Fists will pump wildly through the air, and bodies will be moving violently through the… Fists will pump wildly through the air, and bodies will be moving violently through the crowd. Sound like a riot? It’s just another stop on a Dropkick Murphys’ tour.

Since 1996, Dropkick Murphys have been blowing up punk music with their hard beats, guitars, and … bagpipes.

Their punk/Irish infusion started in 1996 in Boston, Mass. Though at first their intention was only to play music with a few friends for fun, the result was a sound they identified as a combination of punk rock, Irish folk, and hardcore. They self-produced their first few EPs, and eventually began touring to raise money to support themselves.

After two years, they caught the attention of Tim Armstrong – the lead singer of Rancid – and his record company Hellcat Records. Armstrong’s band mate Lars Fredriksen went on to produce Dropkick Murphys’ major, full-length release, Do or Die.

Do or Die lit the fuse and Dropkick Murphys’ music spread like wildfire. Establishing worldwide recognition, they gained fans in Europe, the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia, and Australia. Their tour itinerary quickly changed from small venues in Boston to Transilvania in Milan, Italy.

Their fourth full-length album Blackout is a continuation of the Dropkick Murphys’ legacy. This album is a continuation of the working class honesty and Irish pub songs they were known for. Adrenalin-filled and true to their pure, punk-rock roots, they deliver 14 more songs to add to the mosh pit mayhem they create at their live shows.

If you want to see some raw, dirty punk in action, check out the Dropkick Murphys. In your face and out of control not only describes the crowd that is egging them on, but also the band itself.

Dropkick Murphys will be bringing their Celtic love to Club Laga this Wed., Feb. 4, with Stiff Little Fingers and The Unseen. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $17.50 both in advance and at the door. For more details, call (412) 683-5363.