Flogging Molly recently played Cleveland on Sunday, March 4th as part of their tour in support of their third album, Within a Mile of Home. For those who have not yet become acquainted with the band’s unique sound, imagine the Irish festival meets the Clash. The band fuses instruments ranging from the Tin Whistle and the mandolin to electric guitars and drums to create their inimitable sound.

Flogging Molly has performed in four Warped tours. “We’re going to do some of the Warped tour again this summer,” says Dennis Casey, the band’s guitarist. “We really want to see the Warped exhibit at the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame while we’re in Cleveland.” At the close of their U.S. tour on St. Patrick’s Day, the band is slated to tour Australia and Japan. Afterwards, they will begin recording songs for their fourth album.

Fans who attend the show at Cleveland’s House of Blues on March 4th will be treated to some new music from the upcoming album. “We’re doing about three new songs a night,” says Casey.

Although the band has created three successful commercial albums, they consider themselves a “live” band. Casey explains, “We’re more powerful and louder in concert. At our shows, people get the united, total concert experience.”

The current lineup has been in place for the past ten years, and during that time, they have streamlined their sound. “We’re better players now. We’re always trying to do different things with new instruments and new styles. We keep bringing different influences to table when we write songs.”

Despite being in touch with the historic musical roots of Ireland, Flogging Molly is very much involved in today’s world. Their lyrics not only reflect current events, but also reveal an unusual degree of political maturity. The band was involved in the Get Out the Vote campaign of 2004. Casey explains, “We weren’t saying to vote for any particular candidates, we’re just saying, ‘Go out there and get involved.’ We encouraged people to vote.”