At first blush, it might seem the House of Blues should have booked über-Irish rock band Flogging Molly for its St. Patrick's Day gig. But we would argue it did OC one better. While Flogging Molly has the inspirational pub-style sing-alongs, this is Orange County—epicenter of a unique brand of hardcore-punk-rock aficionados with gung-ho U.S. tendencies supplemented by hordes of Irish transplants. So it's fitting this St. Paddy's Day, we get to check out the Street Dogs, featuring former Drop Kick Murphys front man Mike McClogan. With a sound straight out of the emerald isle, but birthed in the hardcore scene of Boston, these guys rock a high-energy brand of punk rock that's heavy on the political commentary with an extra dash of wit that will find a perfect holiday home in the land of citrus. Bonus: The evening also features a performance from the fledgling project Black Pacific, with former Pennywise singer Jim Lindberg on vocals. Whatever your opinions are of the second-wave punk band who inspired many an OC teenager to dye his hair blue or rock a Mohawk, you have to admit Lindberg was the foundation of the influential band's sound with his immediately recognizable voice. So give his new project a listen and hoist a pint in celebration.
Thu., March 17, 8 p.m., 2011
