Culture
23 Feb 21

Dropkick Murphy's announce studio album, share new single 'Middle Finger'

Their forthcoming album will be their tenth full-length record.

Dropkick Murphys are gearing up to release their 10th full-length studio album and to celebrate, they've released a new single called 'Middle Finger'.

Turn Up That Dial, now available for pre-order, is due on April 30 via Born & Bred Records, and was produced by Ted Hutt.

“On this record, the overall theme is the importance of music, and the bands that made us who we are,” explains the band's founder and vocalist Ken Casey about the album. “We just hope [the album] takes people’s minds off their troubles. We’re so fortunate and grateful to be in the position to share a little happiness in our own way. Our gratitude levels are off the chart.

"25 years ago, somebody bet me 30 bucks I couldn’t form a band with three weeks’ notice to open for his band. As kids, we’d never been out of New England and here we are – we’ve made ten records and have been all over the globe. If there’s a message to this album, it’s ‘put your fist up and play it loud.’”

Over the last two years, following a surgery, Casey stopped playing, passing bass duties to longtime friend and road crew member Kevin Rheault. With Casey off his leash and free to roam the front of the stage with co-lead vocalist Al Barr, a new and powerful dynamic ignited a new flame in the legendary band.

Hunkered down at home during the pandemic, the band members staved off depression by leaning on the music and leaning on each other. As a result, their latest record promises "rousing tracks that span the gap from punk rock ragers to melodic, Irish-inspired tunes."

The iconic Celtic punk band are also planning to preview select tracks from Turn Up That Dial when they virtually reunite with fans around the globe for their annual livestream, 'Still Locked Down,' to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The stream will take place on Wednesday, March 17 at 4:00pm PT / 7:00pm ET / 12 midnight Irish time. The concert is free, and will feature the full band, performing socially distanced on an arena-sized stage.