Flogging Molly @ The Chance Theater, Poughkeepsie, NY

Live Reviews | Feb 23rd, 2008

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Opening Bands: Mighty Stef, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band
Date: February 21st, 2008
Band Links: link

It’s been about a year since I last saw Flogging Molly. Since they were playing at The Chance in Poughkeepsie, NY, I decided to check them out again with my girlfriend. When I arrived at the club after 7pm, a lot of people were already lined up waiting to get into the club. I still managed to get inside and get a perfect spot in the center part of the balcony. I had a photo pass through Flogging Molly so I wanted to get the best pictures I could. I was afraid I wasn’t going to get some good shots since I was far away but thankfully I brought along my telephoto lens. I wish the Chance would open up the bottom part more and extend the security gate so photographers can go in there too.

The first band was from Dublin, Ireland but I couldn’t understand/hear the name of the band until later on in the set. They were called the Mighty Stef and they were pretty good. The lead singer didn’t sound Irish at all when he sang and was going for a Tom Waits persona a little. He had the hat, denim and singing style of Waits. The band played a cow punk style, mixing bluegrass, punk and country and I liked it. I’m not sure most of the crowd appreciated their music since the band didn’t really get the crowd moving. The next band up certainly got the crowd dancing and singing along though. They were called Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band from Nashville Tennessee and they were another band that had a rocky blues sound.

The band came on for a quick sound check, but then soon came back to rock the Chance with their bluesy/bluegrass music that got all the kids…moshing to? Hmm okay. I’ve seen people mosh to rap music before so I guess its not totally unbelievable. The band consisted of a big bearded guy named Rev. Peyton, his brother on drums (he played a bucket too!) and then Rev. Peyton’s wife who played the washboard & made weird faces. Rev. Peyton was a great guitar player and the other two members were great as well. I’m not sure I would like their music on Cd but they put on one hell of a live show. As soon as they started playing, the crowd was REALLY into them. Between songs, Rev. Peyton would talk with the crowd a little and he was a great story teller. One anecdote that I liked was when he saw his wife’s cousin on the TV show COPS. Something tells me this band started out by playing in barns, jamborees and ho-downs. Or is it hootenannies? I also definitely can see this band just performing on their porch down in Nashville. But anyway, this band is something you definitely have to see live to appreciate.

Flogging Molly was up next, the band that everyone was there to see. Music from The Who came on and the band took the stage with their impressive stage lighting. The entire audience of the Chance was going crazy with excitement. They were moshing, stomping their feet, singing along, throwing water bottles around and just having a great time. The balcony at The Chance was literally shaking so much I had to grab onto the railings. I was seriously afraid up there and afraid it was going to collapse or something. But I guess if something like that did happen, the people underneath would have it the worst than me. Plus it was really hard to take pictures when the floor is moving; thank god for vibration reduction!

I have a really bad memory when it comes to remembering every song that bands play live. But there were a lot of songs that I loved that were played. Flogging Molly did a good job of mixing old songs with new songs. The new songs that they played were the ones I wanted to hear like: “Requiem For A Dying Song,” “Float” and “Paddy’s Lament.” One song that I never heard live (I don’t think?) was “The Worst Day Since Yesterday” and they actually played it this time around! Dave King even said they haven’t played it in years but started bringing it back to their live show. I thought it was one of the best songs of the night although their new song “Requiem for a Dying Song” sounded amazing live! Of course, it was great to hear Flogging Molly classics like “Drunken Lullabies,” “Devil’s Dance Floor,” “Salty Dog,” and “Selfish Man.” The band members seemed to be having an awesome time I stage, drinking their Guinness and raising their drinks to the crowd after every song (it seemed). I’m glad to see accordion player Matt Hensely is back with the group; I didn’t see the band when he wasn’t with them but it seems like he never left.

There’s nothing else to be said about the show really. It was just a great show with interesting opening bands and like always, Flogging Molly put on an excellent set. They are definitely one of the most exciting live bands to see in the music scene. They just make you want to jump & go crazy. I was happy to get the opportunity to see the band live again and get a photo pass. I loved that I was able to shoot the whole show and there wasn’t a 3 song limit. If you haven’t seen Flogging Molly yet, be sure to get your ass out to see them!

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