Produced by Grammy Award winner Joe Chiccarelli (U2, Beck) and recorded in Dublin, Ireland, it marks the band's first studio album since 2011's acclaimed Speed of Darkness, which reached #9 on Billboard's Top 200.
For singer and lyricist Dave King, it may be the lyrical couplet contained within “Reptiles (We Woke Up”) that points toward the album’s central theme. “We woke up,” sings King, “And we won’t fall back asleep.”
“The thing is, there are things changing,” says King. “That’s why I wrote that line, ‘Like reptiles, we'll all soon be dust someday.’ "It’s quite scary, especially for somebody who has children these days--bringing up family in this environment of who’s welcome and who’s not welcome. I'm talking about the cultures in America and the UK--especially American immigration."
Thematically, hope and inspiration are a major part of “The Hand of John L. Sullivan,” a rollicking track about the legendary “Boston Strong Boy” who was the first ever heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from 1882-1892. Sullivan was a hero to many, and his story has a cultural significance that fits squarely within the story Flogging Molly want to tell with Life Is Good.
“He came from an immigrant family to Boston, and they brought their family over to try to make the best possible world for them,” says King. “We live in an environment right now where that doesn’t seem to be what should be allowed to happen, you know."
Flogging Molly is finishing up a run of U.S. dates (see below) before heading to Europe throughout the summer. Go to www.floggingmolly.com for the complete list.
The band's current lineup includes: Dave King (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bodhran), Bridget Regan (Violin, Tin Whistle), Dennis Casey (Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar), Bob Schmidt (Banjo, Mandolin), Matthew Hensley (Accordion, Piano, Concertina), Nathan Maxwell (Bass Guitar), Michael Alonso (Drums, Percussion).
Selected tour dates:
June 2 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
June 3 Detroit, MI The Fillmore
June 4 Cincinnati, OH Bunbury Music Festival
June 16 Stockholm, Sweden Grona Lund
June 17 Copenhagen, Denmark Komos Festival
June 23 Scheessel, Germany Hurricane Festival
June 25 Neuhausen Obeck, Germany Southside Festival
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