True story: back in olden times, which is another way of saying the days when the Warped Tour deigned to stop on these shores, members of the Straight’s editorial team found themselves with primo spots for the much-anticipated set by the Dropkick Murphys. Keep in mind, this was before the Boston-based bagpipe-powered Celtic punks became not only Beantown’s favourite sons, but one of the greatest fast, loud, and bruising acts in America.

Fifteen seconds into the set it became abundantly clear why securing a gold-chip viewing spot was so easy: when the chant of “Let’s go, Murphys!!!” died down and the band took the stage, it was all-out war in the mosh pit. Sometimes you are lucky to make it out alive. Now that the Dropkicks have become internationally famous for songs like “I’m Shipping Up to Boston”, “Tessie”, and “Going Out in Style”, things have only gotten crazier.

That’s fair warning that, should you find yourself front and centre when the Murphys play the Commodore on Monday and Tuesday (September 29 and 30), there’s going to be a price to pay: broken bones, chipped teeth, the shredding of all clothing on your person, and goodbye cup of Guinness.

On the plus side, you’ll have just seen one of the best spectacles in punk rock. Not only that, but you’ll have battle tales to tell 10 years from now, assuming you make it out alive.