Flogging Molly’s 2023 Winter Tour with Anti-Flag and Skinny Lister
Having never been to The Hall at Maryland Live!, I had a bit of trouble navigating to the actual venue. The Hall, itself, is made up of a stage with seating that folds into the wall (like bleachers at a high school). For this particular show, the seats were folded in for a standing crowd, banked by patrons seated on upper balconies.
There was only a short wait from my arrival before Skinny Lister took the stage. A British band known for “Shanty Punk,” they soon had the audience singing along. The five-piece band—made up of Dan Heptinstall (lead vocals/guitar), Max Thomas (melodeon/vocals), Lorna Thomas (vocals), Scott Milsom (stand-up bass/vocals), and Tim Hillsdon (drums)—performed fan favorites like “Trouble on Oxford Street” and “Wanted” as well as a cover of the traditional song “John Kanaka.” They also introduced a brand new song, “Down on the Barrier.”
Next up was Anti-Flag who is known for their politically-charged lyrics expressing the need for change in today’s society…something that is even more relevant today. The Pittsburgh band’s members are Justin Sane (vocals/guitar), Chris Head (guitar), and Chris Barker AKA “Chris 2” (vocals/bass). Erik Pitluga was on drums for the evening—I’m not sure if he was filling in for Pat Thetic…or if he’s a permanent addition. Marc Code, their tour manager was also onstage providing backup vocals. Having been formed in 1988, the band still exuded great energy onstage—spinning around, jumping from monitors and risers, and contorting their bodies…all while playing their guitars.
They gave a solid performance including songs like “The Press Corpse,” “1 Trillion Dollars,” and “Brandenburg Gate.” They also played “Laugh. Cry. Smile. Die.” and “Victory or Death (We Gave ‘em Hell)” from their newest album Lies They Tell Our Children, released January 6, 2023.
One of my favorite parts was a medley containing snippets from songs like “Should I Stay or Should I Go” (The Clash), “God Save the Queen” (The Sex Pistols), “Rise Above” (Black Flag), “She” (Green Day), and “Blitzkrieg Bop” (The Ramones).
Finally, it was time for Flogging Molly to take the stage. As soon as the members came out, there was someone noticeably missing. Lead vocalist Dave King explained that his fellow band member—and wife—Bridget Regan (violin/tin whistle/backing and lead vocals) was recovering from a broken arm but had insisted that, “The show must go on!” And “on” it did go!
Even with Bridget’s absence, Dennis Casey (guitar/vocals), Matt Hensley (accordion), Nathen Maxwell (bass/vocals), Spencer Swain (mandolin/banjo/guitar/vocals) and Mike Alonso (drums) gave the venue a exuberant performance. Dave did his usual parade around the stage, strumming his guitar as he went.
For me, Matt Hensley is always a highlight, as I was a huge skateboarding fan back in the day. And, I’ve got to say, the accordion is such a fascinating instrument with all the buttons and the bellows.
The band performed classics like “Drunken Lullabies” and “What’s Left of the Flag.” In promotion of their most recent album “The Anthem” (released ), the band also played their new songs “The Croppy Boy ’98” and “Life Begins and Ends (but Never Fails).”
During the encore—before going into “If I Ever Leave This World Alive”—Dave announced, “At the end of the day, all of these songs are about the celebration of life…the good and the bad.”
This show decidedly fell into “the good.” If you get a chance to see any of these bands live, go out and do so! You won’t regret it.
Deanna Escobar | Sugarshot Media