Punk Saint Patrick’s Day!

“A lot of people feel the Sex Pistols were just negative. I agree, and what the fuck is wrong with that? Sometimes the absolute most positive thing you can be in a boring society is completely negative.”

– John Lydon, Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs

Saint Patrick’s Day and punk share a lot in common. Both have traditionally celebrated the working class, the underdog, and fighting for your rights. To me punk music fits in well with the cold and miserable March weather here in the Northeast: the dead trees, the filthy windows, the harsh sunlight falling on brick and concrete- sometimes gritty scenery calls for gritty music.

Sex Pistols

Back in my hard living days, Saint Patrick’s Day was all about drinking with the boys and nothing brings guys closer together than chugging beer and listening to punk rock which is not just a musical genre but an attitude. Like the Irish, punk sings of the struggles and triumphs of everyday life, calls it like it sees it, and believes in doing it for yourself. But the punks- like the Irish- also know there is strength in unity, laughter can be the best medicine, and in the end fellowship is what it’s all about- or else what the hell are we doing it for? Here are some of my favorite punk songs in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day. Enjoy!

Johnny Rotten and Johnny Ramone

01. Rancid – “Journey to the End of the East Bay” (1995)

02. Rancid – “Wrongful Suspicion” (1998)

03. The Clash – “Rudie Can’t Fail” (1979)

04. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones –“The Impression That I Get” (1997)

05. The Mr. T Experience – “Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend” (1994)

06. Descendents – “’Merican” (2004)

07. Greg Graffin – “Millport” (2017)

08. Jello Biafra and Mojo Nixon – “Love Me, I’m a Liberal” (1994)

09. Rancid – “Civilian Ways” (2009)

10. The Vandals – “My Girlfriend’s Dead” (1998)

11. The Mr. T Experience – “So Long, Sucker” (1989)

12. Dropkick Murphys – “4-15-13” (2017)

13. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones – “Hope I Never Lose My Wallet” (1989)

14. The Undertones – “You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It?)” (1979) 

15. Screeching Weasel – “I’m Gonna Strangle You” (1993)

16. Screeching Weasel – “I Can See Clearly” (1991)

17. Ramones – “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment (40th Anniversary Mix)” (1977)

18. Sex Pistols –“God Save the Queen” (1977)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify...

Recommended Links:

John Lydon Is Proud to Be an American

John Lydon – Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs