While there may be nothing truly new under the sun, Flogging Molly sure does their best to come close. Take an acoustic guitar, accordion, violin, tin whistle, banjo, mandolin and some drums, and you might have a hell of a band. Add some electricity to a bass and second guitar, and with the right musicians you will have a hell of a band. One word of caution though - this band takes no prisoners when it comes to doing what they do best - belting infectious and rocking Irish-styled anthems capable of inciting riots of "Guinness-soaked" proportions.

Electric guitarist Dennis Casey was kind enough to grant the following interview during a short break in the studio, where Molly is currently recording their third studio album (a live album was also released in 1997).


XMFan: Molly was founded in 1996 by Dublin native Dave King, who was the vocalist and guitarist of British metal band Fastway in the 80's. Does Dave talk much about his musical past?
Dennis: Now and again it will come up. Sometimes someone will ask him questions and he has a few stories, but we're pretty much creating our own stories now.

XMFan: How and when did you find yourself joining the band?
Dennis: I joined in 1999. One of Dave's friends saw me playing at a pub, and they needed a guitar player. Dave came to see me play and I auditioned, then got into the band.

XMFan: Molly's accordion player is none other than pro skateboarding legend Matt Hensley. How in the world...
Dennis: Almost everyone in the band met at this bar called Molly Malone's and would play every Monday. Matt was there one night with a friend, who went up to Dave and said he had a friend who plays accordion and loves your band. Dave said he'd like to meet him, and immediately let him into the band - not knowing he was a skateboarder or anything. He was expecting to meet some big 55 year old guy who played the accordion, you know, which is what you'd expect the typical accordion player to look like.

XMFan: Tell us about your guitars of choice when you play live.
Dennis: I like to use a '74 Telecaster Deluxe. I also have a Fender Telecaster that was made in 1993, which was a special model they only made one year. I alternate between both guitars.

XMFan: Would you tell us a little about what happens behind the scenes on the Warped Tour? Is it a challenge logistically?
Dennis: The first year was really hectic - we were new, didn't know what to expect, what to do, where to go, and didn't know anyone. We were really cramped on a bus with three or four other bands - and we're a pretty big band ourselves. From that end it was difficult, but as the years have gone by - we've done it three years in a row and this year will be the fourth - it's now almost like a reunion, or like a summer camp where you hang out with all your friends. You get to play music for a half-hour and have a great time. It's gotten much easier as time has gone on.

XMFan: What is the general reaction of people who come to see you live, but have never heard the band before?
Dennis: When we first started doing the Warped Tour, I remember we would set up our own gear. I'd see kids pointing and giggling because they really didn't know what to expect, then by the second or third song people were really getting into it. Now, we've worked really hard to build a following and there's a pretty decent crowd in front of us, and they all seem to really get into it once we start.

XMFan: Which bands do you consider favorites?
Dennis: NOFX, Bouncing Souls, Rancid.

XMFan: Your albums Drunken Lullabies and Swagger were recorded and engineered by Steve Albini, who is also known for his studio work with Nirvana, Bush, and Page and Plant, to name a few. What was it like working with Steve?
Dennis: I would say working with Steve Albini was a great experience. He really knows what he's doing. He's more of an engineer than a producer - he's not so much of a guy who's involved in a typical producer's role, but captures the sound of the band mostly. He's got a great sense of humor and is really smart. It was just an all-around great experience.

XMFan: Any plans for a new album in the near future?
Dennis: We're working on it right now. (Literally) It will hopefully be out in September. Today is our second day of recording and it's going along great. There's going to be some new things - not a totally new direction for the band - but we're expanding our sound and stretching it out a little. So far it sounds like it's going to be pretty good.

XMFan: The band is in the habit of attracting and packing fans into decent-sized venues these days. Do you miss the days of playing to thirty drunks in the pub?
Dennis: No. There's a certain charm playing to a smaller crowd, but also obvious great points when you are playing to the larger crowds.

XMFan: You guys are a fan-favorite on XM's punk and ska channel Fungus. What are your feelings about the state of FM radio and its formats?
Dennis: Well, they play what they play. I don't know much about how things run at the major radio stations, though I know Clear Channel has become a big controlling force. When we are played I'm glad about that, but I'm not going to bash radio stations because they play a certain kind of music. (Pauses) I just won't listen to them. (Laughs)

XMFan: As you look back over the past few years, are you happy with the direction Flogging Molly has taken?
Dennis: Absolutely, absolutely. We couldn't have asked for a better way for things to have turned out. We started out playing in a bar every Monday, and now it has evolved into this great touring act, I guess, and we have built this fan base from zero to however many people are into the band now. You can't ask for anything more than that. It's a great way to start a career and my goal is for us to just keep doing it the way we've been doing it.


Flogging Molly can be heard on XM channels Fungus, Ethel, and XMU.

The Official Flogging Molly Website is www.floggingmolly.com.

Free Flogging Molly downloads are available at www.sideonedummy.com/bands.php?band_id=2.