be if your show turned out to be a super spreader event?

TIM: "Oh yeah, are you kidding, that's the entire thing right there. You dont wanna be responsible for other people, you know, coming to see you and your show is the one they get covid at. It's really tough."

CB: In spite of all of that, we love having y'all here.

TIM: "Its a great place down there, we love it."

Stay tuned to find out if the Murphys’ try the best burger in Biloxi on the way out, from the Project Lounge.

Catch the Murphys on March 3Rd at the Civic!