Flogging Molly

Bringing a little bit of the emerald isle to sunny California is Flogging Molly. Born in the aptly named L.A. pub Molly Malones a few years back, this seven-piece is fronted by Dublin native and former Fastway vocalist Dave King (proving that there is life after '80s metal). Fusing the Celtic sound, complete with mandolin, accordion and tin whistle, with punk energy, they're closer to the Pogues than to the Dropkick Murphys, and their songs are more likely to stick with you than those of the boys from Boston. Although he may seem like an odd choice, this was recorded by Chicago noise-meister Steve Albini. Listening to this, you know that many pints of beer went into the writing of these 12 songs, each one playing out like a story, rife with detail and emotion.