Dropkick Murphys

“The Body of an American” Out Now

From 20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of Shane MacGowan

Tribute Album To Late Pogues Singer

 

New England Forever Split LP Available On Vinyl & CD

At Retail Stores June 26

 

Dropkick Murphys Join Bruce Springsteen On Stage

At Music America: The Songs That Shaped Us Event

 

“Dropped On My Head” Featured As Theme Song For

Original Crime Drama Series The Westies

 

Band Returns To The Road For Overseas Tour

Of UK, Ireland & Europe

Followed By Power To The People Festival In Maryland October 3

 

Additional North American Dates &

Shows With Rise Against In Australia & New Zealand

 

 

(June 22, 2026): Dropkick Murphys have just released their powerful version of “The Body of an American,” from the highly anticipated tribute album, 20th Century Paddy - The Songs Of Shane MacGowan, out November 13 in tribute to the late Pogues singer. As the cultural descendants of the inspirations Shane MacGowan wrote about, Dropkick Murphys deliver a powerful rendition of this Celtic punk classic. Dropkick Murphys’ version leans heavily into the song’s rich, coded history and traditional storytelling. The track balances the poetic longing for "Amerikay" with the fierce rallying cry of "Erin go," short for Éirinn go Brách (Ireland Forever).

 

For Dropkick Murphys, covering this specific track isn’t just a tribute. Vocalist and founder Ken Casey explains, “Dropkick Murphys are honored to be a part of this Shane tribute. Shane had a tremendous impact on the members of the band, individually, and on the band as a whole. Shane's lyrics had such a dark, sometimes twisted, street level reality to them that it was more punk than a lot of punk. It's so cool to participate in this amazing tribute album, alongside such a diverse lineup of musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Hozier, and so many more all inspired by Shane MacGowan. ‘The Body of an American’ is a Dropkick all-time favorite and we’ve played it live throughout the years so to get to record it for this tribute was a dream come true.”

 

 

Dropkick Murphys will also have something new at retail this week. On June 26, the Dropkick Murphys / Haywire New England Forever 12” vinyl split LP will be available in stores for the first time. The album is also available digitally here. As previously announced, for the 8-song New England Forever LP, Boston-based Dropkick Murphys and Haywire each recorded three original songs as well as a cover version of one of each other’s songs. Haywire recorded Dropkick Murphys’ “The Boys Are Back” and Dropkick Murphys recorded Haywire’s “Always By My Side.”

 

In other news, Dropkick Murphys’ song "Dropped On My Head," a bonus track from the band’s For The People album, will be featured as the theme song for the upcoming original crime drama series, The Westies, which debuts July 12 on MGM+. The Westies is a gritty and kinetic crime drama centering on New York City’s infamously violent Irish gang of the same name.

 

As Dropkick Murphys prepare to head back out on tour, band members recently were invited to join Bruce Springsteen’s Music America: The Songs that Shaped Us event on June 4 in New Jersey. Dropkick Murphys joined artists including Bruce Springsteen, Roseanne Cash, Kenny Chesney, Shemekia Copeland, Valerie June, Keb’ Mo’, Trombone Shorty and more for the first night of the event from The Bruce Springsteen Center for American Music, celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Dropkick Murphys’ performance included an acoustic version of Pete St. John’s modern Irish folk ballad “The Fields of Athenry” and Bruce Springsteen joined the band on their hit “I’m Shipping Up To Boston.” Later in the show, Dropkick Murphys returned to the stage to collaborate on Springsteen’s “American Land.”

 

On June 25, Dropkick Murphys return to the road for headlining UK tour dates, a June 28 show at Crystal Palace Park in London with The Offspring and Pennywise, as well as European festival dates throughout July and August. Fall North American shows will include performances at Rocklahoma (Pryor, OK), Vans Warped Tour (Mexico City, Mexico), a headlining show at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino (Highland, CA, outside Los Angeles), and Vans Warped Tour (Orlando).  

 

Dropkick Murphys are also proud to participate in the October 3 Power To The People Festival – a celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music, and community action – at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD alongside Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Tom Morello, Joan Baez, Public Enemy, Jack Black, Bruce Springsteen and more. For 30 years–and on their 2025 For The People album–Boston's punk rockers Dropkick Murphys have stood up for what's right and championed the underdogs, speaking out against fascism, and supporting immigrants, human rights and workers’ rights.

 

Then in November and December, Dropkick Murphys will join Rise Against for a series of shows in Australia and New Zealand. For the full list of Dropkick Murphys tour dates, visit: https://dropkickmurphys.com/tour/.

 

Dropkick Murphys are:

Ken Casey (vocals)

Tim Brennan (guitars, tin whistle, accordion, piano, vocals)

Jeff DaRosa (guitars, banjo, mandolin, vocals)

Matt Kelly (drums, percussion, vocals)

James Lynch (guitars, vocals)

Kevin Rheault (bass)

Campbell Webster (bagpipes and Uilleann pipes)

 

Connect with Dropkick Murphys:

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(Dropkick Murphys by @Chezphoto / Riley Vecchione)

 

For The People and New England Forever Media Assets: https://bit.ly/4kib092

 

Dropkick Murphys North American Publicity Contacts

Kristine Ashton-Magnuson/Ashton-Magnuson Media, kristine@am-media.net

Selena Fragassi/Ashton-Magnuson Media, selena@fr-pr.net

Aarin Wright/Play It Again Sam, aarin.wright@pias.com