Stubb’s – Austin, TX – March 13, 2022
Alright. Since you’re here, I can guess that you and I have some experiences in common. For example: when you first came across Flogging Molly’s brand of Celtic-flavored folk-punk, you were probably at the same time piqued by the novelty and jolted by the excitement of the lively tempos, atypical instrumentation, and Dave King’s trademark snarl. Then, you likely stuck it out and listened more closely, and found yourself remarkably moved by the jubilant and sorrowful humanity of the band’s songwriting. Then, you might have seen them live a time or two, in which case you discovered how deeply you were capable of being stirred by those same songs. You might have thrown your arm around a total stranger to sing-scream the chorus to “Whistles the Wind.”
Then, you may have missed a few years of Flogging Molly tours, and then again a few more because of COVID, and wondered to yourself if the Los Angeles-and-Dublin-based septet still has what they used to have. You might have Googled them and discovered that Dave recently turned 60 years old, or that they’ve undergone some minor lineup changes. You might have wondered if it were still possible to dance a jig on the fence between defeated disappointment and oddball optimism the way you once did.
I hadn’t seen Flogging Molly since 2008 – shortly after the release of the critically acclaimed Float. After COVID kept us all at home for so long, I understood like never before that a live performance from a band you love is just too special an occasion to pass up any longer than absolutely necessary.
Sonny and I could have easily gone to the Cain’s show in Tulsa, and it would have been great. But we decided to go the extra mile (or 200 of them) this time, and took a road trip to the storied Stubb’s BBQ in Austin. So many changes of plans. So many tiny setbacks that stacked up and became big setbacks. We made it, and we are both glad.
First of all, if you’ve never been to Stubb’s, stop reading this article right now and plan a trip to Austin. I can’t tell you how much of an experience Stubb’s is. Find a show. Get there. Get there early and eat. Then go outside and watch a show at their perfect amphitheater.
At this show, the first act was Texas’ own Vandoliers. They are an alt-country act with a generous smear of punk rebellion. In fact, at one point, frontman Joshua Fleming was heard to say “I’ve spent a lot of my career playing country music for punk rock audiences.” Admittedly, we were late to the party. A couple plates of smoked meats and heaping bowls of Stubb’s collard greens cost us the first couple of songs. If anyone from The Vandoliers reads this – we will get you next time.
Then came the Austrian ska-punk powerhouse Russkaja. Flogging Molly has a tendency to find the biggest, most interesting personalities in alternative music and take them on the road. Russkaja might be the biggest and most interesting of them all. This was a particularly timely performance, as Russkaja’s imagery – and many of their lyrics -are in Russian. This was their first US tour, right in the middle of Russia’s hostile occupation of Ukraine. Very early in the set, Russian-born frontman Georgij Makazaria put his arm around Ukrainian-born guitarist Dimitrij Miller and announced “We are brothers, and we make music together. We condemn this war, and will not give war the opportunity to destroy our friendship.” Russkaja (pronounced Roos-kah-yah)’s blend of ska, polka, gypsy punk, the occasional metal riff, and quirky and exciting live show impressed the Austin audience to the point of nearly selling out of all merchandise. They used to be punk’s best kept secret – but thanks to Flogging Molly, the secret’s out. (Pro tip – the next best kept secret is to go around the construction zone on I-35 through Waco)
A few things haven’t changed since ‘08. For starters, once the techs and stage managers sound-checked a half-dozen mics and nearly a whole dozen instruments, the lights went down to the strains of “Baba O’Riley” by The Who. Also, the fury and frenzy with which Flogging Molly storm their own stage hasn’t changed in the slightest. They even tore into “Drunken Lullabies” first, just like they did when I saw them last. And, just like then, I was almost too choked up to shout the lyrics along with them. Almost.
Some highlights of the show include the inclusion of several new songs. “In case it ain’t obvious, we have a new album comin’ out soon,” jested frontman Dave King. Also of note – the setlist seemed to heavily favor the band’s first studio full-length, Swagger, which blessed the hearts a lot of old Salty Dogs like myself. For me, though, the moment of the night was “If I Ever Leave This World Alive,” which I can’t help but sing in poor imitation of King’s Irish brood, even though I don’t have a drop of Irish blood in my veins and I don’t even like Guinness.
There were also a lot of children in the audience, whom the band was sure to acknowledge as often as possible. If you’re familiar with King’s blistering bark, you’d have gotten a kick out of how sweetly and sagely Dave smiled, waved, and said “hello!” to so many of the kids.
They didn’t make us wait long for the encore. At my age, I really appreciate that. Please just come out and play another song that we all love. In this case, it was the classic “Tobacco Island.” “We hope to leave ya with a little dance in yer heart, ‘cause sometimes all you can do is dance a little jig and look for a bright side to life,” King said, right before they tore into the last song of the night. I, like so many aging punk fans, was just trying to not weep in front of the young people.
Two new faces (banjo and mandolin player Spencer Swain and drummer Mike Alonso) and a few more years of living have done nothing to diminish Flogging Molly’s fire or fervor. What they have to say is as important as it ever was, and so is our necessity for a little jig in our hearts.
It’s not too late to catch this tour with Russkaja and The Vandoliers, or you can also catch Flogging Molly on a co-headlining tour with ska-punk heroes The Interrupters, summer 2022.
