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Iran, Patriotism, Fed-Up White Working Class, Fighting Authoritarians, Will He Run for Office? Opening Day and A Little Yankees Red Sox Smack Talk. FDNY vs NYPD Hockey!
Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff chops it up with Dropkick Murphys fiery and beloved frontman Ken Casey for a high-energy, no-BS conversation about patriotism, protest, and pushing back on authoritarianism at home and abroad. From Red Sox–Yankees trash talk and World Series rings to Ukraine, ICE, Iran and Trump, Ken explains why the band has spent 30 years standing with workers, veterans, cops, firefighters and immigrants—and why staying loud now is a moral obligation, not a branding choice.
The Dropkick Murphys are loved and respected worldwide. And if you don’t know them already, after this episode, you’ll understand why.
Ken and Paul dig into how Trump and MAGA captured huge parts of the white working class, how the “algorithm” changed people we thought we knew, and why courage from artists can help millions find the off-ramp from Trumpism without having to become Democrats. Ken breaks down the power of the No Kings protests happening nationwide this weekend, the possibility of a general strike, and what real patriotism looks like when billionaires, racists and would‑be kings are calling the shots. And, if the “No Kings” protests need a new name.
They also go deep and keep it real on parenting through dark times, the mental health toll of nonstop crises, the healing power of community at shows and in the streets—and if Ken will ever run for office. Or serve as US Ambassador to a place he loves deeply. You gotta watch/hear this. It’s captivating, and inspiring.
-WATCH full video of this episode here.
-Learn more about Dropkick Murphys and see tour dates coming up nationwide.
-Join IVA and stand up to Trump’s Forever Wars.
-Learn more about Paul’s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America.
-Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here.
-Remember Independent is an Attitude.
-Learn more about The Headstrong Project for Veterans, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Department of Veterans Affairs resources in your area. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. It’s a show of strength. If you or a loved one are in immediate crisis, dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
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Would you ever run for office, man? We need people to step up right now.
We're going to need people to clean up this mess. I know you're a Democrat.
I might try to get you to declare your independence and leave the Democratic Party,
but either way, man, if you run, you got my vote and support.
Can we get you to run for anything?
Fuck no.
Independent Americans around the country and around the world.
We have a very special treat, a true honor, a man that I have admired, I have been a fan of,
I have been inspired by, is finally joining me on this show, The Boys Are Back.
And if you don't know the music of Drop Kick Murphy's, you should.
Everything from I'm shipping up to Boston, Rose Tattoo, the state of Massachusetts,
only the strong, The Boys Are Back, of course, and Citizen Ice.
They do tremendous music and creativity and energy and community,
but they also do a ton for this country, for the community and for the world.
Veterans, kids, cops and firefighters, vets, Ukraine, their defenders of our democracy.
So I am very, very honored and privileged to finally have on the show,
The Great and Powerful Ken Casey is here on Independent Americans. Welcome, sir.
What an intro. Can I hire you for my hype, man? That was amazing. Thank you. Thank you.
Before we get started, it's an honor to be here, but before we get started,
because I want this to go, just to go well, you have some propaganda behind your right shoulder,
that I'm going to need you to take down for this interview, please.
No, you're referring, you're referring to the mighty graphic, the mighty New York Yankees.
Oh, Jesus, yeah. I'm just kidding. You can, you know, listen to that.
Listen, with everything that's going on in the world now, that little rivalry seems like
all love, you know, right? I mean, maybe we can even get Yankees and Red Sox fans.
But I got something for you, man. You don't know this, right? And this is special. Okay.
You don't notice my now seven-year-old river, his favorite basketball team in the world,
for a very weird stage of reasons, number of reasons, is the Boston Celtics.
And I have never showed this to anybody in public, but on his fifth birthday,
my brother got him this. I like it. This is what you need to watch on you.
I love it. Someone's got some taste in it. It is a Celtic jersey with the
right-cough name on the back, which if one day he gets trapped in the NBA, ends up being on Celtics,
I'll be okay with that. That'd be really worth something.
If I knew you were going to have that there, I would have brought out my 2004 World Series ring
that the Red Sox gave me. But anyway, did they give you a ring? They gave you a ring?
The Red Sox had been great to us. We've been involved in all their winning years.
And only their winning years, believe it or not, they've never asked us to do anything on the
years they didn't win. So either we're good luck or we just have, you know, good timing.
