*You're planning another ‘traditional' St Patrick's Day weekend-'o-gigs. From all reports these weekends always seem to be quite crazy. Is this partly why you continue to do them?
Yeah, it's usually an insane time...mostly for us because every member of all our families and all our friends ring us off the hook to get in on the guest list--and then we of course try to entertain them and make them comfortable backstage as they drink all our booze before we can get to it.
I guess it's also become a tradition for people to fly in from around the world to Boston that weekend and make a time of it. From all accounts, it's a huge party and oh what a hangover it makes for!!!
It's also nice because we can showcase some of our favorites among local greats as well as international acts such as Beerzone and (my personal faves) Superyob.
* You've been touring around the States quite a bit on the back of ‘Blackout' - how has that tour gone?
It's been absolutely great. Although we've been dipping into the old catalogue for such songs as 'Regular Guy', 'John Law', etc., people seem to be taking to the new album well, and songs like 'The Workers' Song' go down a storm...plus, we've gotten to tour with such friends' bands as the Kings of Nuthin', the Unseen, Ducky Boys, Blood For Blood, etc.

* Scruffy Wallace is the newest ‘Dropkick' having only been in the band for less than a year, how has he settled into the band?
He's settled in just fine, aside from the fact that he's Canadian(haha). He's the best piper we've ever worked with.

* What is your opinion on message boards and the internet in general? Do you think it helps ‘the scene' or that it contaminates it?
I think the idea of a message board is great as far as sharing opinions, information, contacting people from other regions, countries, etc. The idea of it 'helping' the scene is tricky. On one hand, it exposes whichever scene it purveys to more people than would see it/experience it normally. On the other hand, it can tend to gentrify the scene and blow things out of proportion before responsible parties can take credit/own up to their actions. I'd say the internet and messageboards are a double-edged sword.

* DKM fans seem to be really quite fanatical about the band. What is it, do you think, about the band that illicits such a passionate response from people?
I'm not sure. Maybe the fact that we're for real and don't hide behind makeup, funny haircuts, or controversy. With us, what you see is what you get. A bunch of guys playing songs that some people can relate to on one level or another.... Other people might proffer other opinions on the matter, but I think just that we stand behind what we say and do, and always stick to our guns on issues.

* You have quite an arsenal of traditional Celtic instruments at your disposal now in the band (especially since Ryan joined the band) - is it nice not having to rely on mates to help out in the studio anymore?
Actually, Ryan left the band to pursue a career in recording bands(he's very good at that, too). He's working on his own studio in Cleveland, and it should be up-and-running soon. Our pal Tim Brennan has taken over on the 'minstrel' instruments, and fits the mold well.
It definitely is nice to bring across live what we do on albums, and not have to rely on 'studio magic' anymore...We thought it was sort of cheating the fans to not bring the albums' sounds to the stage.
 
* What's up next for you guys?
Well, we're leaving for tour in Europe and the UK this weekend for 3 weeks...including playing to 60.000 people at the Glasgow Celtic match. When we get home, there's the Paddy's Day festivities, a few gigs in California w/Blood for Blood and the Ducky Boys, and off to Australia for 4 gigs, including one with our idols ROSE TATTOO. I'm shitting myself just thinking of playing with the Tatts!!!! It should be a quick winter and spring for us...

* Anything else to add?
Yeah: the interview and interest in general in our band is greatly appreciated. If people want more info on the Dropkick Murphys, please go to www.dropkickmurphys.com . Thanks very much.

Matt Kelly, Dropkick Murphys

-interviewd by Fiona and Dominique-