Matt
has always stood up for the working
man, working families. I've always
thought that bands that have people's
ear have a duty to let their political
feelings be known to their fans - at
least in moderate doses. In an election
year (especially this year!), do you feel
like the band has a responsibility to
"talk-up" a candidate - either locally
or nationally - that aligns with their
beliefs?
Dropkick Murphys, 2012
02•2016
IE: When the band approached this
tour - did you discuss mixing in some
tunes you haven't played in several
years - or is that still being worked
out?
MK: Yes and yes. We’ve been dusting
off a whole slew of old, new, borrowed,
and blue songs in the practice space.
And on the other end of the spectrum,
your soundcheck is your friend when
you have an eight-album catalogue and
a million covers and you want to play
them that night!
IE: I was thrilled to see DKM stood up
for your music (and beliefs) when
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker used
your music in his campaign. It's a
weird political time - the weirdest in
our lifetime – between Trump and
Bernie Sanders who are at opposite
ends of the political spectrum. DKM
MK: "Moderate doses” is in my opinion
is great, and almost an overstatement.
The band does have a vaguely cohesive
political stance, and we don’t want it to
be falsely represented, a la the politician you just mentioned. However, I
tell you what…At least on the national
stage…rather than tell people whom to
vote for, I’d rather people research the
candidates and come up with their
own conclusions about whom they
think is the best man for the job—and
not voting for Candidate X just because
some loud-mouthed punk band says
that it’s cool to vote for them or some
comedian or celebrity endorses them.
Use the internet as the resource that it is
– There’s so much information on these
peoples’ political stances, ideals, voting
records, and which (if any) special
interest groups or PACs are backing
them financially. It isn’t rocket science.
12 illinoisentertainer.com february 2016
I’m an uneducated former warehouse
worker and even I can do the research.
Don’t ‘borrow’ other peoples’ opinions
by reading comments sections on
Facebook or blindly accept whom your
teachers or professors endorse. Form
your own opinions on the candidates.
They’re going to run the country and
utilize YOUR tax dollars.
Dropkick Murphys appear at the
Aragon Ballroom, Friday, February
19th,
with
Tiger
Army
and
Darkbuster.
Tickets available at
www.ticketmaster.com
John Vernon