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FLOGGING MOLLY
by Lisa Sharer
Photos by Jenn Alexander
From the May 2007 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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 Flogging Molly are (L-R) Dennis Casey, Matt Hensley, Bob Schmidt, Dave King,
Bridget Regan, Nathen Maxwell, and George Schwindt. (Photo by Jim Wright) |
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"I didn't have any clue of the success we would have," says Dennis Casey,
on guitar and backing vocals for Flogging Molly. Now a household name,
this Irish pub band has gone from playing the same bar every Monday
night to internationally acclaimed punk outfit. Their fan base stretches across all
walks of life, from housewife to skinhead; the traditional yet innovative Celtic
sound bends the ear of all willing to hear.
This seven-piece ensemble met and formed at a local L.A. Irish pub called
Molly Malone's. After playing there every week for some time, they properly
named themselves Flogging Molly. Influenced by lead singer Dave King's heritage,
their music has been deemed Celtic punk or jig punk. Also influenced by
country twang legends and other bands of their genre, Flogging Molly has a
unique sound that comes alive in every song. Whether it's a more solemn song
or a fast tempo hit, every tune they play further separates them from the herd.
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 Bob Schmidt (banjo) |
 Dave King (vocals/acoustic guitar) |
 Nathen Maxwell (bass) |
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When it comes to body art, the fans seem to be much more colorful than
the band. Some members have only a few, and others are a bit too shy to show
them all. The ones that we did see had important significance to their owners.
Casey tells us that, "for me, all the ones I have are special—tattoos that mean a
lot to me.Also, I have friends who are tattoo artists. I believe in them as an artist
and I like what they do.That’s the impact that [tattoos] have on me." His tattoos
are dedicated to both his mother and his wife.
Nathen Maxwell, on bass, teased the camera with only a few pieces of his
extensive work. His tattoos included the word “solidarity” which he picked up
on the Van's Warped Tour and a tattoo to commemorate this year's St. Patrick's Day
tour. A sea of musicians came flooding out the back door of the venue when the tour
tattoo was mentioned. Members of Flogging Molly, and the Street Dogs had Rob
Hostetter from Iron Brush Tattoo in Lincoln, Nebr. tattoo a small design on them that
would celebrate the 2007 Green 17 Tour.
The Green 17 Tour is a St. Patrick’s Day tour that Flogging Molly has made an annual
event. "It started because a lot of people were asking, 'Why don't you play in Atlanta
for St. Patrick's Day? Why don't you play in L.A?...' So we were like, alright, why don’t
we just do a tour?" says Casey. Every year Flogging Molly hits seventeen major cities to
celebrate the drunken holiday with all their fans. What better music to listen to when
drinking green beer and wearing giant leprechaun hats?
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 Matt Hensley (accordion) |
 Bridget Regan (fiddle) and Dave King |
 Dennis Casey (guitar) |
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A bonus from this year's tour is an iTunes exclusive EP
that Flogging Molly has released for you music downloaders.
The Complete Control Sessions is a recording of an
acoustic set that the band did in the Complete Control Radio studio. This EP includes
four old favorites and two new songs. Released only a few months ago, fans are already
screaming the web music's praises.
When asked what it their biggest challenge to date, Casey replied, "Not to take this
the wrong way, but I would say at this point, staying together." In reality, this band has
been together for ten years, and we all know that many of our favorite bands look for
other creative outlets after some time. Not to worry, though, this is not the plan for
Flogging Molly. "It's not that we're going to break up, but that's the only challenge left.
We have a certain amount of success.We have a lot of the things that we want, and we
were working for. I think now we just have to stay together and keep writing music.The
shows, I think we'll always play, that's not much of a challenge. I think the live thing is
what this band is all about."
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 Matt Hensley (accordion) and Bridget Regan (fiddle) |
 Bob Schmidt |
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Therefore, if you haven't seen Flogging
Molly live, you haven’t really heard Flogging
Molly. This is the kind of band that puts on
one of those amazing shows. Their energy
and passion for their music emanates out
through the crowd, and causes a shaky terrain
of unsteady ground. Even in the nosebleed
seats, you’ll find fans jumping and
singing along with every song. Casey attributes
this to the fact that, "I think that Dave
writes really good songs.We go pretty much
full bar every time we play live and give it all
we've got. I think with that combination of
things that people enjoy it."
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