By Chyrisse Tabone, Rock At Night Tampa
Live Review: Dropkick Murphys with The Menzingers and Teenage Bottlerocket – The Baycare Sound, Clearwater, FL – March 8, 2025
Nothing says “Revolution for the Working Class” and “St. Patrick’s Day” like a Dropkick Murphys concert—especially at this time in the U.S. We have reviewed their shows in Detroit, New England, and Florida through the years. Hence, I knew this would be a kick in the pants and a roaring, fun evening to energize the soul. The band is on their St. Patrick’s Tour with The Menzingers and Teenage Bottlerocket. As soon as the tour was announced, Rock At Night was “all over this bad boy.”
On the evening of March 8th, I rolled into the Baycare Sound, Clearwater, Florida, wearing my Temple Bar t-shirt, olive pants, and green leather jacket. As I entered the venue, dozens of Gen X’ers wore band t-shirts (DKM, The Misfits, The Bombpops) paired with kilts and Doc Martens. The Sound usually has seating; but, last night, the area was general admission, encompassing concrete, Astroturf, and the lawn. Patrons were encouraged to bring blankets, so I threw a towel in my camera bag. The area was open in case circle pits and moshing might happen. Trust me, this was no crowd surfing crowd as most people were in their 40s and 50s. Just sayin’.
Starting at 7 p.m. was Wyoming-based Teenage Bottlerocket. I have been wanting to see the band for years! Rock At Night reviewed one of their Tampa shows in 2015, and the review was stupendous. The band came out on fire, jumping and head-banging. It was like being at the Vans Warped Tour all over again. I really appreciated their brand of punk music, which sounds traditional (“Fatso Goes Nutzoid”), Ramones-esque (“Radio”), but also 90s pop-punk (“Freak Out!” and “Bloodbath At Burger King”). They even performed Ramones’ classic “Blitzkrieg Bop.”
Singer and guitarist Ray Carlisle spoke to the punters, “I gotta’ be honest. We’re all 40-something years old now,” and poked fun at the “old” people standing in the back. He summoned the crowd to create a circle pit—and a few did near the front of the stage. Performers in Florida are often frustrated by the lack of audience participation and the blind stares they receive.
He continued, “We’re going to forget how old we are and everybody do this shit for 30 seconds,” and he motioned for people to jump at the 52-second song “Bottlerocket.”
I adored the band’s set and will try to see them again—should they even want to come to Florida!
After a short break, the Philadelphia punk band The Menzingers performed a very energetic show. Singer/guitarist Tom May was wearing a suit, which didn’t stop him from jumping around frenetically. I always love it when punk or garage rock bands, like The Hives, put on a kick-ass show wearing suits that Holiday Inn house bands used to wear. Again, these guys perform punky alt-rock with a Celtic twist (“Irish Goodbyes”) and music with lyrics that speak to us (“There’s No Place in the World for Me” and (“America [You’re Freaking Me Out]”).
While the bands were breaking down and setting up for DKM, I noticed a group of concertgoers near the barricade wearing “Make America Great Again” hats and other MAGA attire. Ironically, they would be at a DKM concert, a band that touts the labor class and values of the people. The band released an album of Woody Guthrie’s music entitled This Machine Still Kills Fascists and made a documentary film about working-class music, This Machine Rising. Nevertheless, seeing them gave me an uneasy feeling. The police and security presence during last night’s show was heavier than usual.
At approximately 9 pm9 pm and with piss and vinegar, Dropkick Murphys rip-roared on stage performing “Captain Kelly’s Kitchen” and “The Boys Are Back.” Between Ken Casey jumping to shake hands with the audience and the band members moving constantly, playing mandolins, tin whistles, accordions—you name it—it was a wild ride. They were great in 2022, but this show set the voltage meter off the scale. It was the perfect escape and release from all the news fatigue we have endured the past week.
During the concert, Casey announced a raffle that supports KiDS NEED MoRE, a charity that assists children & families coping with cancer, serious illness, and other traumatic situations. I saw a video on Instagram of Casey holding puppies up for adoption. The band performed at a sold-out show in Wisconsin and promoted underdogpetrescue.org. Now, we have another reason to love these guys!
There is too much to write about the concert and the joy it brought the crowd. Songs like “Johnny, I Hardly New Ya” and “Stand With Us” have new meanings. “Worker’s Song” should be the anthem for us worker bees—and not for ones who skate by on nepotism and daddy’s money.
EPILOGUE: Rock At Night had to leave before the show was over but the Dropkick Murphys had a video on Instagram. Ken Casey made a wager with a MAGA person in the audience. He announced that DKM t-shirts are all proudly made in America. He offered the Trumper $100 and a shirt if his shirt was made in America. Well, a security person checked the tag and it said, “Made in Nicaragua.” Touche! So, the Trumper removed his shirt and Casey handed him a DKN t-shirt.
PHOTO GALLERY
Dropkick Murphys are: Ken Casey (lead vocals), Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals), Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals), Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, and vocals), James Lynch (guitars and vocals), and Kevin Rheault (bass). Joining the band for their live shows is bagpiper and multi-instrumentalist Campbell Webster.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: www.DropkickMurphys.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DropkickMurphys
Instagram: www.instagram.com/dropkickmurphys
Twitch: www.twitch.tv/dropkickmurphys
Twitter: www.twitter.com/DropkickMurphys
YouTube: www.youtube.com/DropkickMurphys
I grew up in a household full of rock music, studied journalism in college, and then became a scientist.Although my science career has served me well, music has always played a major role in my life. I grew up reading "Creem" magazine; I play several musical instruments as a "hobby";and it seems a camera has always been in my hand. Now, I am combining what I love the most--music and photography--serving as editor of Rock At Night. I travel between the US and UK seeking my dream! My motto: life is short...no regrets. Chyrisse
- Dropkick Murphys & friends celebrate punk and working class pride in Clearwater, Florida - March 10, 2025
- Rock History: When Alice Cooper was banned - February 26, 2025
- Chatting with UK musician Wille Edwards of Wille & the Bandits - February 19, 2025