But yeah, being a part of that, you know, I was on the field in St. Louis,
calling my 86-year-old grandfather who had waited his literal whole life.
So see, sometimes being a loser pays off because when you finally get the win,
it's, you know, that much more valuable. And I'd also like to say I was in Yankee Stadium
when we completed the four-game comeback. And that was a spiritual experience, you know.
But anyway, you got more rings in us all.
That was spiritual, all right, man. That was spiritual.
You know, but I think it's, number one, my other son is a Jets fan. And I've always said that,
you know, that's going to build integrity. It's going to steal your life from adversity, right?
And that's what me and the rest of us fan from.
Yes, because my little shits, my kids, you know, in their early 20s and my youngest is 17.
And it's like they've had to explain to them like, guys, it isn't typically like this, you know.
You have to, you have to be used to losing to appreciate a win. And so there's a whole
generations of spoiled Massachusetts kids who didn't grow up the way I did, you know.
They are spoiled. I don't know if you know, I went to school in Massachusetts, deep behind
enemy lines in Western Massachusetts. So, you know, those were days when the Yankees were winning
and the red socks were stinking. And I had a lot to talk about. But my kids are 10 and 7.
They don't believe me that the giants actually used to be good.
Yeah, they like that. That's not true. They were never really good. I'm like, no, they were actually
really good. They won a bunch of Super Bowls and against the Patriots too.
Yeah, oh, those hurt. Yeah.
But, you know what, man, you are, you are, you guys have always been, I think, a kiss, a good
luck to Boston, to this country, to the world. I ask everybody, this can't, first of all, happy
opening day. I want to, I want to hear your thoughts on opening day. But I ask everybody on the show,
where are you? And especially in what is trying times, it's opening day. We got some joy.
We don't want them to take away our joy. Joy is an important form of resistance. And we got
opening day. But where are you, my friend? And how are you?
I am well. Thank you. I'm home in Boston and I'm excited. You know, the Red Sox say,
you know, we've become a since our billionaire owner to decide to turn us into the Oakland A's.
You know, it's nice to be rooting for a, for a young team. I would like to spend, you know,
spend some money to get it over the line. But, you know, it's nice to, it's nice to be competitive.
We had a few years where, you know, baseballs, you go through a horrible winter here and
baseballs, what you, you know, part of the summer plans. And it sucks when you're out of it by
July. You know, so I'm looking forward to just another fun season. It's a fun team to watch.
And I don't have any predictions. I typically do, but I've learned to, in my older age, I've
become wiser and I've guided my predictions a little, a little closer, you know.
Did you watch the World Baseball Classic? You guys want the youngest guy on the team?
Yeah. And if, and if, and if our bats, if they can bring that back, you know, and, and
and swing the bats and stuff like that, we'll have a good year. So,
and the World Baseball Classics, a great tournament. And, you know, it's nice that it's before
the season and doesn't have to like upend stuff the way, you know, like the, the, the Olympics
do for hockey or that for four nations, you know, where teams are losing, you know, some of the
like us losing Charlie McAvoy coming back from that last year. As much as those are great tournaments
to watch, it sucks when it throws a curveball at your team season afterwards.
For sure. Well, we might have the next versus the Celtics in the playoffs. Maybe I'll have you back on the show
when we get, when we get to that point. But in the meantime, I think, you know, you bring it up to something important.
It's been a hard winter. I mean, not just the weather, but the politics, you know, the, the controversy,
the bloodshed, now war. You know, you're a guy who is been inspiring and you've been, you guys have been
to Ukraine, you've helped veterans, you've done so many important things, you know, responding to,
to need and Boston when stuff happens. I want to get to the serious issues, but I want to ask you,
just as like a leader, as a person that inspires people every time you open your mouth or you do something,
how do you get through hard winters? How did you get through what brought you through it and got
you to this spring where hopefully we have some more hope and we have some more unity, but how do
you get through hard times, man? You know, it depends on the day, you know, when I'm home and
off tour and I'm looking at the news and there's two feet of snow outside, you know, I'm just like
everybody else where you can be, you got to be careful that you need to recharge your own battery,
you know, so that you don't, and that's what this authoritarian regime wants. They want people to
just say, effort, man, I can't, I can't look at the news anymore. And then you take your eye off the
prize for even three days and there's been so much crime, corruption and killings and kidnappings
that, you know, you missed tragedies happening to a lot of people and money being stolen from, you
know, taxpayers. So you got to recharge your battery when I'm home, you know, friends and family,
and when I'm on tour, I'm blessed with the ability to have this fan base give us back so much love,
you know, so we're in a unique position where we've chosen to speak out and be vocal, which
just seems like the only thing to do, you know, a lot of times people will chalk us up and they'll
say, well, otters shouldn't speak up. And I said, well, I disagree with that, but even if I
agreed with that, if you're an artist or an athlete, if you're an artist that for 30 years,
since its inception, his spoke about workers rights, human rights stood on picket lines,
done all the things we've done over 30 years, then why would we be quiet now? And that's,
you know, and I just feel so strong to be able to stand on that track record of 30 years,
of never changing our tune. And I would say to many mega that, that a butt hurt that, that the
dropkick Murphy's, you know, decided to be involved in politics, a lot of those people you have to
remember white working class voters were a big part of our fan base that were a lockstep with us,
that were, you know, regular union guys or cops or firemen or whatever. And then this guy came
down the escalator and somehow a silver spoon billionaire convinced half this country that he had
their best interest in mine. And that's just insanity, you know, and then, and not to not to say
because there's a lot of people that are on the Trump team that are just flat out racists
under the rock, like that, their whole life. And this guy just came along and gave them the
freedom to speak, you know, in these ugly terms and talk down to people and talk down to women.
But I also think, and I say this from people that I know in my life personally,
that weren't racists, that were good people, but they got hooked on the lie. And then you get
hooked on the algorithm. And then fast forward 10 years later. And you're not the person I knew 10,
15 years ago. So I think there's an element of some people have always been that and he's been
their vehicle to come out a hiding and out of the shadows. And there's other people that
for whatever reason, maybe they bought into it for something like no, no, no, it was, you know,
that that is an admirable, you know, thing to get behind, even though, of course, you know,
like all his promises, he didn't keep it. But my point is, even if you came into it for something
simple like taxes or you thought it was better for business, you know, I'm talking, you know,
2016. But now you've been dragged down mentally by whether it be the algorithm or just becoming
used to years of this rhetoric. And then talk about younger people. There's people that have now
voted in, and, you know, two potentially three elections that have never known civility in politics.
They just think, this is politics. You'll say to us, stay out of politics. And I say, I don't even
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I consider this about humanity. But there's people that have only known this one thing.
I think that's really important because some folks have tried to normalize this. It's not
normal. It's not acceptable. There's the old saying, you might not be in the politics for politics
is into you. This is a time where it's into everybody. You guys have been very brave. I want
to celebrate that because I feel like the Grammys might have been kind of a tipping point,
right, where artists felt comfortable not even saying his name, but challenging ice, right? That
was like a gateway. It's a people kind of breaking the seal on ice. And now the Iran war opens up
another flank. And then maybe those two things will triangulate around understanding that Trump is
the reason why a lot of this bad shit is happening. But you guys have been brave. You've been patriotic.
You caught a lot of shit for it. But you also part of why I wanted to talk to you, Ken,
you got your feeling, your fingers on the pulse of where the country is and where it's going. You've
been around for a long time. You guys saw this grow. You've seen it really grow. Now you're seeing it
start to change. And you understand it on a very visceral level. But the top topic I want to bring
to you is the all of it, right? You kind of took us there. But I think it's really, really important.
I was going to say, you know, Iran, ice, Trump go. But you really, you really started to open that
up in this conversation. And I just think that the moral example or their lack of that he sets
as maybe the thing that's finally had people to have it and they say, you know, what he lied to me?
He lied to me. He lied to me about taxes. He lied to me about new and new wars. He lied to me about
keeping us safe. He lied to me about putting troops on the streets. And now he's trying to say to you,
hey, don't believe your eyes. Believe me. And people know it's bullshit. But talk about this moment.
And especially the war, the forever war, because it's not just Iran. He wants to keep going.
He has no checks on him. And he's just all gas. No breaks. You guys have spent a lot of time
helping veterans, helping cops, helping firefighters. You know the cost of war. Can you talk about
this moment with the war in particular and how you see it impacting people?
