Quickie Q&A: Flogging Molly

(Credit: Don Monick)

Flogging Molly are (left to right): Nathen Maxwell (bass), Bridget Regan (violin/tin whistle/guitar/uileann pipes), Matthew Hensley (accordion/concertina/piano), Dave King (lead vocals/guitar/bodhran), George Schwindt (drums), Robert Schmidt (mandolin/banjo), and Dennis Casey (guitar)
Hometown: Los Angeles (but now based in Ireland, Detroit and beyond)
Latest project: their fifth studio album, "Speed of Darkness"
Sounds like: Guinness-fueled old-school punk rock
Biggest claim to fame: their famously raucous live shows
Official website: http://www.floggingmolly.com/

“St. Patrick's Day for me isn't the same thing at all without Flogging Molly,” says bassist Nathen Maxwell, and it’s hard to argue with him. Every year since 2004, Maxwell and his fellow Celtic rockers have ushered in America’s favorite drinking holiday with their Green 17 tour, a string of dates built around in a March 17 blowout in one lucky city (most recently, it’s usually been Phoenix).

Maxwell checked in with Metromix to discuss Flogging Molly’s fifth studio album ("Speed of Darkness," out May 31), hangover cures, and finding inspiration in AC/DC.

Since the band got its start, has Flogging Molly ever not performed on St. Patrick’s Day?
Not that I can recall. That just wouldn't seem right.

Will you be playing material from your forthcoming album on this tour?
Absolutely. We will be playing a completely new set with new songs, including our new song everyone's heard, "Don't Shut 'Em Down," and a few other surprises!

I understand you wrote most of the songs for the new album in Detroit.
Dave and Bridget live between County Wexford Ireland and Detroit. Our last album "Float" was written and recorded in Ireland and was clearly influenced by that experience. This time around we wanted to come back stateside and make our album here. Since we have always essentially gone to Dave's house to write our albums, and none of us live in L.A. anymore, we decided to go to he and Bridget's place in Detroit to write this one. We also liked the idea of writing in Detroit because Detroit is a potent example of what this country is going through. Without a doubt Detroit greatly influenced this album.

Music on the tour bus: What’s the one artist or band everyone can agree on?
I would have to say AC/DC. Sometimes we'll all get together on the tour bus and rock to an AC/DC DVD before we hit the stage. Gets the blood pumping!

What’s the hardest traditional Irish instrument to play with the requisite punk-rock attitude?
I would guess the uilleann pipes, but it can be done!

Your song “The Worst Day Since Yesterday” is one of the all-time classic hangover songs. Has the band perfected any good hangover cures you’d care to share with fans?
Sure there are a few tricks you learn over the years, like B vitamins and the old hair of the dog, but let’s be honest…nothing beats lots of sleep and water!