WI’m no expert when it comes to Celtic/Irish anything since I’m not of Irish heritage. I have (however) been listening to my fair share of Celtic-influenced music. Everyone likes The Pogues, but a record I’ve really been digging lately is from the Boston, Massachusetts based Celtic folk-punk band the Swaggerin’ Growlers. As to be expected, the band uses traditional Celtic instrumentation like fiddles, tin whistles, accordions, and mandolins accompanied by a fast-paced punk rock rhythm section and rough-edged vocals. Sorta like Flogging Molly or (perhaps even) the Dropkick Murphys.
I’d been meaning to post this for awhile now, but I was reminded that I needed to post about this album after unearthing “Fairytale Of New York” from my library of Christmas songs. Anyhow, The Swaggerin’ Growlers’ debut album The Bottle And The Bow is fast, frenetic, and just plain fun. As to be expected, it is great music to down a pint to and drown your sorrows with and also great for jigging around the living room. So by the boys and girls another round and and stumble out onto the dance floor.
NOTE: Songs below don’t seem to be streaming. You can D/L and listen, but I’m in Pennsylvania right now so deal with it.
MP3 | Swaggerin’ Growlers – Barley Boys The Bottle And The Bow
MP3 | Swaggerin’ Growlers – Dover Tenement The Bottle And The Bow
the MP3 links don’t seem to work—excited to hear them.
Hey there, I’m Chestnut, the new(ish) drummer for the Growlers. Sucks that the stream isn’t working, but you can hear some of our stuff on our myspace page.
http://www.myspace.com/theswaggeringrowlers
Thanks for the kind words. We drink and play our hearts out and it’s always nice to know that someone’s listening.
cnut