Yeah. So it's a lot to cover there. And I think that, you know, one of the reasons that we speak
out is because aside from, like I said, we spoke out all along, but we've also, you know, that
the, the, the idea of patriotism has been so co-opted, you know, that you're not a patriot or, you know,
if you're not a Christian, the way I say, you know, right wing national, Christian nationals,
you don't, you know, you're not worthy of God. If you don't, you know, wave your flag
and hate, hate others who just arrived here, which is ironic for, you know, people from the
Northeast or anywhere where, you know, chances are one or two generations ago, we were the immigrants.
You know, and, you know, implyingly supporting whatever a president said at that, you know,
that was never what patriotism meant to me, you know, meant all the things that America was supposed
to stand for arguably make to a degree never did. But, you know, that we were the beacon of hope,
the beacon of freedom. We were the people that would should be given someone to hand up,
treating their neighbors well, kindness, love, tolerance, you know, and I, and I, and I say that
with the preference that, you know, America has had its failings, even in its best of times. But,
those are the things that I thought America strived to be. And now we're striving to be the opposite,
with a bully on the world stage, I travel the country, you know, a lot of the, a lot of the country,
a lot of the year. And I felt like in the first, um, Trump presidency,
and even through the Biden one, because of the division, um, Europeans almost looked at us like,
we were hostages, you know, the people who weren't Mago or just like, they felt bad for us. Like,
oh, I can't believe you have to live there. Now I've seen the tune change internationally to us like,
hey, we, we felt bad for you. But now like, if you don't get out there on the street and like,
be ready to take a bullet to get rid of this guy, then fuck off because now it's affecting
the world economy and the world's safety. So I feel I see the world losing its patience with
even the people who don't support Donald Trump because they said, well, it's your country fix it.
Look at how South Korea fixed it immediately when, you know, they tried to seize power and whatnot.
So the world is expecting more of all of us. And so I can say it's nice to be when we're going
to other countries, it's nice to not, we still have to drag the shame, but we have to drag it a
little less because at least we are active. We trying to resist. Um, and as a ban who's been
speaking out since 2000, well, like I said, a whole career, but speaking out against Trump,
since before he was ever elected the first place, trying to warn like, I don't know,
I'm not a political scientist, but I got a pretty good bullshit detector. And right off the
rip was like, really? You guys believe what this guy saying? Um, and I would always say to my
friends like, he wouldn't piss on you if you were on fire on the sidewalk, you know what I mean?
And, and, and, and I just knew that was the case. And so we spoke out since then and no one would
speak out. And what I say to bans now that is starting to come off the sideline, whether it's bans
or, or actors or whatever is like, it's easy now. Let's take your kick at him when he's down.
You know what I mean? Like if, if, if, if you're not ready to come out now when citizens are
being executed in the streets and there's, you know, uh, legitimate, you know,
pedophile allegations like, and, and a war that nobody wanted, like, what else would it take
for you to come off? So I say now, like, I'm not going to judge anyone for being silent prior.
If you're ready now for whatever reason that took you this on, come on out. The water's fine.
Don't be scared. And it's almost like the equivalent of like being the third guy in in a fight,
like kicking him when he's down, you know what I mean? And, and, and, and you'll still get hate
and this still, you know, these clowns, I will say like in the early days of us speaking out of,
it would, it would kind of suck because no one would really like defend us on a, on a, on a
internet level. Because even people didn't want to like, if you were getting him and by MAGA
bots or Russia or whatever, people wouldn't want it turning on them. And, and now when someone
comes in with negative comments, like, one, they get piled on by the, by society. And two,
it's almost laughable. Like, you're still going around putting your name to paper on the internet
to defend this guy's, you know, character and policies. It's like, man, how low will you go? You
know, so, so, you know, and where are we today? I mean, the, the fraud, and, you know, is just
incalculable. But, well, my, well, my worry is not only like, well, we have the balls
when we get power again to go after all these people, not Merrick Owl and let's let it just, you know,
hope everyone, you know, turns over a new leaf because we've proved you can't trust humanity. You
have, there's a reason we need real rules and laws. But, man, where the hell are they going to get
all the people to work? You know, after all the those cuts, like, the amount of prosecutions
and investigations that have been needed is just mind-bulk. President Barack Obama. Virginia,
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So yeah, I was going to say it's a battle for the soul of our country and it's going to be long,
it's going to be hard. And then when the battle is finally one, which I believe will win,
then you got to rebuild, you know, like they had to rebuild World War II after the war, right?
