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My first Flogging Molly experience came last summer when they kicked off the 2006 Fuji Rock Festival at the Thursday night opening party. As they started playing, thousands of the famed fest's early arrivals rushed into the Red Marquee to dance along with the band's infectious Celtic punk. A truly magical moment, it was hard not to be completely floored by the positive vibes that filled the tent as everyone got into the spirit of FRF. Some may argue that it is relatively easy to win over an audience in a situation like that, but Flogging Molly were excellent and deserved all of the applause and bouncing bodies that they were greeted with. Approaching AX, the only thought in my mind was whether the band could match the amazing energy and enthusiasm from FRF. 
Chicago's Flatfoot 56 warmed up the audience in place of original opening act Gogol Bordello who were unfortunately unable to travel to Japan due to delays with obtaining the necessary work visas. Playing to a nearly sold-out crowd of well-liquored spectators, the quartet's Celtic punk was a smashing success. The mixed audience of Japanese and foreign punks and rockers applauded brothers Tobin, Justin, and Kyle Bawinkel and were especially fond of kilted guitarist, mandolin, and bagpipe player Josh Robieson. Previewing cuts such as "Pay Me A Dollar" and "Chinatown Jail Break" from their soon to be released album, Jungle Of The Midwest Sea, the act made plenty of new fans and had everyone singing along to their cover of Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It."With a black curtain drawn across AX's large stage, the lights dimmed at ten past eight and "Lust For Life" burst out of the speakers. The excited audience surged forward and started wildly shaking their behinds and clapping. As the song ended a chant of "Flogging" filled the venue as the curtains opened and a spotlight illuminated a large Flogging Molly banner. On cue, the seven members emerged and launched into the first of nearly two dozen upbeat, whiskey-soaked anthems, Drunken Lullabies' "Another Bag of Bricks." |
Like their performance at Red Marquee, along with the band's top-notch playing, it was the sea of insanely wound up supporters that made tonight's gig so awesome. From the moment the band walked out until the house lights were turned on after the encore the audience went completely nuts. Easily one of the craziest crowds I've witnessed in Japan, limbs and ale were flying as tightly packed attendees near the front joyfully jumped and sang along. Not just for drunken moshers, it was interesting to see several parents with young children swaying along to the music in the slightly calmer back.
Sipping Guinness and shochu, vocalist Dave King was quite chatty between songs. Slightly serious at times, the bulk of his banter was light-hearted and humorous. Introducing many of the night's tracks, he was quick to point out the many skills of his talented band mates during the during the 90-minute concert. Keeping the party atmosphere going, he invited members of Flatfoot 56 to sing along to "Devil's Dance Floor" from 2002's Swagger.Finishing up their set, King emerged on stage alone for the encoure and played the front half of "Black Friday Rule" before the rest of the band appeared and turned the acoustic number into a rollicking pub anthem. "Seven Deadly Sins" ended things with one last massive dance party sending many spectators singing into the Shibuya night a whole lot tipsier and happier than when they arrived. -- setlist -- ANOTHER BAG OF BRICKS / WAILING WALL / LIKES OF YOU AGAIN / SWAGGER / SELFISH MAN / WHISTELES THE WIND / REQUIEM FOR A DYING SONG / DRUNKEN LULLABIES / LAURA / TOBACCO ISLAND / QUEEN ANNE'S REVENGE / FACTORY GIRL / REBELS / DEVIL'S DANCE FLOOR / WORLD ALIVE / SALTY DOG / WHITHIN A MILE / WHATS LEFT OF THE FLAG -- encore -- BLACK FRIDAY RULE / SEVEN DEADLY SINS |
