Studio Albums
The Dropkick Murphys' debut studio album, Do or Die, was released in 1998 on Hellcat Records, a label run by members of Rancid and connected to Epitaph Records. The album featured the original vocalist Mike McColgan, who left the band shortly after to pursue a career as a firefighter. He was replaced by Al Barr, who has been the lead singer ever since. The band's second album, The Gang's All Here, was released in 1999 and featured the first appearance of bagpipe player Scruffy Wallace. The album also marked the departure of guitarist Rick Barton, who was replaced by Marc Orrell.
In 2001, the band released their third album, Sing Loud, Sing Proud!, which introduced more elements of folk and Celtic music into their sound. The album included guest appearances by Shane MacGowan of The Pogues, Colin McFaull of Cock Sparrer, and The Boston Pops Orchestra. The album also featured the song "The Spicy McHaggis Jig", which was based on the band's former bagpipe player Spicy McHaggis, who left the band in 2003. The band's fourth album, Blackout, was released in 2003 and included the hit single "Walk Away", as well as a cover of AC/DC's "It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)".
The band's fifth album, The Warrior's Code, was released in 2005 and was certified gold by the RIAA. The album featured the song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston", which used lyrics from an old Woody Guthrie poem and was featured in the movie The Departed. The song became one of the band's most popular and recognizable songs, and is often played at Boston sports events. The album also included a tribute to Irish-American boxer Micky Ward, titled "The Warrior's Code", and a cover of Eric Bogle's "The Green Fields of France".
In 2007, the band formed their own record label, Born & Bred Records, and released their sixth album, The Meanest of Times. The album featured the songs "The State of Massachusetts" and "Flannigan's Ball", which both charted on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The album also included a cover of The Skids' "Into the Valley" and a tribute to Bruce Springsteen, titled "Loyal to No One". In 2010, the band released their seventh album, Going Out in Style, which was a concept album that told the story of a fictional Irish immigrant named Cornelius Larkin. The album featured guest appearances by Fat Mike of NOFX, Chris Cheney of The Living End, Lenny Clarke, and actor/comedian Bobby Orr.
The band's eighth album, Signed and Sealed in Blood, was released in 2013 and was inspired by the band's tattoos. The album featured the songs "Rose Tattoo" and "The Boys Are Back", which both became fan favorites. The album also included a cover of Gerry Cinnamon's "Don't Be Afraid" and a tribute to Johnny Cash, titled "Jimmy Collins' Wake". In 2017, the band released their ninth album, 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory, which dealt with themes such as addiction, loss, and hope. The album featured the songs "Blood", "Paying My Way", and "You'll Never Walk Alone", which was a cover of Rodgers and Hammerstein's song from the musical Carousel.
In 2021, the band released their tenth album, Turn Up That Dial, which was a celebration of music and its power to heal and inspire. The album featured the songs "Smash Shit Up", "Mick Jones Nicked My Pudding", and "Queen of Suffolk County". The album also included a cover of Darby O'Gill's "The Bonny" and a tribute to The Clash, titled "Middle Finger". In 2022, the band released their eleventh album, This Machine Still Kills Fascists, which was a political statement against the rise of fascism and authoritarianism in the world. The album featured the songs "Rebels with a Cause", "No Time for Love, Dr. Jones", and "This Machine Still Kills Fascists". The album also included a cover of Woody Guthrie's "All You Fascists Bound to Lose" and a tribute to Joe Strummer, titled "The Future Is Unwritten". In 2023, the band released their twelfth album, Okemah Rising, which was a homage to Woody Guthrie and his hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma. The album featured the songs "Okemah Rising", "Dust Bowl Ballads", and "This Land Is Your Land". The album also included a cover of Bob Dylan's "Song to Woody" and a tribute to Pete Seeger, titled "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?".
Live Albums
The Dropkick Murphys have also released three live albums, which capture their energetic and passionate live performances. The first one, Live on St. Patrick's Day, was released in 2002 and recorded at the Avalon Ballroom in Boston during their annual St. Patrick's Day shows. The album featured songs from their first four albums, as well as covers of Irish standards such as "The Wild Rover" and "The Fields of Athenry". The second one, Live on Lansdowne, Boston MA, was released in 2010 and recorded at the House of Blues in Boston during their 2009 St. Patrick's Day shows. The album featured songs from their first seven albums, as well as covers of Thin Lizzy's "Jailbreak" and AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap". The third one, Live at Fenway, was released in 2012 and recorded at Fenway Park in Boston during their two-night stand in 2011. The album featured songs from their first eight albums, as well as covers of Dropkick Murphys' "Tessie" and Standells' "Dirty Water".
Compilation Albums
The Dropkick Murphys have also released three compilation albums, which collect their singles, EPs, and rare tracks. The first one, The Early Years, was released in 1998 and featured songs from their first two EPs, Boys on the Docks and Curse of a Fallen Soul, as well as some unreleased tracks. The second one, The Singles Collection, Volume 1, was released in 2000 and featured songs from their first four singles, as well as some covers and collaborations with other bands. The third one, Singles Collection, Volume 2, was released in 2005 and featured songs from their singles released between 1998 and 2004, as well as some covers and collaborations with other bands.
Extended Plays
The Dropkick Murphys have also released numerous extended plays (EPs), which are shorter than albums but longer than singles. Some of their EPs are standalone releases, while others are part of split releases with other bands. Some of their notable EPs are: Boys on the Docks (1997), which was their first release and featured the song "Boys on the Docks"; Curse of a Fallen Soul (1998), which featured the song "10 Years of Service"; Mob Mentality (1999), which was a split with The Business and featured the song "Mob Mentality"; Tessie (2004), which featured the song "Tessie" and a cover of Boston Red Sox's anthem; Rose Tattoo: For Boston Charity EP (2013), which featured an acoustic version of "Rose Tattoo" and two live tracks; and Smash Shit Up (2020), which featured the song "Smash Shit Up" and a cover of Gerry Cinnamon's "Don't Be Afraid".
Sources
Dropkick Murphys discography - Wikipediaa href="">Dropkick Murphys - Official Website
Dropkick Murphys - AllMusic
Dropkick Murphys - Spotify
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