Flogging Molly supports sophomore effort with winter jaunt

Floggy Molly hits the U.S. club and theater circuit in March for a run in support of last year's "Drunken Lullabies."

Based in Los Angeles, the seven-member act's music combines "traditional Irish influences and heavy-hearted storytelling with brazen punk rock," according to the group's record-label biography. The bio goes on to say that "Agro-Celt," "jig-punk" and "Celtic 'core" are interchangeable terms that describe the group's niche.

Flogging Molly released "Drunken Lullabies" about one year ago. Steve Albini, known for his work with acts such as Nirvana and the Pixies, produced the album.

The new set is the follow-up to the group's 2000 debut, "Swagger."

Singer-guitarist Dave King--a Dublin, Ireland, native--founded Flogging Molly in 1997 after hooking up with his current bandmates at a Los Angeles Irish bar named Molly Malone's. The group was the bar's resident band before attaining more widespread appeal.

"I'm inspired by bands like the Dubliners and the Pogues," King said in the group's bio. "And then we do what we do with it. We're taking a love of Irish music and we're making our own thing. We are our own little dot on the map. What we have is really special."

King said fans can expect a rowdy atmosphere at the group's shows.

"The only way I can think to describe the atmosphere at a show is that of a football game--and when I say football, I mean soccer game--in the sense that there's a camaraderie between the band and the crowd. We become one."

SideOneDummy, the group's record label, is streaming the "Drunken Lullabies" title track and additional cut "If I Ever Leave This World Alive" at its website.