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report by shawn and photos by sam
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| photos : Flogging Molly | Flatfoot 56 |
 mag files : Flogging Molly History Repeating (07/04/16 @ Shibuya AX) : review by taiki, photos by samサービスしすぎが心地いい (07/04/16 @ Shibuya AX) : review by taiki, photos by samphoto report (07/04/16 @ Shibuya AX) : photos by samphoto report (07/04/12 @ Osaka Big Cat) : photos by tommyphoto report (06/09/30 @ UC Irvine Bren Events Center,L.A.) : photos by sambulettin report (06/03/16 @ SXSW,Austin) : review by taisuke, photos by sam富士の麓で、大爆発が (05/10/01 @ Asagiri Arena) : review by joe, photos by hiroquiphoto report (05/10/01 @ Asagiri Arena) : photos by hiroquiphoto report (05/09/29 @ Liquidroom Ebisu) : photos by makiphoto report : (04/04/07 @ Shinsaibashi Quattro) : photo by stevephoto report : (04/04/06 @ Shibuya O-West) : photo by makiphoto report : (04/04/05 @ Shibuya O-West) : photo by maki |
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The official site Flogging Molly http://www.floggingmolly.com/ check 'em? -->  The latest album  "Whiskey On A Sunday" with DVD (国内盤 / US import / ) |
previous works
"within a mile from home"(国内盤 / US import /
)"Swagger" "Drunken Lullabies" "Drunken Lullabies" (国内盤 / UK import / US import) "Swagger" (国内盤 / UK import / US import) "Alive Behind the Green Door" (US import / )"Swagger"(UK import) "Drunken Lullabies "(UK import) check the albums? |
 2007The Self-Proclaimed World's Third Best Punk Band : Converge (7th Apr. @ Shinkiba Studio Coast)Don't Forget Your Manners : Converge (16th Mar. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)They Don't Build Them Like They Used To : Yo La Tengo (19th Feb. @ Shibuya O-East)Smoking Hot : Isis with These Arms Are Snakes, Boris (29th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroHot In Herre : Calexico with Iron & Wine (27th Jan. @ Shibuya Club QuattroYou Can Always Come Back Home : Deerhoof (20th Jan. @ Shinjuku Loft)The Untouchables : The Roots (15th Jan. @ Shibuya O-East)Dream A Little Dream : The Album Leaf (13th Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)2006Here Today ... Gone To Hell : Arab Strap (11th Dec. @ Shibuya O-Nest)Mo' Mo' Mo' Mo'some : Mo'some Tonebender (2nd Dec. @ Shibuya AX)Good Things Come In Threes : Bleach with Ni-Hao!, Watusi Zombie (5th Nov. @ Yoyogi Zher the Zoo)Glitter And Mop-tops : The Zutons (2nd Oct. @ Shibuya AX)Twisting Minds And Tanning Behinds : Asylum Street Spankers (17h Sept. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)DVD review : I Know I'm Not Alone : Michael Franti & Spearhead (4th Oct.)Melodic Metal Monday : Dark Tranquility w/ Galneryus (1th Sept. @ Daikanyama Unit)Give Me Something I Can Dance To! : Fangsanalsatan Extra feat. The Stars, Boris, Guitar Wolf (22nd Jul. @ Shinjuku Loft)Melting Everything In Their Path : Melt-Banana (9th Jul. @ Yokohama Club 24)Never Too Old To Party : Shonen Knife (8th Jul. @ Shibuya Club Quattro)An Early Summer Night's Dream : Belle and Sebastian (3rd Jun. @ Shinagawa Prince Stellar Ball)Zoobombcrazy : The Zoobombs (6th May. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)F-U-N : Limited Express (Has Gone?) (2nd Apr. @ Yoyogi Zher The Zoo)Full CCCIIIRRRCCCLLLEEE : Cave In (25th Mar. @ Shibuya Club Asia)The Perfect Storm : Mono (18th Mar. @ Shibuya O-Nest)School Of Rock : The White Stripes (6th Mar. @ Zepp Tokyo)Far From Extinct : Dinosaur Jr. (27th Feb. @ Shibuya AX)Vintage Valentine : Showa Genroku Crazy Tangoku feat. Thee 50's High Teens, Salome no Kutibiru, The 50 Kaitens & The Captains (13th Feb. @ Shimokitazawa Club 251)Walk The Line : Afrirampo (29th Jan. @ Higashi Koenji UFO Club)Every Girl's Crazy About A Sharp Dressed Man : Kaiser Chiefs (23rd Jan. @ Liquidroom Ebisu)All That And Looks Too : Tristan Prettyman (22nd Jan. @ Shibuya AX)-->...and more |