Ashton-Magnuson Media

Dropkick Murphys
11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory Out Now
Debuts #8 On Billboard Top 200 Chart

#2 Best Selling Current Album

The Dropkick Murphys' 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory was the second-best selling current album last week according to Billboard. The band's ninth album bowed in at #8 on the all-inclusive Billboard Top 200. Additionally the album — released through the band's own Born & Bred Records — was the #1 independently released album, #1 Rock Album, #1 Physical Release, #1 Vinyl, and #1 Internet. It falls only 5,000 units behind the #1 album, the soundtrack for La La Land, which won 7 Golden Globes last week.

After nine albums, Dropkick Murphys are attracting some of the best reviews of their illustrious career. Stereogum named 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory their album of the week, writing "The Dropkick Murphys are still capable of making me feel alive the way few bands do." UK blog Drowned in Sound wrote, "11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory makes for a pleasingly valuable addition to their ever-increasing discography." New York's Newsday hailed the album as, "Its most potent album in years."

Dropkick Murphys '11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory' album cover

There's a feeling of purpose throughout the album, influenced by the band's work with The Claddagh Fund, a charity the band established in 2009 to help support addiction recovery as well as children's and veterans' organizations. The band is hands-on in raising funds, mentoring, and lending a helping hand with veterans, youth sports, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Many of the songs reflect these experiences, and the band's sadness, anger and dismay at the opiate epidemic ravaging the country — in particular, Boston and New England — and also their feeling of pride and optimism at the sight of those who have turned their lives around.

Today, the band-owned label Born & Bred also announces an exclusive relationship with the LA-based Dualtone Licensing; the company will represent its masters, including the band's signature song (a co-write with Woody Guthrie), "I'm Shipping Up To Boston," in the film/television/advertising fields.

Tickets are on sale now for Dropkick Murphys' 11 Short Stories Of Pain & Glory tour, which kicks off with a sold out show February 21 at Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA, and culminates with the band's annual hometown run of Boston shows St. Patrick's Day Week (March 15-19), which includes Agganis Arena and three nights at House of Blues.

Find the album, along with limited edition CDs & vinyl, on the band's official webstore.

Dropkick Murphys History

Dropkick Murphys have become ambassadors for their city. In Boston, it seems like everybody knows someone connected to the band whether by blood, friendship, or the time they shared a brew at a Bruins game. They've built a legacy that does Beantown proud. Since their 1996 formation, they've sold a staggering 4 million albums worldwide with 2005's The Warrior's Code achieving an RIAA Gold certification and its smash single "I'm Shipping Up To Boston" nearing double platinum and appearing during a key moment of Martin Scorsese's Academy Award-winning The Departed. Most recently, 2013's Signed And Sealed In Blood netted their second consecutive Top 10 debut on the Billboard Top 200, and debuted at number 6 in Germany. The album spawned standout tracks "The Boys Are Back," "Out Of Our Heads," "Prisoner's Song," and "Rose Tattoo," a fan favorite that has accumulated 24 million views on YouTube — without the aid of being a radio hit. A special version of this song featuring the band's buddy Bruce Springsteen was released as a benefit for the Boston Marathon bombing victims. They've hosted sold out concerts at most of the city's landmarks, including Fenway Park, TD Garden, the Boston Pops, and even the last voyage of the USS Constitution. They updated the Boston Red Sox anthem "Tessie" in 2004, which may or may not have had something to do with the team's first World Series win in 86 years…

Dropkick Murphys Publicity Contacts:

Big Hassle (National PR)
Jim Merlis: jim@bighassle.com; (310) 838-2276

ADA a Warner Music Group company (National PR)
Corey Brewer: Corey.Brewer@ADA-music.com; (212) 707-2151

Ashton-Magnuson Media (Tour/Regional/Specialty PR)
Kristine Ashton-Magnuson: kristine@am-media.net; (818) 996-2496
Ashley Di Buduo: ashley@a12entertainment.com; (323) 379-9684