The Larkin Brigade -- Boston's finest rag 'n' reel

[Mike from Boston]

Although I am not familiar with them (yet), there
was a nice article in the Boston Herald about them.

"In my house, Irish Hit Parade was on the radio every Saturday," said drummer Dennis Doherty, sitting by the fireplace at Flann O’Brien’s. "I hated it."

But when Doherty discovered the Pogues in high school, they altered his opinion of Irish folk. The Celtic punksters served as what Doherty called his gateway to learning traditional Irish jigs and reels.

"The Pogues are what got me into it, too," said fiddle ace Joe Wyatt. "The Pogues definitely made Irish music cool."

full article-

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNe ... eid=183229

[Phoist]

I've seen them twice. I enjoyed them well enough there are better but there are sure as all hell a lot worse.

[PK]

Allstonians Return, Help Larkin Brigade Celebrate 231 Redcoat-Free Years

Local rag ‘n’ reel band the Larkin Brigade host their Second Annual Evacuation Day Extravaganza at the Middle East Upstairs, 472 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday, March 17, 2007. 9 p.m., $10, 18+.

On March 17, 1776, George Washington's American Revolutionary army booted the Brits from Boston. In 1941, the City proclaimed March 17 a legal holiday, "Evacuation Day," giving city employees and public school students the day off. (Sure, twas nothin' but happenstance and coincidence if March 17 had any other associations whatsoever of any kind.) Neighboring cities Cambridge and Somerville soon followed suit.

Marking the day with a celebration of freedom and Hub tradition, the Larkin Brigade bring their unusual piano- and fiddle-driven sound, repertoire of witty originals and time-honored pub standards, and kick-arse live show to the upstairs stage of the storied Middle East restaurant.

This year, the lads are thrilled to present Boston’s legendary trad. ska ensemble the Allstonians, who are making their return to the stage after several years in hiding. With original lead singer Ken “King K” Knucklehead back in the lineup, the upbeat, horn-laden Allstonians will bring a strong whiff of 1960s Jamaica to the party.

Also hailing from Allston, the folk-punk collective Bread & Roses will emerge from the basement DIY scene, dust off their guitars, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, and open the night with an old-timey set of socially conscious singalongs such as “Bedtime for Plutocracy,” and perhaps a Pogues song or four.

Between sets, DJ Benni Chasa will spin Motown and Kingston classics, Irish folk songs, and street punk favorites.

There will also be falafel and green beer. (Note: no green beer will be available.)

[Phoist]

Allstonians Return, Help Larkin Brigade Celebrate 231 Redcoat-Free Years

Local rag ‘n’ reel band the Larkin Brigade host their Second Annual Evacuation Day Extravaganza at the Middle East Upstairs, 472 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, Mass., on Saturday, March 17, 2007. 9 p.m., $10, 18+.

On March 17, 1776, George Washington's American Revolutionary army booted the Brits from Boston. In 1941, the City proclaimed March 17 a legal holiday, "Evacuation Day," giving city employees and public school students the day off. (Sure, twas nothin' but happenstance and coincidence if March 17 had any other associations whatsoever of any kind.) Neighboring cities Cambridge and Somerville soon followed suit.

Marking the day with a celebration of freedom and Hub tradition, the Larkin Brigade bring their unusual piano- and fiddle-driven sound, repertoire of witty originals and time-honored pub standards, and kick-arse live show to the upstairs stage of the storied Middle East restaurant.

This year, the lads are thrilled to present Boston’s legendary trad. ska ensemble the Allstonians, who are making their return to the stage after several years in hiding. With original lead singer Ken “King K” Knucklehead back in the lineup, the upbeat, horn-laden Allstonians will bring a strong whiff of 1960s Jamaica to the party.

Also hailing from Allston, the folk-punk collective Bread & Roses will emerge from the basement DIY scene, dust off their guitars, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle, and open the night with an old-timey set of socially conscious singalongs such as “Bedtime for Plutocracy,” and perhaps a Pogues song or four.

Between sets, DJ Benni Chasa will spin Motown and Kingston classics, Irish folk songs, and street punk favorites.

There will also be falafel and green beer. (Note: no green beer will be available.)

I was there for this and it was a great st patricks day event. Probably the best show I've seen at the Middle East. Only negative was having to catch a cab home because it went so late.

[philofbelloni]

Although I am not familiar with them (yet), there
was a nice article in the Boston Herald about them.

"In my house, Irish Hit Parade was on the radio every Saturday," said drummer Dennis Doherty, sitting by the fireplace at Flann O’Brien’s. "I hated it."

But when Doherty discovered the Pogues in high school, they altered his opinion of Irish folk. The Celtic punksters served as what Doherty called his gateway to learning traditional Irish jigs and reels.

