Dropkick Murphys news; tattoo contest

Boston band Dropkick Murphys' forthcoming album, Signed and Sealed in Blood will be released in early 2013. It is their second with producer Ted Hutt and was mixed by Joe Chiccarelli.

"We had such a great time writing our last album, Going Out In Style, we were excited to get back into the studio right away," says bassist and co-lead singer Ken Casey.

"Where Going Out in Style was a concept album-kind of intricate and difficult-this one is catchy, fun, and as sing-along as can be."

The album's title is a reference to a lyric in the new song "Rose Tattoo." The imagery has given the band an idea that will hopefully include their fans' many contributions. The band, through their website, are asking their most loyal fans who feel equally inspired by the lyrics of the song to get a tattoo with the new Dropkick Murphys logo from the Signed and Sealed in Blood album cover, including the band's name and/or the album title or song lyrics.

During the process they would like fans to take photos and shoot videos, then submit it all through the band's website before the Sept. 19 deadline. These photos will be used in the CD and vinyl artwork, as well as in the upcoming "Rose Tattoo" music video that will come out this fall. For full information on this fan project, check out the band's website at dropkickmurphys.com/signedandsealed.

A large number of fans already vowed on the band's facebook to make this their first, second, or even third Dropkick Murphys tattoo.

Dropkick Murphys are currently preparing to kick off their fall tour, beginning with a week of performances in September dubbed the "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Tour," highlighted by a Sept. 21 hometown performance at Boston's Bank Of America Pavilion waterfront amphitheatre.

The band will return in October for dates along the West Coast and elsewhere. See below for details.

Dropkick Murphys are touring in support of their Going Out In Style and Going Out In Style: Fenway Park Bonus Edition CDs, both released via the band-owned Born & Bred Records.

Dropkick Murphys Upcoming Tour Dates

9/14 - Buffalo, NY @ Outer Harbor

9/15 - Chicago, IL @ Riot Fest

9/16 - Louisville, KY @ Headliners

9/18 - Detroit, MI @ Fillmore

9/19 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE

9/20 - Utica, NY @ Saranac Brewery

9/21 - Boston, MA @ Bank of America Pavilion

10/29 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Orbit Room

10/31 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

11/01 - Omaha, NE @ Sokol Auditorium

11/02 - Des Moines, IA @ Val Air Ballroom

11/03 - Fargo, ND @ The Venue

11/05 - Billings, MT @ Shrine Auditorium

11/06 - Missoula, MT @ The Wilma

11/07 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Concert House

11/09 - Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theatre

11/11 - Chico, CA @ Theater

11/12 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory

11/13 - Flagstaff, AZ @ The Orpheum Theater

11/15 - Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theatre

11/16 - Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club

11/17 - Hamilton, ONT @ Wentworth Room at Hamilton Convention Centre

11/18 - Montreal, QC @ Metropolis