And it's going to take a lot of people. But I think you're touching on something that I really
want to celebrate about you guys. It's really important is, you know, in these times, especially
in the darkest of times, we need voices to the world that say Americans are not all on board with
this. Americans are not all fucking crazy. Americans are not all cruel. And you guys speaking out
was very important because that, you know, I remember 2004 when the Dixie Chicks first spoke out
and they got hammered, right? And then eventually it gets to the point where I say Americans
are not stupid. They're slow oftentimes, but they're not stupid. They eventually get there,
right? And they got there on a rock. They got there on Afghanistan. And they're going to get
there on him too. But I do feel like you guys opened that hole for other artists to go through. And
then the Grammys kind of really pushed it open because it went to the point where it wasn't cool,
right? If you if you were supporting ice, if you weren't speaking out, it wasn't cool. And the
less cool it gets to support Trump is very important. I think in pop culture, right? And not
just the fact that he's 80 years old and he's a pedophile and he's a rapist and he's starting
wars. Nobody wants. But you know, there was this little moment where people are, I don't think he's
that cool, but I'm afraid of him. And now they see that momentum shift and you guys are at the
front of it. It's going to I think see a big spike point this weekend at the No Kings rallies
and protests are going to happen around the country and around the world. You guys are going to be
at that in Boston. Can you talk about, I think this one's going to be really big because it's the
first one since the Iran War really, you know, unfolded. I have only one bone to pick with them.
I wish they wouldn't call it No Kings. I wish they would just put a point on it and say no Trump.
If they said no Trump, they might have three extra number of people, but the whole No Kings thing.
I mean, you're a master storyteller. It's a little complicated for people to understand sometimes,
but no Trump is some almost everybody can get behind. And so now you got no ice. You got no Trump.
You got no kings. You got no Iran. But at the end of the day, it's going to be potentially a
warm day on the Northeast, you know, spring break is here. Kids are back, you know, with time and
people have pissed off. I mean, what are you expecting and what are you hoping to achieve
at No Kings this weekend, man? Well, you know, people, does that debate where some people will say,
you know, No Kings, what's the point? We march down a road or we get in a park and we, you know,
and I will say there is a point. It's not enough. It's not going to end there. But
two things getting back to what we talked about before about like, how do you keep yourself saying
having done the first No Kings in April in Boston, the sense of community and that sense of
feeling that you get when you go, because, you know, the news is so bad and the Trump supporters
are so freaking loud and obnoxious that at times it makes you feel like they must be the majority.
And you go out on a day like that, like No Kings, and you realize like you're in that community
of people who want to see America do the right thing. You almost can take like a deep breath and go,
okay, like there's hope here, you know. Secondly, I'll say, in my mind, and you see this from the
the boycotts of, you know, the streaming platforms and whatnot after the Jimmy Kimmel stuff,
the real way to make this Epstein billionaire class listen is to hurt them in their wallet.
And I think that aside from getting people out of office election wise, you know, that it would
probably come to a general strike of some sort to really shut the system down. People don't go
from no participation to a general strike. Do you know what I mean? Like we're not even at the
numbers on the straight up participation level yet. So I think that if we can say,
get the No Kings numbers. So I think it's somewhere in the maybe the 12 million. I think I heard
a 12 13 million way you get to that like percentage of the population that if we could then get
that same amount of people to enact a general strike, okay. But like I said, you got to involve
the people. You got to get them invested in in protest. You got to get them invested in taking
in the resistance. So I feel like one, the No Kings days are good for community and restoring your
hope that there's other people that also are thinking sanely, but two, I think it's a step in
activating people towards larger, more prolonged resistance. And so that's why we take part in it.
And I do think your idea of, you know, changing the name to no Trump is a great idea.
I'm going to say that from stage. I'm going to steal your line.
Well, I think it's, yeah, I mean, look, it's a moment, right? And movements evolve, right?
