Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Thursday, March 28

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


Transmission
« Contest: Dipset @ the Congress! New Sounds From Tiger Bones »

Review Mon Feb 28 2011

Review: Dropkick Murphys/Naked Raygun @ Congress Theater

Dropkick Murphys_1_GB.jpg
Al Barr of Dropkick Murphys (Photos by Katie Hovland)

It doesn't take much urging for Chicagoans to boast their Irish pride, love for good music ans appreciation of cold beer. The same can be said for Boston-based punk rockers the Dropkick Murphys. So it's no surprise that these two collectives meshed Saturday night at the Congress Theater. Celebrating the release of their seventh studio album, Going Out In Style, this Tuesday and more than 15 years of being a band, Dropkick Murphys plowed through a 90-minute set with relentless energy.

But before the spectacle that was the Dropkick Murphys took the stage, attendees were graced with a performance from iconic members of the Chicago punk scene Naked Raygun. Since Naked Raygun's official reunion in 2006, fans that first fell in love with the band thirty years ago have been given another chance to see and hear classics like "Surf Combat" and "Wonder Beer" played live.

Naked Raygun _GB.jpg
Naked Raygun's Jeff Pezzati (Photos by Katie Hovland)

Naked Raygun's performance was, in a word, modest. The band's simple guitars, amps, drum kit stage set-up seemed to be swallowed up on Congress's massive stage. Frontman Jeff Pezzati was incredibly rigid until about four songs into the band's set when he finally ditched his leather jacket and stepped out from behind the mic stand. This was the point at which Pezzati began playing to the crowd rather than simply in front of it.

Naked Raygun's execution of each of their surfer rock via Midwestern punk jams was dead on in a technical and musical sense, however there was a considerable amount of difference between the first two or three songs of their night and the concluding two or three songs of the band's set. The longer Naked Raygun played, the more momentum they gained.

Dropkick Murphys_3_GB.jpg
Jeff DaRosa of Dropkick Murphys (Photos by Katie Hovland)

If Naked Raygun's set could be described as modest, Dropkick Murphys' should be considered anything but. The band exploded onto the stage just after 9:45 complete with its full lineup consisting of traditional punk instrumentation, as well as Celtic additions such as bagpipe player Josh "Scruffy" Wallace and banjoist/mandolin player Jeff DaRosa. The band even welcomed five-piece, Boston-area mates theParkington Sisters to the stage to round out the bands string and vocal areas. The band's rotating cast of musicians, series of gigantic stage banners and impressive light show made for a highly entertaining set indeed.

The band's striking energy was unwavering throughout the entirety of its set. Drummer Matt Kelly kept his bandmates marching along with an intense ferocity and singer Al Barr's unmistakable growl and manic stage antics refused to let audience members take a breather. It's safe to say that no one present at Saturday's show — band and audience members alike — was short on energy. Barr's presence was hardly needed for songs like "Barroom Hero," save for the deafening vocals provided by the crowd.

Dropkick Murphys_4_GB.jpg
Josh "Scruffy" Wallace (Photos by Katie Hovland)

Dropkick Murphys happily showcased new tunes off Going Out In Style including a heartfelt tribute to family ("Cruel") and the album's title track, a woeful lament that begs for a sing-a-long. However, there were still plenty of classics spanning the Murphys' discography that got playtime throughout the night. Songs like "The State of Massachusetts," which featured some impressive banjo riffing on the part of DaRosa, threw the crowd into a frenzy.

"Hail, hail, the gang's all here/Leave your worries at the door, boy. They're not going anywhere," sang Barr during the aptly named "The Gang's All Here" at Saturday night's show. This was the overall sentiment for the night — when you're surrounded by good pals and great music, what is there to worry about?

 
GB store
GB store

Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

Our Final Transmission Days

By The Gapers Block Transmission Staff

Transmission staffers share their most cherished memories and moments while writing for Gapers Block.

Read this feature »

Blogroll

  Chicago Music Media

Alarm Magazine
BackStage
Big Rock Candy Mountain
Boxx Magazine
Brooklyn Vegan Chicago
Can You See The Sunset From The Southside
Chicago Reader Music
Chicagoist Arts & Events
ChicagoMusic.org
Chicago Music Guide
Chicago Singles Club
CHIRP
Country Music Chicago
Cream Team
Dark Jive
Daytrotter
The Deli Chicago
Jim DeRogatis
Do312
Fake Shore Drive
Gowhere Hip Hop
Gridface
The Hood Internet
Innerview
Jaded in Chicago
Largehearted Boy
Little White Earbuds
Live Fix Blog
Live Music Blog
Loud Loop Press
Oh My Rockness
Pop 'stache
Pitchfork
Pop Matters
Resident Advisor
Songs:Illinois
Sound Opinions
Sun-Times Music Blog
Theft Liable to Prosecution
Tribune Music
UR Chicago
Victim Of Time
WFMU's Beware of the Blog
Windy City Rock

  Venues:

Abbey Pub
Andy's Jazz Club
Aragon Ballroom
Auditorium Theatre
Beat Kitchen
B.L.U.E.S
Bottom Lounge
Buddy Guy's Legends
The Burlington
California Clipper
Concord Music Hall
Congress Theater
Constellation
Cubby Bear
Double Door
Elbo Room
Empty Bottle
FitzGerald's
Green Mill
The Hideout
Honky Tonk BBQ
House of Blues
Kingston Mines
Lincoln Hall
Logan Square Auditorium
Martyrs'
Mayne Stage
Metro
The Mutiny
Old Town School of Folk Music
Park West
The Promontory
Red Line Tap
Reggie's Rock Club & Music Joint
The Riviera
Rosa's
Schubas
Thalia Hall
The Shrine
Smartbar
Subterranean
Symphony Center
Tonic Room
Township
Uncommon Ground
The Vic
The Whistler

  Labels, Promoters
  & Shops:

Alligator Records
Atavistic
Beverly Records
Bloodshot Records
Dave's Records
Delmark Records
Drag City
Dusty Groove
Flameshovel Records
Groove Distribution
He Who Corrupts
Hozac
Jam Productions
Jazz Record Mart
Kranky Records
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Minty Fresh
Numero Group
mP Shows
Permanent Records
Reckless Records
Smog Veil Records
Southport & Northport Records
Thick Records
Thrill Jockey Records Touch & Go/Quarterstick Records
Victory Records

GB store

Events

Featured Series














 

Transmission on Flickr

Join the Transmission Flickr Pool.


About Transmission

Transmission is the music section of Gapers Block. It aims to highlight Chicago music in its many varied forms, as well as cover touring acts performing in the city. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Sarah Brooks, sarah@gapersblock.com
Transmission staff inbox: transmission@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

Transmission Flickr Pool
 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15