Live Local Music Listings

I first saw Flogging Molly in 2004, or was it 2005? Not that it really matters, I’ve seen them six times since and they just continue to get better and better with each passing show that I attend. Formed in 1997 in Los Angeles by former Fastway front man Dave King; the band has thrived with an almost cult like following and mass appeal. Receiving very little commercial radio airplay, Flogging Molly relies upon a seemingly endless touring schedule and recording to get their music and message out to the masses.

One of the band’s favorite stops in New Jersery is The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville. Recently, just prior to their latest show at this venue, I caught up with guitarist Dennis Casey. Dennis explains the band’s appeal, talked of their trips abroad and discussed their latest CD “Speed Of Darkness” which was recorded on “Borstal Beat Records,” their own recently launched indie label.

Flogging Molly? How did the name come about?

“We used to play Molly Malone’s in L.A. a lot, it was pretty much our main base of operations. The owner at the time was a woman whose name I can’t remember now. One particular evening we were having an exceptional night as a band, the place was packed and we were really doing well. Everything was, well you know, just one of those really good nights. The owner came up to us and said, “You boys are really flogging Molly to death tonight” and that was it, it stuck.”

How did you join the band? You weren’t an original member, correct?

“No I wasn’t. I joined in 1999, so I guess you can say that I’m the new guy (laughs). Dave King found me through a mutual friend. At the time I was already in a band, I went and auditioned anyway. Dave offered me the job but the band that I was in had just been offered a record deal, so I couldn’t join at first because I didn’t want to stick it to my current band mates who had worked hard to get to that point. Six months after I turned down that initial offer: the deal, the band, it all fell apart. I ran into Dave who had heard that I was available and he offered me the opportunity again. I feel, in part because he admired my loyalty to the other group the first time around, when I initially turned him down. I’ve been with Flogging Molly ever since.”

You guys seem to tour and record constantly, if it’s not one it’s the other. Do you ever take a break?

“We take short breaks. We’re not a band that can take six months off. Short breaks are best for us, few weeks, maybe a month at a time. We’re a working band, it’s what we do.”

You just toured in Russia? How was that experience?

“Amazing! We went to Moscow. What a beautiful city, great place, the history, everything, the people were great to us.

New CD “Speed Of Darkness”? What can you tell me about it?

“We recorded almost all of it in an old church building in North Carolina. This was a great way to do things. I mean we had our ups and downs with it but overall the making of the record went pretty well. 28 Witherspoon Street Princeton (609) 924-5555 All shows 21+ www.alchemistandbarrister.com Thurs. 10 p.m. Chris Harford Wed. 10 p.m. Open mic. night 29 Church St. Windsor (609) 448-7144 www.amaronesrestaurant.com Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Walter Brooks Fri. 8 p.m. Greg Martiello & The Chosen Few Sat. 8 p.m. Shore Soundz Tues. 7:30 p.m. Karoake by Front Page Entertainment Wed. 6:30 p.m. DJ Chris Barlow 24 Passaic St. Trenton (609) 695-9612 http://jazztrenton.com/ Sat. 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Victor North (No cover-$10 minimum) 661 Hwy. 33 Hamilton (609) 587-0930 All shows 21+ Thurs. 8 p.m. Tom Reock Fri. 9 p.m. Alright Allright Sat. 9 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd. 2667 Main St. Lawrenceville (609) 896-5995 www.chamberswalk.com Fri./Sat. 6 p.m. Dick Gratton 931 Chambers St. Trenton ww.facebook.com/backstageatchamps Thurs. 4 p.m. King Conquer, Bermuda, In Dying Arms, The Last Ten Seconds Of Life, Melrose Ending, A Ruthless Scene, Roseld, The Edge Of All Reason. All ages, $10/$12

Fri. 4 p.m. The Browning, Madrid, Amyst, Tides Of Deception, A Ruthless Scene, Tomorrow Favors No One, On The Shoulders Of Kings, Clear The Path. All ages, $12

