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.
6020 Sports: Bill King, Vince Gennaro, Dave Zirin, Olivia Manning 10 March 2009, 10:48 am James Carville and Luke Russert begin this special edition of 60/20 Sports focusing on how the ailing economy will influence the changes in sports business activity in 2009 and beyond. Bill King, Senior writer for Sports Business Journal, examines the economics of sports, and how sports organizations and businesses are responding to the lack of revenue. Vince Gennaro, author of Diamond Dollars, consultant to the Cleveland Indians, and former executive at Pepsi, analyzes the economics of baseball, sports marketing, and how the recession has changed the game. Dave Zirin, author of "A People's History of Sports in the United States" and host of Edge of Sports Radio, discusses the historical context of this recession's effect on the sports industry reflecting on sport during the depression and throughout America's history. Olivia Manning, NFL's number one mom to both Eli and Peyton Manning, wife to Archie Manning, and proponent of making Mardi Gras a national holiday, discusses her campaign to bring national attention to the Cajun festivities celebrated with respect to Mardi Gras.
6020 Sports: Sal Paolantonio, Larry Fitzgerald, Sr., Chuck Esposito 10 March 2009, 10:48 am James Carville and Luke Russert discuss their lack of interest in the Super Bowl teams because no players are talking trash during media week. James and Luke debate the firing of the High School women's basketball coach who pummeled a neighboring high school team 100-0. Larry Fitzgerald, sports columnist for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder and father of Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr., analyzes the two teams in the Super Bowl, the relationship that his son and Kurt Warner have on the football field, why Kurt Warner's career already merits a Hall of Fame induction, and explains how he began his career in journalism by rejection from pro football. Sal Paolantonio, ESPN NFL reporter, explains why Arizona actually has a chance to win the Super Bowl despite the notion that defense wins Championships. Sal also stresses that Kurt Warner is not yet a Hall of Fame quarterback, and that with a Super Bowl win, he will seal his fate in Canton, Ohio. Chuck Esposito, Head Oddsmaker for Fountaine Bleau Race and Sports book, delivers the betting line for James and Luke to make their picks on the Super Bowl including a slew of proposition bets. James and Luke wrap the show by questioning Joe Torre's decision to include such private details in his book possibly smudging a stellar coaching career in Major League Baseball.
6020 Sports: Bob Costas, JC Watts 10 March 2009, 10:48 am James Carville and Luke Russert discuss Alex Rodriguez' positive steroids test. Bob Costas, NBC Sports and MLB Network anchor, talked about Alex Rodriguez' positive test and subsequent admission, the Hall of Fame requirements and how each case should be judged separately, and Hank Aaron's 75th birthday party and the fact that his legacy has grown as the details of the steroid era continue to be revealed. JC Watts, former congressman (R'OK), 2-time Orange Bowl MVP quarterback for the University of Oklahoma, discussed Alex Rodriguez' human fallibility, his belief that congress should not interfere in sports, Tim Tebow's uphill battle to find success in the NFL, and JC's college career at Oklahoma.
6020 Sports: Jack Ford, David Aldridge, Rob Dibble 10 March 2009, 10:48 am James Carville and Luke Russert begin the show debating the stupidity of the South Carolina court which issued 11 indictments in relation to the picture of Michael Phelps holding a bong. Jack Ford, Co-Host of Banfield & Ford Courtside on In Session on TruTV, talks about the number of indictments doled out in South Carolina in relation to Michael Phelps' use of marijuana, Alex Rodriguez' positive test and subsequent admission, Bud Selig's self-defense, the latest on Barry Bonds' perjury, Roger Clemens' defamation suit against former trainer Brian McNamee dropped by the court. David Aldridge, TNT Broadcaster, courtside reporter at the NBA All-Star Game, discusses the reunion of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neil, the Slam Dunk contest, All-Star weekend in general in Phoenix, and a preview of the 2nd half of the NBA Season. Rob Dibble, Color Analyst of the Washington Nationals and Analyst on 'The Show' on MLB Home Plate, calls out Alex Rodriguez for lying to the media and praises Adam Dunn for his approach to his new team taking young players under his wing. James and Luke wrapped the show with a new segment examining the "Worst Person in Sports" for the week.
6020 Sports: Frank Deford, Steve Sabol, Jon Wertheim 10 March 2009, 10:48 am James Carville and Luke Russert debate the stupidity of Michael Phelps getting caught smoking marijuana. Frank Deford, six time US sportswriter of the year, commentator on NPR's morning edition, contributor to HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, and senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, discussed the cultural event that is the Super Bowl, and his affinity for the color purple. Steve Sabol, Emmy award-winning President of NFL Films examines where Super Bowl XLIII ranks in the history of the game, and Sabol's art exhibit. Jon Wertheim, Sports Illustrated columnist, analyzes Roger Federer's tearful defeat to Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open.
6020 Sports: Morgan Ensberg, Tim Cowlishaw, Chuck Esposito 19 December 2008, 2:57 pm James Carville and Luke Russert discuss Plaxico Burress' decision to bring a handgun into a nightclub, and what punishment fits the crime. Morgan Ensberg told his story of being held up at gunpoint as a minor leaguer, his decision to buy a gun for protection, and eventually to get rid of the weapon prior to having his first child. James and Luke talked about Sean Avery's offensive comments about his former girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert. Tim Cowlishaw columnist for the Dallas Morning News and frequent contributor to Around the Horn on ESPN discussed both Avery's punishment from the National Hockey League and the fact that the Texas Longhorns will not compete for the Big XII Championship, and consequently, a National Championship. Fountain Blue Casino Executive Director of the Race and Sports book Chuck Esposito provides the betting line for James and Luke to make their weekly football picks.
Photo Album
ally
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. 