When I started this project, I just wanted to do something with my friends. My love and thanks go out to all of you- Mike Hooligan, John Adams, Brandon, Fat Man, Magoo, Josh Hynes, Vaughn, Brad, Adam, Pete, Rob, MFG, Angry Al, Skull, Austin, and BG. The record wouldn’t be what it is without you.
But this is really for my oldest and dearest friend- Al Barr.
I met Al as a 14 year old Skinhead puking tequila into a sink in a punk house on Cabot Street. The year was 1986. Portsmouth,NH
I threaten to kill him.
Through many trials and tribulations that maybe some day will be documented somewhere- we became and have remained friends.Al stuck with me through 18 years of prison, we remained in contact while he toured with Dropkicks Murphys and I toured the Federal Prison System.
When I got out, he was one of the first people I spoke to.
When we met up he gave me an envelope with more money in it than most Mafia guys get.
Always guest listed me and anyone I asked and took care of my family in the same way when I was inside.
I went on tour with Dropkick Murphys and Rancid in 2021 and in the middle of the masks and hand sanitizer put 20 pounds of muscle on him with the 3 sets of dumbells we had between us and Tim Armstrong.
Between the bus calls, the sound checks, the shows, and me occasionally punching people out, our bond became stronger.
The people I met, and living on a bus with Al, Matt Kelly, and Giant ass Lee was one of the best times of my life.
And then we learned that Al’s Mom was sick.
Instant stress.
Al’s father had passed just years prior and Al had toured through the end stages of his illness as stressful as that may have been, Al showed up.
We finished the tour.
Flew back from Los Angeles with more anxiety than when we drove through a hurricane in Connecticut.
Al Barr stepped away from everything to help care for his mother Ingrid as she battles Lewy body dementia.
Anybody can stand on a stage.
Anybody can talk about family and loyalty.
Not everybody is willing to walk away from the spotlight to live those values for real.
Not for attention. Because family comes first.
This is for Al, this is for Ingrid.
Friends, Family, Forever
We are all CITTIZINS
3 Weeks ago I got back on stage with @dropkickmurphys
For the first time in a little over 4 years. It was strange & wonderful.
Something I had been so much a part of for 24 years came to a very abrupt halt.
Helping to care for my mother with my sister was never on my bingo card. But I felt a calling to do this, just as I had felt a calling to be the lead singer of dkm for over 2 decades. Life is very unpredictable sometimes…
It felt so amazing to be back on stage again, doing what I love! Thank you again to the band & crew for helping to make it happen. To the folks that were there thank you for welcoming me back,(even for just a moment).🙏🏻❤️✨
Every story has it’s beginning, the people at the beginning of my story helped shape the road I started on…
Renate & Lenny Leblanc opened up their home ( & it was by no means big),to our first band DVA.
Their oldest son Karl was our bass player so we had a bit of an in.
But this was late 83’/early 84’ & most parents were not having a punk band set up in the living room every Saturday.
The Lablanc’s fed us, let us use their vehicles, & encouraged us , most importantly. It was Lenny & Mausi who booked our first studio time,( a little 8 Trk studio) across the street directly from the Lablanc family home. This lead to our first demo tape which we sold at local record shops.
These were working class people, who worked hard & still found the time to encourage young dreams… Karl & I went on to play in one other band together while in high school & then made our separate ways, always maintaining a very close friendship (brotherhood).
Renate left this mortal coil yesterday.
All my love &prayers are with the family of my dear friend & brother @radio_kong 💔🙏🏻❤️
Time flys & that is no lie!! @harlow.barr 17 years old today! We are so proud of you sweetheart.❤️ You are so loved! I hope you have the best day ever!! Happy birthday Harlow Jane Barr!!! Love you so very much!!❤️✨🔥💥🎉🙏🏻
This is what I did for most of my life , since I was 14/15 years old…I miss it so very much. I wish @dropkickmurphys nothing but the best. ✨
I hope to rejoin there ranks someday…🙏🏻
Congratulations to @dropkickmurphys on their New Album.
I am happy to report that I am singing on a track ,titled
“The Vultures Circle High”.
I hope everyone has a happy hump day!✊🏻✨
