Dropkick Murphys – This Machine Still Kills Fascists

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Dropkick Murphys are one of those rarities in the American music scene, a staunchly left-wing band, which in American terms means pro Unions and voting either Democratic Party or Green party.

Like Rage Against the Machine, they have suffered from fair-weather fans being offended when they sing ’political’ songs, with the release of their 11th album This Machine Still Kills Fascists, they once again wear their colours on their shirts sleeves channelling the words and ideals of a true American Socialist and pioneering folk singer, Woody Guthrie.

Dropkick Murphys

Ken Casey (one of two) vocalist (and bassist in the band) contemporises Woody Guthrie as the original punk, “He went against the grain, he fought the good fight, he spoke up and sang about his beliefs.” The band were approached by Woody’s daughter Nora Guthrie (who also co-produced the album) over a decade ago with the idea of letting the band curate a bunch of unfinished or scraps of Guthrie songs (mirroring the Wilco/Billy Bragg project of two decades ago) But opportunity to record was missing until 2021 when the other vocalist in the band Al Barr was side lined from touring for family reasons, and they could spend time in the studio.

Don’t expect This Machine Still Kills Fascists to be Dropkick Murphys unplugged, while they claim this is an acoustic guitar only album, the Gaelic passion and punk energy that are signatures of the band is still evident. What makes this a unique album is the personal history of the American Muse that has inspired and driven the band to travel another path, creatively.

This Machine Still Kills Fascists storm through the line of (anti-union) scabs with Two 6’s Upside Down in a chugging acoustic guitar manner, very much in the style of The Violent Femmes and dare I say our very own Delaney Davidson. Easily a highlight, and an obvious lead single, with the accompanying video clip shows the band performing while gathered around the Woody Guthrie statue in Okemah, Oklahoma (his hometown)

The bands punk energy level is maintained, the Gaelic influences introduced and the serious ‘Fascist Killing’ travels through the next two songs, Talking Jukebox and Ten Times More, both serious toe tappers. But, well I must be getting long in the tooth, but when the accordion dominated, Pogues-ish ballad Never Git Drunk No More, with guest vocalist Nikki Lane gets going its’ romance-tinged story of alcoholism and sex, you can’t help but have your heart strings tugged a little

Halfway through album and we are reminded about Dropkick Murphys Union credentials and Woody Guthrie’s Working Class Struggles on All You Fonies (sure to be a live favourite “All You Fonies (bound to lose)” as the singalong) and The Last One which features Evan Felker from the Turnpike Troubadours and special appearance by Woody’s grandson Cole Quest on Dobro guitar.

I’m not one to let (all) the cats out of the bag, so I’ll leave Cadillac, Cadillac, Waters Are A’risin & Where Trouble Is At for you discover when you get YOUR copy of This Machine Still Kills Fascists, do not fret you are in safe hands with Woody, Nora and the Murphys at the helm, because the best mash up comes last.

Penultimate song Dig a Hole is built around a Smithsonian Folkways recording of Woody Guthrie’s very own vocals. “Mr. Hitler, Mr. Hitler/Tell me what are you going to do” – It is an almost retort back to Two 6’s Upside Down with its’ punk-energised rhythm and double duel of vocals between Woody Guthrie & Ken Casey and James lynch & Cole Quest on guitar.

This Machine Still Kills Fascists is definitely not your run of the mill album by Dropkick Murphys, and it’s by no means perfect, but as their 11th album, it seems a perfect time to step outside of their comfort zone and revisit and re-energise the legend of Woody Guthrie. In an America (almost) in crisis, Woody and the Murphys sing a solution to the countries woes “… Tell me what are you going to do… dig a hole in the meadow, gonna lay you fascists down”

Simon Coffey

 

Simon Coffey
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