‘Celtic,’ pronounced both as ‘Kel-tik’ and ‘Cel-tik’ refers to a group of languages primarily comprised of Irish, Scottish, and also Welsh and Breton. The Celtic Punk which originated in the 1980s in London was a blend of Irish music with punk rock. ‘Faux’ literally means ‘fake, artificial, or imitation,’ like a ‘faux pearl’means ‘an imitation pearl.’ A pearl, even if an imitation, has its own value. The Faux Celtic Punk was so called because it might or might not have the original Irish ingredient in it. The Celtic Punk Bands play mostly the traditional Irish songs, Irish music, and Irish themes at Irish events and locations like the Roman Catholic Church, labor movements, and songs related to drinking specially on St. Patrick’s Day. However, these songs are not exclusive to this day or the Irish themes only, but also they are frequently the original compositions. A distinguishing feature of the Celtic Punk Band is that they employ the use of traditional musical instruments like bagpipes, tin whistles, accordions, mandolins, and fiddles, etc. Celtic Punk is a  subgenre of punk rock which had many variations like: Rock and Roll, Surf Rock, Glam Rock, Pub Rock, Proto Punk, and Garage Rock, etc. Interestingly, Garage Rock was named after the youngsters’ rehearsals in garages.

1. Roaring Jack

Roaring Jack, an Australian Celtic and Folk Punk band was formed by Alistair Hulett, Dave Williams, Steve Thompson, Bob Mannel, and Hunter Owens. They had all sorts of instrumental music capabilities including; acoustic guitar, vocals, bass, drums, electric guitar, bouzouki, accordion, and mandolin. There had been a few changes in the band later on, but the basic membership remained the same. The band theme was the Scottish sectarianism, aboriginal rights, and union activism. The best remembered works of the band include; ‘Buy Us a Drink,’ ‘The Old Divide and Rule,’ and ‘We don’t Play No Elton’¦John.’

2.  Flogging Molly

Flogging Molly is a Celtic Punk band in Los Angeles, California. It was founded by Dave King who was born in Dublin, Ireland on December 11, 1961. Other members of the band include; Bridget Regan, Dennis Casey, Matt Hensley, Nathan Maxwell, Bob Schmidt and George Schwandt. The band’s capabilities include; vocals, acoustic guitar, bodhran, banjo, spoons, fiddle, tin whistle, accordion, concertina, bass guitar, mandolin, and drums. The band derived its name from the Los Angles pub Molly Malone. In King’s own words, ‘We used to play there every Monday night, and we felt like we were flogging it to death, so we called the band Flogging Molly.’

3. The Dubliners

The Dubliners is an Irish folk band founded by Joseph Ronald ‘Ronnie’ that started in Dublin in 1962 as The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group. The name was later changed to The Dublins. Ronnie was an Irish folk singer and musician of international fame. Former members of the band included: Barney McKenna, Luke Kelly, Ronnie Drew, Ciaran Bourke, Bobby Lynch, Jim McCann, and Padd Reilly. Current members of the band are: John Sheahan, Sean Camnnon, Eamonn Cambell, Patsy Watchcom, and Gerry o’Connor. The Dublins band was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2012 event of BBC’s Radio 2 Folk Awards.

4. The Clancy Brothers

The Clancy Brothers is the name given to the band comprised of the four Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem. The brothers were; Patrick ‘Paddy’ Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy, and Liam Clancy. They were famous for their wool jumpers and the introduction of Irish music in the U.S. was ascribed to them. Perceiving bitter cold in New York, Clancy’s mother sent woolen sweaters for all of her sons as well as for Tommy Makem. They were so much liked wearing them that the sweaters became their trademark. Tom Clancy died in May, 1990 at the age of 66 following a surgery for stomach cancer. Paddy Clancy died on November 11, 1998 following  surgery for a brain tumor.

5. The Pogues

The Pogues belonged to London, and they are considered the founders of Celtic Punk Movement. They blended typical Irish folk with Punk Rock and politics. The band is comprised of eight members; Shane McGowan, Spider Stacy, Phil Cheveron, James Fearnley, Terry Woods, Jem Finer, Darryl Hunt, and Andrew Ranken. In addition to vocals, the band used many musical instruments; guitar, banjo, tin whistle, accordion, mandolin, piano, mandola, saxophone, hurdy gurdy, bass, and drums. The band released the first album; Red Roses for Me in 1984. ‘Fairy Tale of New York’ is considered the most famous song of The Pogues.

6. Dropkick Murphys

Dropkick Murphys, an American Punk Rock band, was formed in Quincy in 1996. Initially it consisted of seven members; Rick Barton, Mike McColgan, Jeff Erna, Joe Deleaney, Marc Orrel Spicy, McHaggis, and Ryan Foltz. Currently it is comprised of six members; Ken Casey, Matt Kelly, Al Barr, James Lynch, Tim Brennan, Josh Scruffy Wallace, Jeff Da Rosa. ‘Tessie’ was the band’s first and biggest work while the Latest ‘I’m Shipping Up to Boston’ was featured in the Academy Award winning movie The Departed. The band supported the working class, and during the 2004 U.S. Presidential campaign opposed George W. Bush at the forum of Punk Voter.

7.  The Tossers

The Tossers, a Celtic Punk band from Chicago, Illinois, was formed in July, 1993. The group formerly was comprised of the members; Brian Drawer, Clay Hansen, Lynn Bower, Jason Loveall, Nate Van Allen, and Dan Shaw. Currently the band has five members; Tony Duggins, Aaron Duggins, Mike Pawula, Rebecca Manthe, and Bones. In addition to vocals, the band performs using the musical instruments; guitar, tin whistle, fiddle, and drums. The famous full length album of the band; Fine Spring Evening was released on October 28, 2008.

8. Blood or Whiskey

Inspired by Shane McGowan, The Pogues, and The Clash, this Irish Punk band was formed in September, 1993. It originated from Leixlip, County Kildare, Ireland formed by Blood or Whiskey. Blood or Whiskey carried The Pogues’ banner of Celtic Punk and mixed it with the local music. Currently the band members include; Duggs Mulhooly, Chris O’Meara, Peter Mulla, and Pete Townsend. In addition to vocals, the band is equipped with instrumental music including; guitar, drums, bass, and banjo. After the death of Alan Confrey in 2006, the band was deprived of its important tin whistler who performed in the famous first release Blood or Whisky.

9. Flat Foot 56

Owing to use of the Scottish Highland bagpipes like Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, the band from Chicago, Illinois is also known as a Celtic Punk band. It was formed in Chicago, Illinois in the year 2000 by three brothers; Tobin, Kyle, and Justin. The band currently includes Tobin Bawinkel as lead vocals and guitarist, Josh Robieson playing with bagpipes, mandolin, and guitar, Kyle Bawinkel as the bass specialist, and Justin Bawinkel as the drums performer. The band has three trademarks; Circle Pits, Meat Grinders and Amazing Grace.

10. Nyah Fearties

Belonging to Lugton, Scotland, the unique Nyah Fearties folk punk band was among the most famous bands in the 1980s and 1990s. The distinguishing feature of the band was the use of makeshift and imaginative musical instruments. An example of improvisation was the use of inverted tin dustbins to create percussion. At the core of the band were two brothers; Stephen Wiseman and David Wiseman, who were joined intermittently by a number of guest musicians, associates, and friends.

Conclusion:

Punk Rock is a scion of rock music; originating from Protopunk music and Garage Rock in the years 1974 to 1976 in the U.S., U.K., and Australia,   No other genre of performing arts speaks so clearly to the innermost being of a culture so explicitly and so effectively as the popular folk bands do in a particular period. They reflect the prevalent political thoughts, mostly the anti-ruling party thoughts. They are also an important means to keep the folks connected with their roots through necessary adaptations and modernization of the old legends in new molds, new words, and new styles while keeping the old spirit completely intact. New folk bands are like new bottles with old wine in them.