iSound

From meager beginnings playing all-ages matinees at now-defunct Boston clubs to a prominent placement in Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award-winning film, “The Departed”, the Dropkick Murphy’s have evolved over the past decade into one of the most beloved punk-inspired bands in the world. Now, with “The Meanest Of Times”, their sixth studio album of spirited, cathartic and heartfelt anthems, the oft-cherished seven-piece outfit has also launched its own record label, Born & Bred Records, as a means to bring new DKM music to the world while assuming full control of their destiny. As evidenced by the explosive, uncompromising and downright brilliant album-opener, “Famous For Nothing” and the set bowing, optimistic roar of “Never Forget”, “The Meanest Of Times” is book-ended in top form and captures among its fifteen tracks what founding bassist Ken Casey calls “themes of childhood, growing up and family”. “Growing up, I saw my share of hard times”, Casey says. “I think a lot of u...