The Real McKenzies Rats In The Burlap

The Real McKenzies is a Canadian Celtic punk band founded in 1992 and based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are one of the founders of the Celtic punk movement, albeit 10 years after The Pogues.

In addition to writing and performing original music, Real McKenzies perform traditional Scottish songs, giving them a new punk-influenced sound. They have shared stages with many other bands including Rancid, Shane MacGowan, DragStrip Riot, NOFX, Flogging Molly, Xcrosscheckx, The Misfits, Metallica, and Voodoo Glow Skulls.

The Real McKenzies are as punk as they come. They’ll never turn down a drink and have no problem wearing a kilt or two onstage, but they’re also not afraid to address the messed up sociopolitical situation in the world, as you can hear on “Who’d a Thought,” taken from their new album Rats In The Burlap, out April 7 on Fat Wreck Chords in the U.S./Europe and March 24 on Stomp in Canada. Frontman Paul McKenzie comments:

“The Real McKenzies wrote ‘Who’d a Thought’ for the political/social climate that people just like you and I are facing today and, even more so, in the future. One of my favorite all-time bands, the MC5, were the ones who first awakened political awareness within me at a very early age. That was back when tha ‘boil’ was already infected, but just coming to a head. Now that the ‘boil’ has burst, who is expected to clean it up? Who’d a thought? Know your opponent. Here’s to the MC5 and to the awakening of all individuals in terms of worldwide political awareness. Don’t be caught with your kilt up.”

1. Wha Saw the 42nd
2. Up On A Motorbike
3. Whod A Thought
4. Midnight Train To Moscow
5. Lilacs In The Alleyway
6. Yes
7. You Wanna Know What
8. What Have You Done
9. Bootsy The Haggis Eating Cat
10. Spinning Wheels
11. Stephens Green
12. The Fields Of Inverness
13. Catch Me
14. Dead Or Alive