Flogging Molly tour diary (Part One)

Hey everybody it's Dennis from Flogging Molly. I'll be writing this blog during our Green 17 tour. I hope to get one a week done. It's my first time doing something like this. So if you have any questions or ideas on what you'd like to see let me know. I'll do my best.

February 13 & 14

We decided to add some new songs to the set and dust off some older ones. Having decided this, we needed to rehearse. Rehearsing is something we don't do much of, because we are almost always on tour. The first date of the tour was February 15th in at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, so we found a rehearsal spot near Times Square. We set up shop, crammed into a little space and made a lot of noise.

As you can see it's a small space for seven musicians. But we always end up in small spaces rehearsing or writing. This place was nice. New York City, pizza, delis and pubs on every block...what more do you need? We all had a great time. I think we should rehearse there more often.

February 15

Day of the first show. New York City is always crazy with guests. I have a lot of family there and we've all have made many friends in NYC over the years. I remember when we first played there in 2000, we played every Monday at the Continental for free and every Thursday at the Parkside Lounge in the back (there was no stage). I remember after the first night at the Continental, we went to Jesse Malin's bar, Niagara, and had a great time. We piled into our van (that had the back bench seat removed) and had a celebratory mosh pit. I wish I had a camera that night. We were all pretty sore. Anyways, back to the show on Feb. 15. It was sold out. The crowd was great. We've come a long way. Thanks to everyone who came to the show. Here's a photo of your backs:

Dub Trio are on the bill. They're a cool sounding band. They make a lot of noise for just three guys. After the show, we went to a pub around the corner and hung out and had some drinks. We were having so much fun, we couldn't get Dave to leave. We had to cross the border into Canada that night and that takes a while, so after a bit of coaxing Dave, off we went. The party continued on the bus till 5 a.m. A few hours later, we were awakened up by our tour manager, Aaron, yelling at us to get up. We had to go inside and show our faces. Anyone in a band who has been to Canada can testify that this part sucks, but it wasn't bad this time. We didn't have to wait long. I remember one time, we waited at the border inside their waiting room (with a filthy toilet and a water fountain) for five hours. But thats another story for another day.

February 16

Montreal. Wow, it's fuckin' cold there. And the locals told us it was a warm day. It was anything but that to me. We mostly stayed inside or close to venue. Nothing crazy happened and we were mostly recovery from New York. Montreal is a great city. We've been there many times. It wasn't that easy in the beginning, but they came around. After the show, we went to pub next door. I met a crazy super-fan named Patrick. Great guy. One time, he and his friends drove all the way to Rochester, New York, to go to a show that was sold out. They were determined to get in. I let them in the back door. He knows more about us than I remember. Flogging Molly fans are the best.

February 17

Toronto. I've got that South Park song, "Blame Canada" in my head. The venue was far from the city on an island. There wasn't much to do because it was really cold outside. My buddy Smitty drove up from Buffalo and it was cool to hang out with him. I got a bottle of Vodka and hung out with Jesse from the Aggrolites. It's been a long time coming that we got to tour with them. If you're planning to come see us, get to the show early and definitely check this band out. You wont be disappointed. It's a pleasure to share the stage with them. We had another border crossing and then back to the U.S.A. It was a smooth crossing this time.

February 18

Detroit: the Dirty D. We spent our day off downtown. In the evening, we went to a few bars, including the Well. We ended up in a pub called the Old Shillelagh. An older guy was playing the acoustic and singing. It seems like most Irish pubs have a guy playing cover songs. So as the night went on, someone recognizes a song he's playing. We couldn't believe it--he was playing our song, "Drunken Lullabies." He's doing his own version, but he's playing our song. He didn't know we were in the band. That was a great feeling hearing that. It was the first time we've ever experienced that and it made for a great night. Later on, we went to a diner and left one of our guys there. He ended up getting lost and called me constantly, trying to find his way. We were both loaded and I'm not from Detroit. He finally paid a homeless guy to take him back to our hotel. He fell asleep in an odd position as you will see:

Days off are hard work...

February 19

Detroit's Fillmore is a beautiful old theater. I love playing here. Detroit fans were lined up for blocks outside freezing their asses off. They cheered louder when they opened the doors than they did when we hit the stage. I don't blame them. It was cold! The show was great. Good times after the show hanging out with family and friends.

As I said earlier, Flogging Molly fans are the best. We are blessed as a band to have the fans we have. A big thank you to all of you. Without you, all this wouldn't happen. I hope to meet all of you one day. I'll try to take more photos and get some videos. The Mighty Stef just joined the tour. Those boys from Ireland know how to have a good time. They seem to know how to play every Rolling Stones song no matter how much whiskey they drink. They toured with us last year. It's good to have them back.

Until next week, take care.

Dennis