Formed in 1996 the Dropkick Murphys (DKM) have been an irish-punk powerhouse since their formation in Quincy, MA. After releasing their first five albums through the record label Hellcat Records and receiving platinum on the track “I’m Shipping Up for Boston.” They have also been known for playing their annual St. Patrick’s tour in which they tour all around Boston in the week leading to the world famous Irish holiday.

This month, on a December 5th press announcement, Dropkick Murphys have released a load of tour dates for their first U.S. tour titled St. Patrick’s Day Tour 2018 with opening groups Agnostic Front and Bim Skala Bim. Tickets have already gone on sale so get them before their gone here. The tour will begin on February 24th at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut and will finish off with their annual week-long St. Patrick’s tour.

Agnostic Front is a New York American punk band that formed in 1980. They took a five year hiatus in 1992, reforming in 1997. They still tour today. Current members include Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma, Mike Gallo, Pokey Mo, Craig Silverman, and Jayanta Das. Agnostic Front last toured with DKM in 1998 and followed the tour with a joint release 7” vinyl titled Unity.

Bim Skala Bim is a Boston-formed ska band that has had a long relationship with the Dropkick Murphys as they have been performing together since Dropkick Murphys’ formation in 1996.

If you are itching to see DKM before their week in Boston, the band has invited all fans to come see an intimate performance by the band as well as some good old-fashioned professional boxing. Proceeds from this event will go to a foundation known as the Claddagh Fund and Ernie Boch’s Music Drives Us Foundation. To purchase tickets, visit here.

Dropkick Murphys current lineup is Al Barr, Tim Brennan, Ken Casey, Jeff DaRosa, Matt Kelly, and James Lynch. They are touring in support of their newest album 11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory, which was released through the band’s own able known a Born & Bred Records. Check out the tour dates below.

Dropkick Murphys Tour

02/24 – Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena
02/25 – Albany, NY Albany Capital Center
02/26 – Niagara Falls, NY Rapids Theatre
02/28 – Indianapolis, IN Egyptian Room
03/02 – Oklahoma City, OK Diamond Ballroom
03/03 – Houston, TX Revention Music Center *
03/05 – Birmingham, AL Iron City
03/06 – Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works
03/07 – Atlanta, GA Cola-Cola Roxy
03/09 – Charlotte, NC The Fillmore
03/10 – Washington, DC The Anthem
03/11 – Norfolk, VA The NorVa
03/12 – Stroudsburg, PA Sherman Theater
03/14 – Portland, ME State Theatre
03/15 – Boston, MA House Of Blues ^
03/16 – Boston, MA House Of Blues ^
03/17 – Boston, MA House Of Blues *
03/18 – Boston, MA House Of Blues *

^ with Agnostic Front only
* with Bim Skala Bim only

photo credit: Raymond Flotat