Bagpipes play prevalently in Irish music (moreso in Scottish tuneage but I show my haggis-eatin’ bias). And the drone of the pipes comes through traditionally in two environments: when dead folk are getting buried, and when you’re stepping up into battle to kick the spit outta some invading army. And that’s how this record begins…with some bagpipes. And here they’re leading you into that knock-down, drag-out knuckle-buster, fighting against authoritative ne’er-do-wells and corporate power pigs. Jeebus, the first tune, “Rattle and Roll,” is the shin-kicking ode to the old neighborhood, which starts with the line, “Are you ready to roll are you ready to rattle?/We’re out on the town and we’re gearing for battle.” The tune ain’t bad either.

From there on it’s Celtic-tinged, street punk n’ roll, keeping the aggro up and the melodies tight as the Street Dogs tend to do. Still fronted by ex-Dropkick Murphys throat Mike McColgan, you get  quick-paced punk from the streets of Boston: bare knuckled, union bred, and working-class underdog proud (Hell, the face-first chorus to “Hang ‘Em High” is “It’s not enough, it’s not enough/Bernie Madoff, hang ‘im high.” Hee, hee. Subtle).

Lots of catchy, raucous music to shout along to on this disc (“Freedom” is a straight-up, fast-assed, old school hardcore tune). Songs about remembrances of those who have died, and friends and family bonds (hey, it’s Irish! You’ve gotta have that shit in there). The songs aren’t all about hoisting a pint with the lads and punching anybody who crosses you. But the vibe of the disc is so that you could do all that while this was playing in the background. Not too much dragging sameness with a good start-to-end flow that keeps sluggin’ away.

(Hellcat Records, 2798 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026)