On March 10, I finally got to see one of my favorite bands, Flogging Molly. Every time they would come around, I wouldn't be able to go to a show for some reason or another. I did though get to see them perform six songs when they released their album "Within a Mile of Home" at the Virgin Mega store in San Francisco but I wanted to see a real concert. My friends Jacque and Kurt joined me to the concert. We bought tickets for the Black 17 Tour at the Fillmore. On our way up there, we were driving through a hail and lightening storm. It hailed so much that it looked like snow on the side of the road. I have never seen it hail so much. As we were driving, there was lightening far off in the distance but the closer we got to San Francisco, we actually drove right into the storm w the thunder about 3 seconds after the strike.
After getting lost (just a little) in San Francisco, we finally found the venue. We found parking rather easily and walked to the Fillmore. We ended up right in front of the stage, right after the protection rail ended because my friend is in a wheelchair and anywhere else she couldn't see the stage and all the tables were taken.
The opening band was Dead Pets, which is a punk band from the UK. I have never heard of them before but they were an awesome band. I enjoyed seeing them perform they were very energetic and were having fun on stage. They did an excellent cover of Great Balls of Fire! The next band was The Briggs. The bassist turned up his bass so much that I could feel it go through my body and it was making the floor vibrate. The singers from both bands would jump down and stand on the rail and sing and greet the crowd. They even went crown surfing. In one of The Briggs songs, members of Dead Pets came on stage and sang with them. After the Briggs set was over, Flogging Molly came on at 11pm. They opened up w Selfish Man from the album Swagger. They played for about two wonderful hours, keeping the crowd moving, jumping, and moshing. Dave would also tell us the meaning to some of his songs. One he wrote about his mother-in-law (Factory Girls), one about his dad (The Likes Of You Again), his mom (The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)), Johnny Cash when he passed (Don't Let Me Die Still Wondering), a place he went as a young man when he moved to London (The Kilburn High Road). He also dedicated some of the songs they played to some people in the audience. It was like it was a one on one show, telling us the meanings and stories behind each song. They had a lot of energy and you could tell they were having fun on stage and love what they do for a living.
Flogging Molly is:
Dave King: Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Bodhran, Spoons, Backing Vocals
Bridget Regan: Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Uilleann Pipes, Backing Vocals
Dennis Casey: Electric Guitar, Backing Vocals
Matt Hensley: Accordion, Concertina
Nathen Maxwell: Bass, Backing Vocals
Robert Schmidt: Mandolin, Banjo, Bazouki, Mandola, Backing Vocals
George Schwindt: Drums, Percussion
Here are some pictures I took and Kurt took at the concert with our phones. During the encore of Flogging Molly's set, which started off with Grace of God Go I (which is about the mistakes Dave King has made) and ended with Sentimental Johnny. During the last song, the lead singer of Dead Pets ran onto stage and jumped into the crowd to surf. Dave King was also just dancing and hoping around on stage having fun. It was an awesome concert and everything I imagined it to be.
Dave King, Bridget Regan, and Matt Hensley (from right to left)
Matt Hensley
George Schwindt
Dennis and Robert
This picture is of Nathan Maxwell while he was singing Queen Anne's Revenge.
This is Dennis Casey. After the concert, he came down from the stage and started to greet the fans. Jacque and I got a hug from him and he gave Jacque his guitar pick and his guinness beer.
I had so much fun at the concert, it was a dream come true because I have been longing to see them for so long. It was everything I imagined it to be and more :)
