The Dreadnoughts
The Dreadnoughts started playing folk-punk in 2007 with one goal in mind: to make enough money at shows to cover the cost of shots of Fireball whiskey at Vancouver’s notorious Ivanhoe Hotel. Eighteen years later, they can say they’ve absolutely succeeded, and on top of that, they boast seven studio albums, numerous EPs and hundreds of unforgettable shows around the world. They’ve mixed punk rock and a heap of European folk traditions on a scale that few other bands can match.
“The Dreadnoughts’ live set,” writes upvenue.com, “can be summed up in one word: outrageous.” If this band is proud of anything, it’s its live show, which follows the first (and only) rule of punk rock: It must be chaos! There’s no choreography, no pre-set sound effects, no light show, no “how’s everybody doing today?” Just six rowdy extroverts who aim a series of folk dances with a punk twist at the audience… sometimes after consuming a completely unnecessary amount of alcohol. Perfect for Mighty Sounds!
The Real McKenzies
Our favorite pack of Canadian dogs with Celtic roots and bagpipe hearts returns to our festival after nine years. This whole hybrid of aggressive punk and traditional Scottish folk songs was put together by singer Paul McKenzie in 1992. Supposedly he got the idea at a party where he heard an Andy Stewart record playing from one room, and the Sex Pistols from another. He was so taken by the contrast that he formed The Real McKenzies. The band debuted in 1995 with an eponymous album. Seven albums have followed, the latest of which is out now and from which you’ll certainly hear some hot new releases at the festival. Since 2001, the band has been releasing albums on Fat Wreck Chords, the label of Fat Mike of NOFX, and the new record is no different. The Real McKenzies have won fans on every continent in their twenty long years of existence. Their blend of aggressive guitars and melodic singalongs combined with traditional bagpipes is the right and honest mix that will captivate you and take you on an excursion to the old days.
Fiddlers Green
You know that fairy tale about the fiddles that play endlessly, and they all have to dance until their shoes are red hot, but they never get tired? This German Irish folk band has mastered such tricks, so you’ll have no choice but to dance to your heart’s content. The boys started their band life in 1990. They made their debut two years later with an eponymous album on their own label, Deaf Shepherd Recordings. They signed to a major label for a while, but eventually went back to being independent. They call their own work speed folk, as opposed to folk rock or Irish folk. The band last appeared on Mighty Sounds six years ago, so we’re excited to see how and where the guys have moved since then.
Pirates of the Pubs
The band Pirates of the Pubs probably doesn’t need too much introduction to our people anymore. They have been active since 2012 and since then they have clearly made their mark in the hearts of fans in the Czech Republic and abroad, where they go to deliver their music quite often. Their work is inspired by Irish folk songs and a little bit by the work of Scrum, Dropkick Murphys, The Real McKenzies and Flogging Molly. This will be their third appearance at the Mighty Sounds festival.