And strategies evolve and leaders emerge. And you've been such a great leader. You're going to have
the mic. You're going to have a tremendous ability to help people understand this moment. But the
point you're making is really quick. I know that from organizing veterans. Community is key,
right? For hope, for power, but also just to know you're not alone and to share that pain,
share that burden, but also share the energy and the hope that's out there. Like, you know,
I'm going to take my kids this weekend. You know, they got a chest torment and basketball. And
then I'm taking them and they don't know, I think the energy that they're going to feel when
they're a part of that. And I want them to see democracy, right? All it's different, beautiful
and ugly forms. And we don't, we're all, you know, we all, of course, also concerned about the
security situation. We don't know how it's going to respond. So it's fucked up that I have to
worry about whether or not I can take my kids to a protest. But it's also about that courage to
get out there and and be a part of this and to say that you stood up and you weren't just
complicit. Let me ask you to go, Ken below the radar and a point that I think is is related.
You guys have fans of all kinds. A lot of them are mega supporters, Trump supporters that maybe
are still with you. Maybe they're a little quieter. Maybe they've left. There's the famous
video of you, you know, challenging the guy who's got the mega shirt on it. One of your shows
say it's not made in America, right? That thing is going everywhere. But can you talk a little bit
more about how you see those people that maybe not weren't going to change. My brother's got
a best, a good friend. I'm not going to mention his name. You know who you are and he's been flying
Trump flags and he's been all in a Trump, you know, fucking up Christmas every year. And my brother
called me and he said, hey, he's off. I said, you got to be fucking kidding me. He said, no, he's
done. He said he's done. He's done with him. And I said, if this guy is done with him, that's a big
fucking deal because he was hardcore as hardcore as they come. Can you talk about that change that
you're seeing, not just in Boston, but in your travels around the country and what that means?
Yeah, I think I get some of my best feedback when, you know, after every show, I stay down in front
of the stage to thank those people that are right up front because those people up front at a show
is really what drives the energy for us, you know what I mean? Like I said, I'm a sitting
in the balcony guy now when I'm at a concert, but you know, the kids down front singing along with
the fish in the air. And I have a lot of people that'll say to me like, you know, I'm concerned,
you know, especially when we're playing in the self, I'm conservative, but I don't, I don't support
this guy. I don't support this bullshit. This isn't right. We don't treat people like this. And you
know, that to me, if you're, I've never been a conservative, but like if you're going to say what
you allegedly preach like, you know, a lot of those family God, you know, like that's not about
kicking people in their down and shooting people on the street. And I think a lot of these true
conservatives are saying, wait, man, why do we let this guy tarnish our image, you know? And even
though, you know, I consider myself a leftist like, you know, it's nice to have a sane conversation
with someone who, you know, aligns to values that are different than mine, but yet they're not
Trump, you know, because Trump is not, he's not anyone's values, but his own, man, you know.
So I see a change, I see, I see one of the main reasons that every show we speak out is you
hit the nail on the head is just normalizing speaking out. Like, listen, the last thing I want to
do is talk about that fucking guy. You know what I mean? I never want to utter his name again.
But every night, I do it because one I want to be on record that dropped kick Murphy's took
a stand every night because not everyone falls it on the internet or whatever. And two, I want to,
I can, I can say, when I say something out of show, the cheer gets louder and louder. And I
was saying it in 2016, it wasn't shooting fish in a barrel. We, as you know, we have been there
for veterans throughout our whole career. We've been there for first responders throughout our
whole career. So I know that there's a large percentage of our fan base that that may lean
conservative. And, you know, and to those people, you know, even them, and I've said, I said this
before on another one of my rants on stage, it went kind of viral. I said, in a very red area,
I said, do you mind if I have your ear for a minute? Because you know, if you're of your
someone who leans right, you know, and you don't agree with what I'm going to say, have we not earned
your respect and maybe attention for two minutes in the fact that we've played at the funerals
of soldiers that have come home. We've played at the funerals for first responders, you know,
we've been there with the families. We've donated to the families like we're not just taught, we're
action. And, and I think that has given, even if they've given us the finger when I'm saying it,
it's given when I, when I frame it like that, the boy, all right, I'll listen to what you,
you know, you have to say. I mean, I remember we played, we played at the, to show you how far
this is seeped into our culture. We played at the international convention for the IAFF,
the five fighters union was in Boston. And we were booked to play like the end party at a kind
of outdoor tent at like 5,000 cap venue, private thing for the five fighters. And they had just had
JD Vance speak that, that day. And I was bullshit because I didn't really like the fact that we were
playing this, you know, different venue, but down the street. So I said, hey, man, I got to say
something and they were telling me, don't say anything. I, I'm membership too divided, don't say
anything. And I said, I'm playing at a union event. And you're telling me not to say anything.
