The Best Irish Rock Bands – Butch’s Top Five

It's St. Patrick's Day, and besides green beer, green shirts, and corned beef, when I think of March 17th each year, I think about jamming out to a little Irish rock. There are some great American punk rock bands like Dropkick Murphy's that I enjoy, but this list is for real Irish rock! Here are my five favorite bands. 

#5: Van Morrison

Van Morrison may not be a hard rocker, but it's hard leaving him off of any Irish musician list. His reputation speaks for itself, both musically ('Gloria,' Brown Eyed Girl,') and with the multiple honors that have been bestowed upon the Irish singer/songwriter. He's a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and the winner of multiple Grammy Awards.

#4: Flogging Molly

Lead singer Dave King is a Dublin native, but Flogging Molly accrued the majority of their following performing weekly shows at the Los Angeles pub Molly Malone’s. Badass live show too!

#3: My Bloody Valentine

My Bloody Valentine are a band formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1983. Oh, and they single-handedly created their own music genre... Shoegazing! Several mainstream rock bands have cited My Bloody Valentine as an influence including the Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, and Radiohead.

#2: U2

Butch, how could you not have U2 at number one on this list? Well, good question. Many consider them the preeminent Irish rock band, but most of their success came in the U.S., so to me (go ahead and argue) they become number two...

#1: Thin Lizzy

With charismatic front man, Dublin son, Phil Lynott spinning a raucous yarn with tales of how "The drink will flow and blood will spill" complemented by Scott Gorham and Brian Robertson's electrifying dual-lead guitar parts, "The Boys are Back in Town" remains one of rock and roll's great anthems, and these guys are my number one Irish Rock band...