10 Crucial Punk Rock Bands Currently Active

Boston, Massachusetts is home to a strong Irish-American demographic. It comes as no surprise then, that this is home to Celtic punks, The Dropkick Murphys.

Typically fusing together traditional Celtic instruments, such as mandolins and accordions, with the attitude of punk rock, this genre is the very definition of niche. This hasn't stop The Dropkicks from rubberstamping their brand all over the place, harmonising songs about working class folk, drinking whiskey chasers and sticking their middle fingers up at those who look down on them and the lifestyle they chose.

Perhaps its fitting that a band so ingrained in Irish culture found their way into the popular conscious by creating a shanty-like tune about a prosthetic-wearing sailor losing his wooden leg. It sounds absurd, but that's just the nature of the beast when it comes to Celtic punk, nothing is off the table.

The Dropkick Murphys have always worn their hometown on their sleeve like a badge of honour, something that many musicians in the punk scene can relate to, pride in one's self and heritage.

A concept seemingly lost in the modern music scene, with eyes all focused on making it to Los Angeles to prove your worth, The Dropkicks evoke a style of punk so personal that they may yet surpass The Pogues in terms of recognisability in the genre. However, don't expect a hit Christmas song to define their career. These lads don't really give a sh*t, they go out in style.