Compared to the other bands examined on this site, the Dropkick Murphys are probably the most guilty of exploiting Irish culture for their own self benefit. Following in the paths of bands like the Pogues, the Dropkick Murphy’s are notorious for their appropriation of traditional Irish music. The band, which was founded in Massachusetts, is made up entirely of American nationals.
Some of their most scathing critics mark their adoption of fake (and poorly done) Irish accents, and their heavy handed use of violence and alcoholism to portray Irish life through a punk lens. Their treatment of the Irish lifestyle is both narrow and stereotypical, and their popularity has only served to negatively reinforce assumptions about Irish life among American consumers.
Their adherence to the “everyone is a little Irish” mentality has made them a favorite of US listeners, who associate the band with drunken St. Patrick’s Day escapades and Boston pride. The machismo and swagger which dominates their stage presence represents a mishmash of working class Irishman caricatures the likes of which have unfortunately come to dominate the international stage. As a result, ethnically Irish bands often find it difficult to achieve popularity outside of their home country because they don’t adhere to the image that the Dropkick Murphys have popularized.
Their sound represents political incorrectness and rebellion while still appealing to Irish-American heritage with “songs of the homeland.” Their contributions to the Irish music scene are largely negligible, with their uninspired covers using brashness and volume to disguise simplistic rehashings of popular Irish ballads.
The band has been extremely vocal about their political leanings, and is known for their ardent support of American unions. They clashed with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in 2015 when they condemned his use of their song “Shipping Up To Boston,” citing their political differences with the phrase “we literally hate you!” However, the band has never let their support of labor movements interfere with their own commercial benefit, licensing the aforementioned song to be used by sports teams, breweries, and TV shows.
The Dropkick Murphys represent an unfortunate amalgamation of false Irish nationalism and false punk rhetoric that has, somehow, catapulted them to the forefront of the Irish music scene. At least in the eyes of the American consumer, the Dropkick Murphys remain the “quintessential” Irish band.
The Commercialization of Irish Music