Fri 12/23 @ 7PM
The Boys from the County Hell, fronted by local singer/songwriter/guitarist Doug McKean, are a cut above a mere tribute band. For one thing, the band they pay homage to — rowdy Celtic punk band the Pogues, who enjoyed their peak in the 80s and 90s, are fairly obscure. For another, their shows are mostly seasonal, with a cluster around St. Patrick’s Day & an occasional Christmas show.
They’re emerging from hibernation this week to perform at the House of Blues, with a special treat: McKean’s new “serious” band will be the show’s opener.
McKean is well known from a series of bands and projects he’s been part of, from GC5 and Magpies to holiday band The Ohio City Singers. He’s also put out a series of his own solo releases, with a fifth full-length album titled The Second Golden Age of Piracy, released in 2020. That album, on which he played everything in his basement, was sort of a detour from putting together a new band, which was derailed by the pandemic.
Back then he said he was planning to get back on track with the band when the pandemic lifted. That time is now. He’s recently released several new songs online to whet fans’ appetites. His quartet features three other local heavy-hitters: Andy Leach from New Soft Shoe, Bobby Latina from the Cowslingers and later the Jack Fords, and Brent Kirby from the Jack Fords, The Boys from the County Hell, Ohio City Singers and really just about everywhere. This band should rock pretty hard. Get tickets here.