The Rumjacks Dead Anthems: Album Review & History
Dive into “Dead Anthems,” where The Rumjacks confront cyclical violence and Irish identity through their Celtic punk sound. Explore the cinematic force of “An Eye for an Eye,” which examines generational hatred and conflict. News Directory 3 reviews how the band honors the legacy of The Pogues, blending conventional Irish music with punk rock. Discover the band’s latest single, “Danny boy,” adding a bittersweet layer to their exploration of Irish themes. Their music, filled with character-driven narratives of triumph and heartbreak, is poised to resonate with audiences.Will their anthems land in Hollywood? Discover what’s next for The Rumjacks and their powerful compositions.
The Rumjacks Explore Cyclical Violence and Irish Identity in ‘Dead Anthems’
Updated May 31, 2025
Celtic punk band The rumjacks confront themes of violence and its repercussions in their music, particularly in their song “An Eye for an Eye” from the album Dead Anthems. The song’s music video depicts intense confrontations,reflecting the band’s exploration of “us versus them” dynamics.
Mike Rivkees, a member of the multinational band, describes “An Eye for an Eye” as one of their most cinematic works. The song uses the backdrop of belfast and The Troubles to explore universal themes of violence and collateral damage. Rivkees notes the song isn’t based on a specific event but rather addresses the broader theme of cyclical violence and generational hatred, also explored in their song “Father’s Fight.”
The Rumjacks’ music frequently enough features character-driven narratives, portraying individuals grappling with internal and external struggles. These stories range from violent epics to tales of triumph and heartbreak, as exemplified in “An Irish Goodbye on St. Valentine’s Day.”
Like many Celtic punk bands, The Rumjacks acknowledge their predecessors. Rivkees notes that joining the band in 2020 helped mend fences with the Dropkick Murphys after past issues with the previous singer.He also stepped in for Dropkick Murphys vocalist Al Barr in 2022 when Barr had to care for his mother. Later, Ken Casey of the Dropkick Murphys contributed vocals to The Rumjacks’ single “Cold Like This.”
Rivkees cites Shane McGowan and the Pogues as major influences, highlighting their ability to blend traditional Irish music with punk rock. he wrote “Some Legends Never Die” following McGowan’s death in 2023, celebrating his ability to capture the duality of Irish identity.
“The biggest impact of McGowan and the Pogues was that there was an entire world of people that were like, ‘Oh, wait a minute, we can blend traditional music with punk music and it effectively works really well,’” Rivkees said.
Rivkees hopes the songs from Dead Anthems will resonate with listeners and potentially attract Hollywood’s attention. He acknowledges the challenges of marketing music in the social media age, where bands often rely on viral moments. The Rumjacks, however, prioritize connection and resonating with the right audience.
“I’m proud of this album,” Rivkees said. “It is a damn good album.”
What’s next
The band hopes “Eye for an Eye” might find its way into a movie, perhaps even ”The Departed 2,” Rivkees joked, referencing the success of “Shipping up to Boston” in the original film. The Rumjacks recently released “Danny Boy,” adding a bittersweet touch to their exploration of Irish themes.