Dropkick Murphys’ new album For The People is available for download and streaming via the band’s Dummy Luck Music/Play It Again Sam, with the LP and CD editions featuring five bonus tracks out October 10.
The album cover was created by renowned social/political artist Shepard Fairey's design firm Studio Number One, and the album was produced and mixed by longtime Dropkick Murphys collaborator Ted Hutt.
“Who’ll Stand With Us?,” the album’s first single, is a call for unity, a return to sanity, and a look at what – and who – is really dividing us. The music video for “Who’ll Stand With Us?” was directed by Jon Vulpine and depicts the disturbing reality of people disappearing in the United States. MeidasTouch Network, the U.S.-based pro-democracy news podcast (and the #1 podcast in the U.S. and Canada), took note, posted the video, and has shown ongoing support for the band’s efforts to stand up against injustice.
Pre-save For The People here: https://dropkick-murphys.ffm.to/forthepeople
Watch the “Who’ll Stand With Us?” video here: https://youtu.be/5BRHuiRyVEE?si=c94yla-74tT5kcCS
Find the “Who’ll Stand With Us?” single here: https://dropkick-murphys.ffm.to/whollstandwithus
In line with the album’s theme and Boston Celtic punk band’s ethos, vocalist Ken Casey recently participated in a humanitarian aid convoy in Ukraine, highlighting the band’s commitment to supporting the war-torn country. In recent years, Dropkick Murphys have raised money for Ukrainian aid efforts through the sale of limited-edition t-shirts, and Casey felt it was important to see things firsthand and to show moral support for the people of Ukraine.
As part of their longtime support of veterans and workers’ rights, Dropkick Murphys launched their tour with a performance on the National Mall in Washington, DC as part of the Unite for Veterans, Unite for America rally this past June 6 (the anniversary of D-Day).
Building on the band’s longtime relationship with the Boston Red Sox, last month DKM fans enjoyed a night of fun during Dropkick Murphys night at Fenway Park. A portion of ticket proceeds benefitted Dropkick Murphys' official charity, The Claddagh Fund, which has raised over $20 million to support non-profit organizations that are focused on children, veterans and addiction recovery.
Now Dropkick Murphys are on the road with Bad Religion through August 17. Visit https://dropkickmurphys.com/tour/ for current Dropkick Murphys’ tour dates.
For The People--the band’s 13th studio album--includes the current lineup of Ken Casey (vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals), Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, vocals), James Lynch (guitars, vocals), Kevin Rheault (bass) and Campbell Webster (bagpipes and Uilleann pipes).
“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,” says Casey. 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.”
Casey pays tribute to the grandfather who raised him on “Chesterfields And Aftershave” and “The Big Man” is an ode to Pennywise guitarist Fletcher Dragge. “Streetlights” is a reflection on Casey’s father’s passing when Ken was only 8 years old.
“I never thought that I would write a song about the day my Dad died,” admits the frontman, “but sometimes, like a lot of our songs, suddenly the right words or the right way to say it will pop into my head. And it's like, ‘OK, well, now it's time to tell that story.’”
Billy Bragg provides guest vocals on DKM’s cover of Ewan MacColl’s “School Days Over” – coincidentally, a favorite of Bragg’s. “Billy's become a great friend,” says Casey. “It’s inspiring how he's carried on the protest singer legacy. He really walks the walk.”
Longtime band co-vocalist Al Barr, on hiatus from DKM since 2022, came back to guest on “The Vultures Circle High.”
“Al is still taking time off for family,” says Casey, “but he’s still part of our family, so we thought it would be nice to have his voice on this record.”
Track listing:
Who’ll Stand With Us?
Longshot (feat. The Scratch)
The Big Man
Chesterfields And Aftershave
Bury The Bones (feat. The Mary Wallopers)
Kids Games
Sooner Kill ‘Em First
Fiending For The Lies
Streetlights
School Days Over (feat. Billy Bragg)
The Vultures Circle High (feat. Al Barr)
One Last Goodbye “Tribute To Shane” (feat. The Scratch)
DropkickMurphys.com
Longshot (feat. The Scratch)
The Big Man
Chesterfields And Aftershave
Bury The Bones (feat. The Mary Wallopers)
Kids Games
Sooner Kill ‘Em First
Fiending For The Lies
Streetlights
School Days Over (feat. Billy Bragg)
The Vultures Circle High (feat. Al Barr)
One Last Goodbye “Tribute To Shane” (feat. The Scratch)
DropkickMurphys.com