Commentary: Boston Irish punk band the Dropkick Murphys could pass for Proud Boys. But look again.

by

For thirty years, the Dropkick Murphys have been known for their energetic Boston Irish Celtic punk, attracting a devoted fanbase of fans with tattoos who love to mosh. However, they recently gained a surprising new audience: people watching C-SPAN.

Those following the House hearing last month where former Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith testified learned shocking details about the accusations against President Trump regarding the 2020 election and the January 6th riot. However, the hearing also featured a memorable moment from former D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, who was present wearing a Dropkick Murphys T-shirt with the slogan “Fighting Nazis Since 1996.”

Let me tell you, seeing Officer Fanone in that courtroom was something. He was right behind Smith, easy to spot in a Dropkick Murphys tee. You could feel his frustration whenever the Republicans tried to downplay the January 6th attack or shift the blame. He didn’t hold back – let’s just say there were a few audible expletives and some very expressive hand gestures. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if Dropkick Murphys saw a sudden boost in sales after that day – it was a powerful visual statement.

The band’s success with their merchandise happened unexpectedly, according to lead singer Ken Casey. They didn’t actively promote the shirts, but still managed to sell around 6,000 of them within a week. Currently, the shirt is popular enough that it’s temporarily out of stock and available for back order.

Casey, with a strong Boston accent reminiscent of the movie “The Departed” or a Ben Affleck Dunkin’ commercial, often combines music and political commentary. He’s publicly criticized MAGA’s policies on immigration, its use of racist language, and what he sees as attacks on working people. The band also announced they’re ending their relationship with Wasserman Music, due to the agency’s founder being linked to the Epstein files.

Casey spoke with The Times about challenging MAGA through the rebellion of punk rock.

The Dropkick Murphys’ “Fighting Nazis Since 1996” T-shirt has become popular recently after being seen on Capitol Hill, worn by Harry Fanone. Fanone has been a vocal opponent of attempts to downplay the events of January 6th, and he shared his experiences testifying before the House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol.

Ken Casey shared that Michael has been a friend for a long time – he was at the band’s very first show back in 1996. Casey admires Michael’s genuine support, noting it’s more than just words; Michael consistently shows up to events and actively supports the band.

But why is it important for the Dropkick Murphys to speak out? You’ve no doubt lost fans.

It’s difficult to admit, but sometimes the best way to challenge the MAGA movement is to reflect their tactics back at them. They often portray themselves as heroic defenders against outsiders, using whatever divisive labels they can think of. However, figures like Michael Fanone and groups like the Dropkick Murphys seem to genuinely infuriate them, because it shatters their expectations of who should agree with them. It’s as if they can’t comprehend opposition from someone they thought was ‘one of them,’ forgetting a time when they themselves might have held different views before being influenced by misinformation.

It’s a bit risky for us to speak out politically because some of our fans might be drawn to the MAGA movement. However, there’s a large group of people who aren’t heavily involved in politics – they just hear bits and pieces about the candidates and feel confused about what’s true. That’s where voices like mine can make a difference. I’m just a regular American citizen, not a politician or someone with a financial stake in the outcome, so people might be more willing to listen to my perspective.

Plus, a lot of new fans are finding your music now, either for the first time or through movies like “The Departed,” where they heard your song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.”

We’ve seen a resurgence in fans, and our shows feel urgent and meaningful again, like the early days of punk. We’re reaching new listeners too – people who wouldn’t normally listen to punk or come to our concerts are now expressing their support for what we do, showing solidarity with the band. And for our longtime fans, it’s reignited their passion, and we’ve even reconnected with some who hadn’t been with us for a while.

You know, as a huge movie buff, I often think about artists taking risks, and it makes me wonder what I’d tell fellow creatives who are hesitant to use their platform to address things they believe are wrong. Honestly, I’d say it’s incredibly brave to stay silent, but sometimes, speaking up – even if it’s scary – is the most important thing you can do. It’s about using your voice, and if you have a platform, you have a responsibility, I think, to stand up for what you believe in. It’s not always easy, but silence can be just as damaging.

We’ve faced all sorts of threats and attempts to cancel us, so we want to encourage others who are staying quiet for fear of similar drama to speak up. Don’t be intimidated! The negativity mostly comes from a small, vocal group online – often bots and people being paid to stir things up. Don’t let anyone silence your voice.

This year’s Grammy Awards featured numerous acceptance speeches criticizing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, suggesting growing opposition among musicians to the policies of the Trump administration.

It’s shocking that it took reports of ICE agents killing people to finally spark widespread outrage, but we’re starting to see a growing wave of protest fueled by frustration and a growing understanding of the situation. We’re also noticing a shift in attitudes, judging by the backlash we’re receiving. While some will remain loyal no matter what – even in the face of blatant wrongdoing – many others are quietly beginning to disassociate themselves from the previous administration’s policies and actions.

Historically, the Dropkick Murphys have consistently used their music to address important issues in the United States.

From the very beginning, our first album addressed how Reagan weakened unions and increased the gap between the rich and poor – it’s a theme we’ve consistently explored. We’ve always supported social justice and shown up to support workers on picket lines. While we’ve always cared about these issues, things have changed. Before Trump, we didn’t need to actively highlight these views on social media, but the current climate demands it.

Republicans successfully adopted the image of working-class white men, and many people accepted it. While a segment of the population holds extreme views and found an outlet through the MAGA movement, a larger group was simply misled by false information and inflammatory language.

Your band is part of a new initiative aimed at getting more punk bands to speak truth to power.

Dropkick Murphys, Michael Fanone, and the band Rise Against have teamed up under the name Down for the Cause. This collaboration aims to keep punk rock from being associated with inaction and silence. They want to encourage people to speak out against unacceptable behavior, not necessarily by supporting specific candidates, but by making their voices heard. They’re also stressing the importance of voting, believing that greater voter turnout in the last election could have prevented the current problems.

Your band just released a new song, “Citizen I.C.E.” But is it new?

So, the song’s actually been around for twenty years! Originally, it was called “Citizen CIA” and it was this satirical take on a CIA recruitment ad – basically, it was making fun of the agency’s history and the trouble they’ve caused. We’ve reworked it now to be about ICE, with some pretty harsh lines like “Too scared to join the military, too dumb to be a cop.” It’s going to be released on a split album called “New England Forever” with this cool young band from Boston, Haywire. And right now, we’re actually on tour with them – it’s called the “For The People…In the Pit St. Patrick’s Day Tour.” It’s been a blast!

What do you say to people who say shut up and sing.

I understand that people, even those who don’t support Trump, don’t want to hear lecturing. However, I believe we’re facing a crisis, and anyone with a platform needs to speak up.

Read More

2026-02-12 01:33