Dropkick Murphys are an American Celtic punk band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996.[5] The current lineup consists of co-lead vocalist and bassist Ken Casey, drummer Matt Kelly, co-lead vocalist Al Barr (on hiatus from the band since 2022), rhythm and lead guitarist James Lynch, lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Tim Brennan and multi-instrumentalist and rhythm guitarist Jeff DaRosa. Casey has been the band's only constant member since the band formed.

The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records; they released five albums for the label and built a reputation around New England and the East coast through persistent touring. They expanded their schedule to include national and international tour dates, and began a tradition of yearly St. Patrick's Day week shows, held in and around Boston. The 2004 single, "Tessie,” an homage to a Boston Red Sox fanclub (the Royal Rooters) became the band's first mainstream hit and one of their biggest charting singles to date. The band's final Hellcat release, 2005's The Warrior's Code, included the song "I'm Shipping Up to Boston." The song was featured in the 2006 film The Departed and became the band's only platinum-selling single to date. The band is known for their loud, energetic live shows.