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(Summer 2005) by George Dionne
Live Street Dogs pics
Some Boston locals may remeber Street Dogs vocalist Mike McColgan from his
early days of fronting local punk favorites The Dropkick Murphys. In 1998
Mike left the group to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter.
It
wasn't long until Mike's past called for his return. In 2002 the Street
Dogs were formed. They released their first album Savin Hill shortly
thereafter. It's now 2005. Mike Colgan and his co-horts have been criss-crossing
the country
in support of their sophomore album Back to the World (read
CD review),
a mature punk album that's loaded with catchy hooks, but at the same time
explores real world issues.
RIL: If I knew absolutely nothing about the Street Dogs, how would
you describe
them to me?
MM: We are a punk rock n roll band who love to record,play
live and tour. We don't take ourselves too serious,we are accessible and
we interact with
our
fans by just talking with them and hanging out. We take the music we make
super serious and we kill ourselves live by giving it one hundred
percent no
matter what. Nice subtle description!
RIL: When I first heard Back to the World I was blown away, I had
never heard a
punk influenced album with such mature subject matters (maybe I live a
sheltered life). Was this a conscious effort by you to write about more
adult issues or did you wake up one day and realize you were grown up
now?
MM: It was not a conscious thing. We just reflected where we were at for
that moment in time. I believe each record a band does reflects where they
are
at
during the time of writing and recording. The next record we do will no
doubt
reflect different topics and also similar topics. You can characterize
the
topics as adult and we believe that they are but as a band and as
individuals we still enjoy healthy amounts of immaturity and insanity!
Time
will not take the boy out of this band.
RIL: Why are you "In Defense of Dorchester"?
MM: Well it is where I grew up and resided in Boston
for the majority of my life. I also believe it has always been unjustly portrayed
in the media
and
by people who reside in the "suburbs" outside of Boston. Dorchester
is a
great place to grow up and certainly it is a real neighborhood with
active
civic groups and people who are tight knit and look out for one
another. It
also has historical significance in Bostoneese and I just tried to
reflect
my advocacy for my hometown in the song.
RIL: Who was the inspiration for "Patrick"?
MM: "Patrick" is a song about a few people! I also want to hide the actual
identity of Patrick as he is still alive but maybe barely. I
have
seen a lot of hard luck cases growing up and through this song I
attempted
to relay that sentiment.
RIL: Your bio states that you served in Desert Storm, is that what
inspired the
songs "Back to the World" and "Tales of Mass Deception"?
MM: My service inspired "Back To The World" directly because through my own
personal experience I attempt to identify with soldiers today who are
deployed. "Tale Of Mass Deception" is based more on the band's discontent
with
a lying figurehead and his administration.
RIL: What in particular caused you to pen them?
MM: "Back To The World" was penned because the war is Iraq has been protracted
and
extremely difficult. I had and still have an enormous amount of empathy
for
the men and woman of our armed forces who are deployed and feeling the
sting
of fear,being away from home and missing loved ones. I just tried to
reflect
the human condition within the song.
"Tale" is more based on the news, the pathetic figurehead puppet leader we
have
in the White House and a special interest based
adminstration. Particulary
our Vice President.
RIL: They say a man changes when he returns from war, did this happen to
you?
MM: Yes in a sense it did. I seen a certain level of horror and that made
me grateful that I got out of it alive. War is inherently heinous and
horrible
by it's very nature. The last option in the diplomacy trail is war and it
sad
that in 2005 that this is still the way and an option but reality is
reality
whether we like it or not.
RIL: How did you change?
MM: I became less gun-ho about conflict, battles and war. I know and realize
that
America requires defense and needs a strong military capable of
defending
her but like I said earlier war is just heinous and the fallout and
aftermath goes on long after the bombs stop dropping. Still I respect,
admire and pray for the men and woman of our armed services
and I hope for their speedy return home. I understand the human condition
aspect of being involved to a degree and that is where my empathy and
respect is born from.
RIL: What do you think about what the United States is doing over there
today?
MM: In Iraq I feel like the justification for involvement
was based on false premises. Clearly there are no weapons of mass destruction
or imminent means
to deliver them to harm us and our allies as was once proported. I
honestly
feel as though our involvement is specail interest based and a by
product of
our desire to control that nation's oil reserve. It being the world's
second
largest oil reserve is not just a coincidence.We are there to eyeball
and
control that, pure and simple.
RIL: Why did you leave the Dropkick Murphy's to become a firefighter?
MM: I had an honest and fervant desire to enter the fire services and pursue
it. I also feel as though I acheived that with four honorable years of
service to the Bopston Fire Department. I have absolutely no regrets. If
faced
with the same set of circumstances again I would make the same dedcision
in
a heartbeat.
RIL: Do you have any exciting tales from the firefighting days?
MM: Yes and no. I mean your first couple of fires are phenomenal because
you are
in awe of the very job that you are entrusted with and the herculian
efforts
it requires to accomplish the work. As time goes on you become acutely
aware
of the perilous danger that surrounds the work and you realize that
every
decision you make during fire suppression is super critical and lives
hang
in the balance most of the time. Knowing your job is often part and
parcel
with protecting lives! Yours and others. No two days
were
ever the same in the fire service, expecting the unexpected is the
code.
RIL: How about funny stories?
MM: Well one time I had to hop a porch and I cleared it like a hurdle to
get in
to a basement fire. My captain and the guys called me Edwin Moses for a
month
because my form was solid, I made the jump like an olympian and helped
knock
down the fire. They broke my balls pretty hard but thats a from of
endearment
in the fire service.
RIL: Why did you choose to return to music?
MM: Because I rediscovered the love of it. The love of
writing, recording, playing
and touring. I am back one hundred percent and I could not be happier. It
has
required a ton of sacrifice but nothing good comes easy.
RIL: Did you try to get back into the Dropkick Murphy's or did you
set your sites
on Street Dogs right away?
MM: I have never attempted to rejoin Dropkick Murphys. When I got back
involved
with music Street Dogs was the impetus, motivation and mechanism that
kick
started that. I love being a member of this group. Performing, wrting and
recording songs with my friends is a thrill. John Rioux, Joe Sirois and
Markus
Hollar are my extended family. I love them like brothers. Tobe Bean is
currently in the mix too on rhythm guitar and even though he is from
Texas
he is also a brother to me.
RIL: Do you regret leaving the Dropkick Murphy's or the Fire Department?
MM: No I stand behind my decision to reenter music full time and I believe
with
one hundred percent of my sprit in what I am doing. I find myself missing
the
guys and the job from time to time but I have finally come to grips with
my
passion and future.
RIL: What's the biggest rumor you've heard about yourself?
MM: That I am playing goaltender for the Boston Bruins this fall as the
starter.
Only problem with this rumor I just created is...I wish it was true.
RIL: What's in the Street Dogs' future?
MM: Playing tons of shows, recording more songs and just attempting to make
an
honest impact with our music a day at a time, a show at a time, a record
at a
time and so on and so forth. Taking our music into the barricade and
the
pit is our mission every show.
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MIKE
MCCOLGAN