"The Pogues are what got me into it, too," said fiddle ace Joe Wyatt. "The Pogues definitely made Irish music cool."

full article-

http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNe ... eid=183229

The Irish Hit Parade is legendary around Boston. What channel was it? 950 WROL? Classic shit. Vintage. I've gotta catch Larkin Brigade if not only because they mentioned that weekly show. I'm turning into an old man quickly.
I actually hated the Hit Parade as a youth. I knew all the songs from family and friends singing them at debaucherous parties in the late 70's and early 80's. AM radio in Papa John's buick didn't have the same zest as a legless "Uncle" Bobby strumming the opening cords to "What da ya do wit a Drunken Sailor?"

[Rag 'n' Reel Paddy]

This Friday, July 20, we play Boston's Baseball Tavern with buds Tommy & the Terrors and Riki Rocksteady & the Bad Ideas. It's the first night of the 3rd Annual Rippin'est Town Rally, a weekend-long celebration of classic scooters, motorcycles, ska, soul, and rock 'n' roll (and rag 'n' reel). And no, you don't need a scooter or anything to attend; You can simply show up, cash in hand, to the Baseball Tavern on Friday.

The rally this year is dedicated to the memory of Harold Madison, Jr., a.k.a. Mr. Butch. (See http://www.boston.com/news/local/massac ... EWell_Pos1.)

FRIDAY, JULY 20, 2007
Tommy & the Terrors
The Larkin Brigade
Riki Rocksteady & the Bad Ideas
@
The Baseball Tavern Basement
1270 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02215
21+
$5 (cheap!)
9 p.m. sharp!

We will also be selling a limited run of possibly the best Larkin Brigade T-shirts ever to raise funds for Children's Hospital cancer research. (See http://www.chtrust.org/nationalruns/def ... ventID=102.) Seriously: maybe our best T-shirts yet. Come to the show so you don't miss out!

And see below for full rally details.

Sláinte,

TLB



RIPPIN'EST TOWN RALLY III

Mods v. Rockers Week-ender & Motor Competition

*JULY 20 & 21, 2007 - BOSTON, MASS.*



OFFICIAL RALLY HOTEL: HOWARD JOHNSON'S FENWAY CALL (617) 267-8300 TO MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW!



*FRIDAY, JULY 20:*



*7:00 P.M.: THE RED SOX of BOSTON versus THE WHITE SOX of CHICAGO* FENWAY PARK - FOUR YAWKEY WAY At America's oldest ball-park, the Windy City takes on the Hub of the Universe in vicious base-ball competition! Get your tickets early as this game will sell out! Available @ http://www.redsox.com or from your local scalper.



*10:00 P.M.: I-SCREAM SOCIAL*

THE BASEBALL TAVERN - 1270 BOYLSTON STREET - Directly across the street from Howard Johnson's Hotel

w/ TOMMY & THE TERRORS, THE LARKIN BRIGADE, RIKI ROCKSTEADY & THE BAD IDEAS

Come early to watch the game or shoot pool, stay late to enjoy the rhythms, rides and FREE ICE CREAM! In the shadow of Fenway Park, The Baseball Tavern features three floors and a ROOF-DECK!



*SATURDAY, JULY 21*



*11:00 A.M.: FREE BREAK-FAST & EMERALD NECKLACE LOOP* HOWARD JOHNSON'S HOTEL - 1271 BOYLSTON STREET - Directly across the street from The Baseball Tavern

Feast on FREE bagels, cream-cheese, coffee and orange juice while preparing for Boston's biggest antique motorcade! Tour Frederick Law Olmstead's landscape-architecture masterpiece.

Group ride leaves parking lot at NOON with a stop at the MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION at LARZ ANDERSON PARK.



*7:00 P.M.: MONSTER BARBEQUE & AWARD CEREMONY* GREAT SCOTT! - 1222 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE - Commonwealth Avenue at Harvard Avenue

w/ THE RAGING TEENS, WORLD'S GREATEST SINNERS, THE CURSES, THE ALRIGHTERS, D.J. BENNY

Witness the rivalry as Mods and Rockers dance and display their vehicles for a judging. FREE BARBEQUE will be served, RAFFLE will be held and TROPHIES will be awarded to the best candidate in each of the following categories: VESPA, LAMBRETTA, EUROPEAN MOTORCYCLE, AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE, ASIAN MOTORCYCLE, MOPED-CLASS CYCLE

[Phoist]

DId anyone go tonight? I went last year to the Evacuation Day Extravaganza and it was great craic.

[SonOfErin]

DId anyone go tonight? I went last year to the Evacuation Day Extravaganza and it was great craic.

I have the flyer for that hanging on my cube at work...it features a punk rock looking guy in a scally cap kicking a red coat in the arse saying "And stay out, ya bastard".

[Phoist]

1st Annual


2nd Annual


3rd Annual


I have the one from last year(the one with the girl) hanging up in my bedroom

[SonOfErin]

Yes! The 1st 2 are by E. Adams. I don't know who that is but I'm pretty sure he also did the Dropkicks skeleton piper design.

[Phoist]

Anybody else going to the halfway to St Patricks day show at the Middle East?