Dropkick Murphys – best described, if you've never heard them, as a punked-up Pogues – are at Newcastle Carling Academy on Monday, February 4.

They are touring the UK to promote their latest album, The Meanest Of Times, which is a blistering piece of work, even by their standards.

It gets off to an explosive start with the uncompromising Famous For Nothing, and continues in similar vein for the next 14 songs before ending in style with a great cover of Thin Lizzy's Jailbreak.

Formed in 1996, their Irish-influenced blue-collar punk rock 'n' roll has earned them a wide fanbase far beyond the shores of the US.

But they're best experienced live, all surging guitars and singalong choruses, and once you've seen them you'll never forget it.

Their annual St Patrick's Day gigs in their hometown have become so popular that in 2005 they sold an unprecedented 12,000 tickets for six shows, smashing the venue sales record originally held by the legendary Ramones.

Their stock was raised even further in 2006 when they supplied I'm Shipping Off To Boston, the lead track, for Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning film The Departed.

To coincide with the UK tour, the band will be releasing The State of Massachusetts EP on Monday, February 11.

Available as a CD, digital download, and limited 7" single, it features the title track, which is taken from the album, plus three songs previously unreleased in Europe.

Tickets for the Academy gig, priced £14, are still available from 260 2020.