You booked the wrong fucking bat, you know what I mean? And, you know, it's just insane that,
that rank and file union members are willing to vote against their own best interest, you know.
Even at no kings, where's the labor unions? They're not, I don't, I don't, I don't, the building
trades aren't speaking at these events. Why is that? They'll, they'll be there to support, you know,
but behind the scenes, it's crazy. You know, look at, look at, look at the teamsters. I love
you, Sean O'Brien, but Elon Musk and friggin, uh, basals are going to automate everything and
there's going to be no work left for anyone. Why are we voting for these people or anyone that
supports them? Am I crazy? Am I radical? You know, and I think it's really, really important,
because you bust the seal and courage is, is contagious. And I think there's a really important
point that I want to make to folks too, because I, you know, I got friends that have been hardcore
and you don't have to be a fucking Democrat. And that's why this show is so important too, right?
You don't have to go full-bore and vote for Elizabeth Warren or love AOC. You just got to leave
them and stop giving him your name and your support and your good name and your honor, right? He's
been smirching all of you and there's a, there's a, there's a, there's an off ramp and an off ramp
can be coming to a protest. It can be listening to this show. It can be going to a drop, kick my
Murphy's show, right? And you don't have to go all in and change your affiliation and, you know,
vote for for Mamdani in order to leave this, right? And be a part of what the future is. And I
think that's an important message for people to hear. Your music is contagious, but so is the
energy and the power and the spirit. That's why every time I hear a track come on, it just kind of
goes over me like so many other folks, because you know it's about so much that we don't have the
power necessarily or the creativity to say ourselves. I got to ask you one thing, Ken, and then we'll
go to something good. Would you ever run for office, man? We need people to step up right now.
We're going to need people to clean up this mess. I know you're a Democrat. I might try to get you
to declare your independence and leave the Democratic Party, but either way, man, if you run, you got
my vote in support. Can we get you to run for anything? Fuck no. I think I can do way more
telling the truth from the outside. I mean, listen, part of the reason that the Democratic Party lost
so many rank and file working class union members is because a lot of the Democrats became bought and
paid by corporate interest and stuff. So until we take money out of politics, nothing's really ever
going to change. I believe one side votes, the voting records is way better than the other side,
but there's still some people that aren't doing enough and won't do enough. That's where people
got disenfranchised and started to look for something different. Obviously, it backfired and it
didn't work. All I will say is that we've had a lot of problems under the surface, whether it's
still be rampant racism, whether it be dark money in politics, and all I can hope for that will
come out of this, is that the real change that we kind of need it all along will happen. And you
made that analogy back to FDR and after World War II and getting back to things that take care of
people. Why is the richest country in the world not providing health care for people? Why are we not
taking care of our homes? Why are we not taking care of our homeless veterans? Both sides love the
point to fingers. But what's the point in fingers and just get it done? Right now, we're going
in the exact opposite way. One side, the right loves to talk about how they love the veterans,
you know what I mean? But where's the action? Where is the action? I don't see it. I just see the
deficit skyrocketing and billionaire is getting richer. I don't see how that's helping veterans.
So no, I won't run for politics. I'll just keep screaming into my microphone.
I'll, a true story when my friend, Marty Walsh, you know, ran for, became mayor of Boston.
He put me on the mayor before, Manminino had been mayor for 20 plus years. So
and Manminino kept things tight to the vest with his inner circle. So it was a challenging task to
come in and kind of learn how to, you know, reshape and govern the city of Boston. And
and Marty put me on one of his transition teams, the economic development transition team.
And the reason I ended up on that is because I would, Manminino was famous for just being
old fashioned and not doing, you know, cool stuff with the arts and things like that. And I would
always be traveling in other cities around the world and talking to Marty and you should see what
they're doing in Berlin today. They have this festival and this fair and there's all these people.
Why does Boston do this stuff? So he thought I had a good, you know, I to the outside world and
whatnot. And so he puts me on the the economic development transition team. I went to the first
meeting. It was about 30 people and I'd never been in a room with so many fucking blowhards in my life.
And well, then I said, that sucked. And I went to the second meeting and I lasted about 15 minutes
and they said, I'm out of here. I cannot take this. So, you know, I'll just stay on the
stay on the sidelines and keep telling the truth. Well, we need that too, but I'm going to still
keep on you because we're recruiting. And there's a lot of different ways to serve. And I think one
of the most important ways you serve, you know, anybody who's seen your shows or goes to your shows
knows about the atmosphere you create, the command climate, the example you set for our kids.
