The Dropkick Murphys are rockin’ for the people this summer.
The Quincy-bred Celtic-punk band announced on Tuesday morning that their upcoming 13th studio album, “For The People,” will release digitally on July 4. CD and vinyl releases are planned for Oct. 10, featuring five additional bonus tracks. The album’s cover art was designed by artist Shepard Fairey’s Studio Number One firm.
Called “a declaration of who this band is,” according to a press release, the always-outspoken group’s politically-charged new record is centered around “speaking up against the injustices happening in the United States.” The Dropkick Murphys have been particularly vocal since President Trump’s return to office, and, in April, performed an acoustic set at the Hands Off! rally in Boston protesting Trump and Elon Musk.
“We’ve always had the same message and haven’t been afraid to speak out about what’s important to us. But for me now, I think about my kids’ future, and the next generation,” frontman Ken Casey said in a press release statement. “That could be anything from speaking out against injustices, or just simply making sure you take the time to tell the people close to you how important they are to you.”
In addition to the album news, the band released the music video for “Who’ll Stand With Us?,” the first single off the record. According to a press release, the song is a “call for unity” and a “return to sanity.” The new track “aims to frame class warfare for what it is,” while calling out the “billionaires and broligarchs” the band says are dividing society.
The Dropkick Murphys played an acoustic version of the song during the Hands Off! protest in April, with Casey telling the Globe at the time that the band participated in the rally as a way to stand up for democracy.
“No kings here,” Casey said. “One man thinks he calls all the shots, and that’s not what he was elected for. He’s elected to be a public servant for all, and we’re here to speak up against that.”
The new music video and album coincide with a busy summer for the group, best known for their 2006 hit “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”
On Friday, which also marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the Dropkick Murphys will perform on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as part of the Unite for Veterans, Unite for America event. The band will continue to rock out and speak up as they embark on their “Summer Of Discontent Tour,” which launches in July with LA rockers Bad Religion as co-headliners.
The Dropkick Murphys are also set to perform at the new Irish music fest Seisiún, debuting in Boston at the Stage at Suffolk Downs in September, co-headlining with The Pogues. The Pogues will reportedly pay tribute to late lead singer Shane MacGowan during their set at the event. Meanwhile, the Dropkick Murphys honor MacGowan with the final track on their new album, which is titled “One Last Goodbye ‘Tribute To Shane’,” and features Dublin folk-metal quartet the Scratch.
‘That’s what music’s for.’ Why the Dropkick Murphys joined Boston’s anti-Trump demonstrations.Yes, the Dropkick Murphys got suspended from X. No, it’s not because of Elon Musk or Donald Trump criticism.
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