Dropkick Murphy's - "Kiss Me I'm Shitfaced" Because this is just so much more honest than those silly "kiss me i'm Irish" shirts. There are plenty of folks at the St. Patrick's Day parade who are not Irish, but are looking for a sloppy makeout session. This is their full-disclosure theme song.

The Pogues - "A Pair Of Brown Eyes" Well, there had to be a Pogues song on this list (spoiler alert: there's two), and this one makes sense because it's perfect for a drunken sing-along, especially when you get to the "and a rovin a rovin a rovin I'll go" part, which is one of the best parts of any song ever.

Thin Lizzy - "Whiskey In The Jar" A sort of obvious pick, but a great song in any case. The Metallica version of this song is quite good, too, but it's been played to death, and it just seems more logical to give this spot to an actual Irish band. There are dozens of versions of this song floating around in the corners of the internet, so feel free to substitute whichever version you like.

George Thorogood And The Destroyers - "I Drink Alone" Parades aren't for everyone, and neither is public drunkenness, so this classic goes out to all the folks who will be getting plastered in the privacy of their own homes, preferably with no company whatsoever. A lot of folks will hanging out with their pal Johnnie Walker, and his brothers Blackie and red this March 17th, and we salute them.

Flogging Molly- "What's Left Of The Flag" Well, first of all, this is just a great celtic-punk song, and a great drinking song, but it's title could hold a deeper meaning for some. Let's be honest, Irish culture gets bastardized pretty severely at most St. Patrick's Day parades - one Facebook friend of mine expressed his dismay at the usage of the Lucky Charm logo being used in the parade. So, this one goes out to anyone annoyed at how their Irish heritage is represented on this day.

The Cranberries - "Zombie" In a similar vein of More Serious Songs, this immortal 90s hit discussed the 1916 Easter Rising, and was fairly controversial when it came out. Some praised it for calling attention to an important part of Irish history, while others thought it trivialized the events. In any case, it's certainly a memorable song, and shows the darker side of Irish heritage.

The Dubliners - "Seven Drunken Nights" To anyone thinking of making it St Patrick's Week.

Merle Haggard - "I Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink" Hey, Celtic music isn't the only source of good drinking songs - country has a ton of classics. As with "I Drink Alone," this could go out to the folks don't go downtown to the parade, but will still be knocking back a few dozen. And also for those who don't need it be March 17th in order to do so.

The Pogues - "Dirty Old Town" The second Pogues song - they get two because they're the Pogues. This legendary folk tune was oringally recorded Ewan MacColl, but it's been covered by just about every act associated with Irish music in any way, including The Dubliners. MacColl considered the Pogues version to be the definitive take on his song, so it's the one I chose here, but feel free to substitute your own personal favorite.

The Irish Rovers - "Wasn't That A Party" A popular favorite around this time of year (I've heard it at Wegmans three times this weekend), which is somewhat ironic because it describes the consequences the next day more than the party itself. The perfect theme song for the crippling hangover you'll be waking up with the next morning.

In 2008, after nearly 15 years as one of Buffalo's premier music venues, the Showplace Theater (1065 Grant St.) closed its doors. The iconic venue hosted many legendary performances over the years from nationals like the Cramps and the Damned to popular local groups like the Imports and the Budgets. As a little kid, it was always my dream to play the Showplace, and as I got older, I was privileged enough to make that dream a reality several times over. When the closing was announced (the place was practically falling apart) the music community was in shambles; tears were shed, memories were recounted, and a silent fear echoed throughout the scene...what now?

Not long ago the old Showplace was purchased, and since that time renovations have been under way to clean the place up and restore it to its former glory. Anyone who remembers those bathrooms will know that this is no easy undertaking.

Tonight will be a coming out party of sorts for the landmark theater. While Showplace is not officially set to open as a venue (just yet), they are opening their doors for one night; a celebration of all things St. Paddy's. Irish for a Day. The party (doors at 4pm) will include performances by popular local acts Breckenwood, Crashfuse, Cosmic Shakedown and Sleepy Hahas (check em out below). Additionally there will be Irish food aplenty and an endless flow of (what else?) beer. Go for the bands, go for the eats, or just go to see what Showplace looks like nowadays. I, for one, am curious.

The second Shamrock Shakedown commences tomorrow night. Jamieson Productions and the Marciniack Brothers are filling the Dnipro Ukranian Center with lights, video projections and DJs. Music talent from various East Coast cities, NYC, Toronto, Pittsburgh to name a few, along with our Buffalo favorites will be performing late into the night with multi-genres and four different rooms for you to dance and bounce around to.

"It's celebrating and offering a safe place to do it," Carl Jamieson says about the Shakedown. In the scene since age 16, Jamieson throws the Shakedown not only to celebrate his personal joy for the Irish tradition, but to bring both music and culture together while also giving attendees a safer place to do it. Yes, the Buffalo St. Patty's Day parade is an absolute blast but realistically, it's a madhouse. Moving to Buffalo from Syracuse, I wasn't sure what I was in for. The first parade I went to I apparently walked directly through a fight right outside of the Arby's on the corner of Allen and Delaware, this according to the post-parade recount telling of what happened. Jamieson also looks to the Shakedown as a means of springtime celebration. Regardless of the fact that the weather is basically going through the mood swings of an angsty teenager, spring should be on the way.

Tickets will be sold at the door and in advance, I recommend the latter. Not only does it make your life easier but it saves you $5. Which buys you a beer. Or maybe a taco, if that suits your fancy more.

Nuair atá an cat amuigh bíonn na luch ag damhsa. See y'all Saturday.



 

In South Buffalo, the holiday that’s taking place Sunday is second only to Christmas. There is so much Irish pride in South Buffalo, that it can’t be contained to just St. Patrick's Day and that’s why there is Irish Fest also. On St. Patrick's Day, everyone will be clad in green; every restaurant will be serving corned beef and cabbage, and people will drink just a bit more than they normally do. For many years, local Celtic rock band Jackdaw was also a staple for St. Patrick's Day. They were as traditional of entertainment as the Celtic dancers. 

A few years after they formed, I was entering high school which is the time when teens begin to go out with their friends and party. Jackdaw was one of the first bands I went out to see perform live and there are several reasons for that. For one, they were right in the neighborhood so getting there was easy. They also played at festivals which were free to enter, a huge incentive for a young teen that has no money. But the biggest reason, though, they were the first band I came to recognize and see live consistently was because it was South Buffalo and the atmosphere at a Jackdaw performance in Cazenovia park was incredible. 

They disbanded in 2009 however, after 9 years of being together. Since then, they have played a couple fests at random and unless they are performing a surprise show this year, it looks like we will not be seeing them for this St. Patrick's Day and have to settle for their recordings.

Folks, I'm going to totally punt on my Monday piece this week. I promise to have something more substantial and coherent later in the week when I'm more coherent. In all truth I've totally celebrated the two day Saint Patrick's Day festivities that took place in Buffalo this past weekend, and there ain't a whole lot for me to say. The ludicrously obscene weather made for a weekend to remember, with the best attended South Buffalo First Ward Parade in history Saturday and an insane Parade on Sunday. Everybody truly was Irish, Buffalo truly was the Land of Do-As-You Please for 2 magical days, and everything was green. I don't think we'll ever forget it.


U2's "Beautiful Day" has never been more appropriate.




Cheers Buffalo. I love you. Great Saint Patrick's Day. Until next year.