We continue our "Best of LA Countdown", covering every day one of the artists that made our Year Ends Best of LA Poll list (a chart compiled by a jury comprised of local bloggers, music writers, promoters, record store personnel, DJs, and our writers and readers).
Sometimes you’re in the mood for fisticuffs, and an old Irish trick to rile an opponent up is to offer them milk at the bar. The other way is to slap some headphones on them and turn up The Mighty Regis — a band that isn’t afraid to pen a few songs about hard drinking and Irish pride.
After cutting their teeth on Co. Sligo and Another Nickel For The Pope, the third and most recent album, 21, shows the band off in fine form. "Paddy Don’t Live In Hollywood" has Franky McNorman leading the charge on vocals over punk-bred choruses. Gavin McLoud’s mandolin raises the tide on "Celtic Storm", a high energy seaside yarn built on the foundation of a traditional Celtic melody. The remainder of the album winds through the familiar, but fun, territory that is Celtic Punk. The Mighty Regis reels back from the distorted guitars of their contemporaries Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly though, to show off the more traditional mandolin, tin whistle, and accordion.
The Mighty Regis will be playing at The Blue Cafe in Long Beach on Feb. 19th, before hitting dates in central California and the east coast.
-Angelo Lorenzo