Sat. 7 p.m. Midnite Hellion “EP Release Party”, Asphyxiating, Thrashole, Vermefug, Combat, Graeskul. All ages, $10 510 US Highway 130 East Windsor (609) 426-9400 www.citystreetscafe.com Thurs. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Thursday feat. Steve Johnson Fri. 9 p.m. Spanky’s Garage Sat. 9 p.m. Tear It Down Wed. 6:30 p.m. Acoustic Wednesday 167 Rte. 130 North Bordentown (609) 298-7100 ww.dublinsquarepubs.com Thurs. 10 p.m. Open mic. by Paul Schober Sun. 4-8 p.m. Irish Sessions w/ Billy O’Neal 335 Princeton-Hightstown Road West Windsor (609) 716-8771 www.groversmillcoffee.com Thurs. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night Fri. 8 p.m. CJ Barna Sat. 7:30 p.m. 3-26 Rodney & Eva 4617 Nottingham Way Hamilton (609) 586-1811 www.halofarm.com Sat. 7 p.m. Crosswick 105 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-9897 All shows 21+ www.havananewhope.com Fri. 8 p.m. Cabinet w/ Quimby Mountain Band. Doors: 6 p.m., $15 (general admission) Sat. 8:30 p.m. Schwubby Buzzer Sun. 6 p.m. JB Kline “CD Release Party” Mon. 10 p.m. Karoake w/ Rockin’ Ron 3108 S. Broad Street, Hamilton (609) 888-1435 www.ivytavern.com Thurs. 9:30 p.m. Acoustic Pie Fri. 10 p.m. Gunsmoke Sat. 10 p.m. Soul Custody 96 S. Main St. New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-5981 All shows 21+ www.johnandpeters.com Thurs. 9 p.m. Janet LaBelle Fri. 9 p.m. The Mixxtape Sat. (3 p.m.) David Falcone Fellaheen

Sun. (3 p.m.) Randy Morning (9:30 p.m.) Chris Harford Mondays. Open Mic. Night Wed. The Invitational (Featuring John & Peter’s House Band)

(9:30 p.m.) 310 Klockner Rd. Hamilton (609) 838-7979 All shows 21+ www.palermoshamilton.com Thurs. 8.p.m. Karoake night Fri. 9:30 p.m. Matt & Rachel Duo 523 Whitehorse Ave. Hamilton (609) 585-8008 All shows 21+ www.petessteakhouse.com Fri. 9:30 p.m. Kindred Spirit Sat. 9:30 p.m. Radio Fiction 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton (609) 393-7300 All shows 21+ www.rhowaterfront.com Thurs. 10 p.m. College Night Fri. 9 p.m. “High In The Mid ‘80’s” DJ Bruce Mancia Sat. 9 p.m. RHO Glo II

101 Main St. Hightstown (609) 426-9345 www.tavernonthelake.net Fri. 9 p.m. Phil Engel Band Sat. 9 p.m. Wilson N’ Main Wed. Karoake Night 216 4th St. Fieldsboro (609) 291-9110 All shows 21+ www.thecoolcricket.com Fri. 8:30 p.m. Karoake w/ Jason Taylor Sat. 8:30 p.m. Sweet Vita 358 Farnsworth Ave. Bordentown (609) 324-0880 www.the-record-collector.com Fri. 8 p.m. Iain Matthews w/ Jim Fogarty/ Joe Orlando. All ages,doors at 7:30 p.m., $20 (advance) $25 (door)

Sat. 8 p.m. Bill Toms / Jill Cagney. All ages, doors at 7:30 p.m., $12 (advance) 1100 Terminal Circle Drive West Trenton (609) 883-1002 ww.therunwayonline.com Fri. 9 p.m. Rick & Kenny All shows 21+ 2465 South Broad St. Hamilton (609) 439-0007 All shows 21+ www.stickywicketgrill.com Fri. 9 p.m. Star Struk Sat. 9:30 p.m. The Dawgs 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 656-3200 www.sunnationalbankcenter.com 1324 Hamilton Ave. Trenton (609) 392-2554 All shows 21+ Tues. 8:30 p.m. Open Mic. Night hosted by Jerry Monk Wed. 9 p.m. Irish Night

Trenton Social

449 South Broad Street Trenton (609) 989-7777 www.trentonsocial.com Tues. 9 p.m. LiveMusic/Open Mic.

Triumph Brewing Company

(New Hope, Pa. Location) 400 Union Square New Hope, Pa. (215) 862-8300 www.triumphbrewing.com Thurs. 10 p.m. Ellis Ashbrook Fri. 10 p.m. Some Assembly Required. $5 Sat. 10 p.m. Anders & Friends. $5 (cover) Sun. 7 p.m. Open Mic. Night. Wed. 9 p.m. IAMEVE All shows 21+ (Princeton location) 138 Nassau St. Princeton All shows 21+ (609) 924-7855 ww.triumphbrewing.com Fri. 10:30 p.m. Mike Montrey Band. $5 Sat. 10:30 p.m. Root Glenn Band. $5 2572 Pennington Rd. Pennington www.wildflowersinnrestaurant.com Sat. 9 p.m. Live Acoustic Rock Mon. 9 p.m. Karaoke All shows 21+