And I've taken my kids to a lot of shows and oftentimes they'll see somebody who understands
the community that you build when people come to his show, right? I mean, I remember taking my
kids to Michael francey once and the love and the kindness and how he elevates old people.
And then we've been, you know, heavy metal shows that can do the same. All different shows,
but you guys always bring that spirit of community and brotherhood and sisterhood in a way that
is so powerful. It's an example to our kids. And that I think I'm most grateful for. But I got to end
with something good. All right, I'm going to go first. I got a special one that's perfect for you.
And then I'll come over to you. For folks that have been listening to show for a long time,
you know, we support cops, firefighters, first responders. You know, a great friend, Rob Sarah,
9-11, first responder, American heroes, often been on this show. And he is promoting. And I want
to remind you, this weekend, Sunday is the 52nd annual FTNY versus NYPD hockey game. The event is
sold out. It's always amazing. It's at the UBS arena. Long Island sports network is going to
have it. It'll be online post clips. But it's a really an inspiring day. It's always a reminder
about our 9-11 versus responders who continue to fight toxin exposures and issue that I care about
a lot myself. And we've supported on this show. But it's a great example of how people can beat
the hell out of each other for a game. And then when it's over, they shake hands and they're all in
the same fight. It's an example to our kids and to our country. I know it's baseball season,
but it's also getting in to be a fun time in hockey. And this game is always a highlight of the
calendar and shout out to Rob Sarah. And everybody to raid fight for foundation, the FTNY foundation,
NYPD, all those guys. It's going to be an awesome day. And we celebrate you. And it's definitely
something good. All right, Ken Casey, over to you. What do you got, man? What's something good?
Well, I'm going to, by the way, shout out to that game. And that's why hockey is the greatest game
that the gloves probably will hit the ice in that game. And then, but you know, it's the only
sport where you can literally try to take someone's head off for 60 minutes and hug each other afterwards.
It's amazing. But I'm going to switch it up a little bit here because my mother, the woman,
you know, just me and my mother growing up and she raised me to be the human that I am today
for better or worse. And she's coming up on her 80th birthday. And before I call, I was just
trying to figure out how the hell I'm going to do something worthy of an 80th birthday. So
shout out to Eileen Casey, the greatest woman on earth. And we'll acknowledge her pending big day.
Bravo. Eileen Casey, you are.
School me some good. School me some good points with her too. So
it was my mom's birthday last week and she's turning 80 next year. So I'm going to have to get
your notes. But if your mom is lit, you know, I know she's incredibly proud of you as any parent
would be, man, you're so inspiring and she must be as well. Your family, your crew, all the guys
in the band, you guys, you know, leaderships about sacrifice. And you guys, you know, they see
you on stage. They don't see the threats you get. They don't see the hard work you put in.
Maybe what about ambassador to Ireland?
Well, listen, Claire Cronin, Brockton Mass, shout out. She was Biden's ambassador.
Ireland did a kick-ass job. She went over and immediately sanctioned the Irish mob who had
ruined the sport of boxing in Ireland with corruption and threats and all that. And she came in
and dropped the hammer and internationally sanctioned the mob in Dublin. So she's got balls of
steel. And we actually played at the at the American, the US embassies,
fourth of Joe, they throw a big fourth of July party in Dublin. And we wouldn't have said
yes to that for anyone but a Brockton gal. So I would take that job. Yes, you should see the
whole thing. Right. I mean, you could have some great parties and the music would be awesome.
You'd be a great cultural empire. We'll put a pin in it. If that will work on your nomination,
once we get a new president. But dude, you've been an amazing patriot, a role model, courageous,
brave. If folks aren't already dropped kick Murphy's fans, they are now not just about the
music, but about the work and the spirit and defending our democracy, man. That's what you guys
have been doing for so long and giving people a real touchstone that they need in times like this,
especially. So I'm grateful for your leadership, your friendship, your support, props to you and
everybody who's going to be out in the streets and at the job kick Murphy's shows in a days ahead.
I hope you'll come back again, man. Thank you for all you. Thank you for all you're doing.
You had to end it like that, your son of a bitch.
Thanks, Paul.
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