Dropkick Murphys Performs at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Dropkick Murphys performed at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on August 6, 2010 (Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com).
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
One of the most beloved punk-inspired bands in the world brought their live show to The Joint on Friday, August 6, and Las Vegas photographer Erik Kabik was there to capture these great shots.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
From meager beginnings playing all-ages matinees at now-defunct Boston clubs to a prominent placement in Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning film, “The Departed”, the Dropkick Murphys have evolved over the past decade into one of the most beloved punk-inspired bands in the world. Now, with “The Meanest Of Times”, their sixth studio album of spirited, cathartic and heartfelt anthems, the oft-cherished seven-piece outfit has also launched its own record label, Born & Bred Records, as a means to bring new DKM music to the world while assuming full control of their destiny.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
As evidenced by the explosive, uncompromising and downright brilliant album-opener, “Famous For Nothing” and the set bowing, optimistic roar of “Never Forget”, “The Meanest Of Times” is book-ended in top form and captures among its fifteen tracks what founding bassist Ken Casey calls “themes of childhood, growing up and family”.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
“To me the record is a celebration of life”, front man Al Barr adds. “It’s about redemption. It’s about coming up in the world and the way it shapes you. It’s about not taking your family and friends for granted and it’s about living in the moment. The cover is a bunch of Catholic School kids messing around and looking angry on the playground. And if you think back to your elementary and high school years, in a lot of ways, they sometimes really were the meanest of times.”
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
The band performed at the Sex Pistols’ infamous 2002 Golden Jubilee gig, Wrote the theme song to the highly improbable 2004 Red Sox World Series Championship, their first in 86 years. Collaborated with Woody Guthrie’s estate to utilize the folk pioneer’s unpublished lyrics to craft “Gonna Be A Blackout”. And there was that critical use of “I’m Shipping Up To Boston” from“ The Warrior’s Code” in the aforementioned Scorsese movie “The Departed”.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
A Dropkick Murphys live show is easily one of the most exciting and invigorating around these days as particularly evident if you have ever been to one of their sold out months in advance Boston St Patrick’s Day shows.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Says Ken, “I think it’s almost like we’re going to a show every night ourselves, because the audience is entertaining to us just as much as we’re performing for them. Our fans are so unpredictable. You never know when some drunk is gonna take his clothes off and rub up against you, not that I want to encourage that type of thing!”
“When you get up onstage for two hours of your day, it reminds you why you do it,” Al interjects. “It’s the audience and the fervor that you feel. A lot times I don’t embrace it until I hit the stage, but then I come alive and the reason why I do this, why I love this so much, is nailed into my forehead.”
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
Dropkick Murphys perform at The Joint
Photo: © Erik Kabik/ RETNA/ www.erikkabik.com.
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