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Celtic punk is punk rock mixed with traditional Celtic music. Celtic punk bands often play traditional Irish, Welsh or Scottish folk and political songs, as well as original compositions. Common themes in Celtic punk music include politics, Celtic culture (particularly Gaelic culture) and identity, heritage, religion, drinking and working class ...
- Dropkick Murphys. 2,247 votes. Dropkick Murphys epitomize the Celtic Punk genre with their signature blend of traditional Irish folk music and punk rock energy that has remained unsurpassed for over two decades.
- Flogging Molly. 2,171 votes. Fronted by Irish-born Dave King, Flogging Molly has been fearlessly pushing the boundaries of Celtic Punk since their formation in Los Angeles in 1997.
- The Pogues. 1,859 votes. Without question, The Pogues have left an indelible mark on the history of Celtic Punk with their revolutionary approach to combining traditional Irish music with punk rock sensibilities.
- Smokey Bastard. 195 votes. Hailing from Reading, UK, Smokey Bastard effortlessly straddles the line between raucous punk chaos and expertly-executed traditional folk tunes.
- The Pogues
- Dropkick Murphys
- Flogging Molly
- The Young Wolfe Tones
- The Young Dubliners
- The Real McKenzies
- Rum Rebellion
- Smokey Bastards
- Fiddler’s Green
- The Mahones
We’ll start our list with the Pogues. Many consider this group to be the original Irish punk band. Formed in 1982 in Kings Cross, London, they enjoyed several hits and a cult following that stretched from the 1980s to today. “Fairytale of New York” is one of their most recognizable songs. This modern-day Christmas carol reached the top spot on the ...
When it comes to Irish punk bands that top the charts, the Dropkick Murphys is one of the most iconic. Even if you’ve never heard of the band, you’ve probably listened to a few of their songs. Their single “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” went Platinum after being featured in The Departed, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. After that success in...
The band Flogging Molly started out In Los Angeles, in 1997, thanks to Dublin-born Dave King. This seven-piece group seamlessly combines traditional Irish sounds with a punk rock attitude. Flogging Molly says they take inspiration from other Celtic punk stars like the Dropkick Murphys and hard-hitting rock, such as the Clash. Along with Mr. King, t...
Though many think the Pogues were the first Irish punk band, the Young Wolfe Toneswere around well before them. This band was started by four neighboring kids in Dublin, Ireland, back in 1963. Named for the leader of the Irish Rebellion of 1798, the group excels at Celtic sounds, though much of it is more traditional than the Irish punk we hear tod...
Hailing from Santa Monica, California, the Young Dublinersformed in 1988 during the peak of Irish punk. You might know them for the song “Rocky Road to Dublin,” which maintained a #2 spot on the Billboardworld charts for 115 weeks when it came out in 2006. Other notable songs include “Foggy Dew” and “Follow Me Up to Carlow.” The Young Dubliners hav...
From Vancouver, British Columbia, we have the Real McKenzies, a Canadian Celtic punk band known for their kilt-twisting hits. This band is often cited as one of the founders of the Irish punk movement, though they didn’t form until 1992. Still, their compelling mix of bagpipes, guitars, and drums has placed them on stage with major stars like Metal...
A more recent addition to the Irish punk scene, the Rum Rebellionformed in 2005 in Portland, Oregon. With a unique blend of punk, maritime, and Celtic sounds, the Rum Rebellion gives an energetic voice to the Oi! attitude. They play jigs, reels, and sea shanties with a harder edge, thanks to the addition of electric guitar and heavy-hitting drums. ...
The Smokey Bastards call themselves the UK’s answer to the Dropkick Murphys, and their sound was arguably similar initially. However, as the band matured, they began incorporating varied folk sounds from around the world. Their unusual interpretation of the iconic sea shanty “South Australia” features a didgeridoo! This Irish punk/punk-folk band st...
Celebrating over 30 years together, Fiddler’s Greenstarted in 1990 in Germany and gained notoriety quickly in the festival world thanks to their unique blend of Irish folk music, ska, and reggae sounds. Their spunky bar music is well-loved throughout Germany and the UK. They’ve played over 2,000 concerts and have recorded 14 studio records. One of ...
Canadian-based Irish punk band the Mahoneshad a fitting start. Their founder, Dublin-born Finny McConnell, launched the band with an impromptu performance at a St. Patrick’s Day party in 1990. A very positive response to the St. Paddy’s Day show led him to formally start the Mahones. Since their founding, the band has recorded 13 studio albums and ...
- The Pogues. Hailing from London, the Pogues are truly the founders of the Celtic punk movement. Blending traditional Irish Folk with politics and punk rock energy, they paved the way for many bands to come.
- Dropkick Murphys. This Boston-based outfit puts a working-class Boston Irish spin on Celtic punk. Their lyrics are heavily influenced by the blue-collar Boston experience, dealing with heavy issues like union solidarity as well as playing anthems to Boston sports teams.
- Flogging Molly. Just as Dropkick Murphys are influenced by the East Coast, Flogging Molly has a decidedly West Coast take on Celtic punk music. With instruments that include fiddle, accordion and even the occasional set of spoons, their music is lighter and occasionally melancholy.
- Flatfoot 56. In the Midwest, Flatfoot 56 (and their scenemates the Tossers) are Chicago's answer to the Celtic punk movement. Flatfoot 56 is known for a powerful punk vibe, accompanied by pipes and mandolin, that leads to frenzied, yet well-behaved pits.
Celtic punk is punk rock mixed with traditional Celtic music. Celtic punk bands often play covers of traditional Irish, Welsh or Scottish folk and political songs. They will often make original songs too. Common themes in Celtic punk music include politics, Celtic culture and identity, heritage, religion, drinking and working class pride.
The Pogues were an English or Anglo-Irish Celtic punk band fronted by Shane MacGowan and others, founded in King's Cross, London, in 1982, as Pogue Mahone—an anglicisation by James Joyce of the Irish phrase póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse".
Nov 30, 2023 · Celtic Punk on Folk N Rock. Home to Irish Punk with Celtic Punk Bands, News, Reviews Interviews, live coverage and much more!
