Posted on March 4, 2010 - by Editor

Review- Flogging Molly -Live At The Greek Theatre

Flogging Molly are a band that I have seen play across different sized venues and in different countries, for me personally they have never failed to impress as a live band. I have seen them endure some horrible sound problems at festivals and tackle smaller venues in support slots but their gradual rise in prominence in my opinion has been deserved based on the tenacity and passion they have always shows on stage and the quality of the songs they have delivered over the years. Even meeting the guys they are as humble as you would expect and appreciative of any support.

Now my glowing appraisal is not a kiss ass response, it’s honestly my opinion and I was pretty excited with the news and release of their DVD “Live at the Greek Theatre”, which was recorded late last year, September 12 2009 at the legendary theatre in Los Angeles. The DVD is directed by Kevin Custer and covers the entire 90 minute set shot with 8 high definition cameras including a jib crane and the audio was mixed by Grammy award winning engineer Ryan Hewitt, who co-produced the band’s recent release ‘Float’

I was only privy to the pre realise version of the DVD, which did not include the additional footage and bonus features such as interviews but focussed on the live set and based on that alone I was mightily impressed with the quality, sound and clarity of the entire production and performance. A lot of “punk” DVD’s do ironically suffer from the DIY approach and the finished product can be lacking; this is by no means comes across as s small budget or unprofessional attempt to reproduce the band in its live glory.

Arguably Flogging Molly have a broader appeal than bands such as Dropkick Murphys and neither neglect their Irish and Celtic roots and from the start where Dave King says “Good evening Los Angeles, we’re Flogging Molly and this is what we do” to a packed out crowd and start off with ‘The Likes Of You Again’, recognisable Nathan Maxwell on bass and Dave’s wife Bridget Regan on violin along with the rest of the cohorts all eager to stoke the frenzied night alive. The crowd at the stage front/circle pit look oddly subdued at the beginning of the set but as the show goes on the intensity of the performance and the crowd reaction moves up many a notch. (For anyone that has had the pleasure of being at a Flogging Molly show and worn the bruises of the chaotic mess of bodies and sweat that erupts you know what I mean.)

The predominantly blue lit backdrop and the choice of angles and again the crispness of it all, literally do place you on the scene, and the band plays a set list which includes tracks off all of their albums, with a healthy dose of “Float” included. There are sing alongs, and drinking, and banter and drinking, Flogging Molly despite the size of the venue they perform in for the benefit of this DVD; have always managed to carry the bar-room environment to any arena and venue.

Dave is at ease at the front of the large stage and introduces songs such as ‘Drunken Lullabies” as a dedication to banjo/mandolin player Bob Schmidt’s uncle and shares a bit of football (soccer) banter too. They perform an acoustic set, which they claim they have not done before in California on the number ‘Us Of Lesser Gods’ and Dave dedicates ‘The Lightning Storm’ to Johnny Cash who died six years to the day of the performance.

My favourite section of the set is in the last third as they perform probably my favourite songs bar one, with ‘Rebel Of The Sacred Heart’, ‘Devils Dance Floor’ and ‘If I Ever Leave This World Alive’ which also encapsulate the appreciation, emotion and ferocity of the band. My classic Flogging Molly favourite ‘What’s Left Of The Flag’ is performed as well as I can remember live.

The band departs and returns to an encore of “Ole ole ole” and end off the night with a trilogy of ‘The Wrong Company/The Story So Far’ and finally ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ to a cheering applauding and brimming crowd.

The band always seem to enjoy what they do no matter how many times they have played these same songs and  do so with impassioned meaning through their strumming, pounding and singing on stage. If you are not familiar with the band, this is a perfect introduction, to fans core and peripheral alike; this is an excellent addition to your collection as the band has hardly sounded better and none of the electric live atmosphere is lost in transmission.