Let's go, Murphys!

The floor trembles, sending shockwaves through the soles of the chaotic and spontaneous crowd's shoes as the deafening noise envelopes them. It's Nov. 13, and there's an earthquake at the 9:30 Club: Dropkick Murphys.

At 815 V Street, Northwest D.C., the band awaits in a smoke filled interior, with beer-soaked floors and enough energy to fuel a million batteries.

Before Dropkick Murphys began, three bands played, Big D and the Kid's Table, Righteous Jams and Far from Finished. The most impressive feat shown in Big D and the Kid's Table was watching the lead singer hold a microphone with his handless arm. Far from Finished made a perfect lead into the acclaimed Dropkick Murphys with their unique style and their excessive energy shown during their performance.

After Far from Finished left for the evening and before Dropkick Murphys took the stage, the impatient crowd chanted rhythmically, "Let's go, Murphys!" imitating the beginning of "For Boston" from the Dropkick Murphy's album "Sing Loud, Sing Proud." This simple chant echoes the audience's feelings of anticipation and admiration for the band. Finally, the lights dimmed once more and the show began.

A stranger to Dropkick Murphys may not instantly recognize the band as rock, with the show opening with a traditional rendition of "Brave Scotland" on bagpipes. As quickly as the musicians arrived, they disappeared offstage and then exploded back with a spectacular mix of pandemonium, rock and adrenaline.

Featuring many songs from their new album "The Warrior's Code," Dropkick Murphys easily moved the audience into a frenzy of devoted followers. As the band continued with their music, the dedicated crowd chanted along to the words of every song.

The blend of traditional Irish songs, punk-rock songs and humorous ballads made the concert a wonderful way to spend an evening. Playing new songs, such as "Captain Kelly's Kitchen," as well as older ones, such as "Spicy McHaggis," which tells of an Irish gentlemen's courting and eventual marriage, the mixture of old and new songs created a combination better than Tom and Jerry.

Perhaps the best song performed was "Last Letter Home" from "The Warrior's Code," which included excerpts from a letter written by a soldier serving in Iraq. In one of his letters to his mother, the solider mentioned that he wanted the Dropkick Murphys song "The Fields of Athenry" to be played at his funeral. Unfortunately, he died while fighting in Iraq and Dropkick Murphys personally played "The Fields of Athenry" at his funeral and then incorporated excerpts from his letters in the fantastic song.

As the concert dwindled down, a crowd of fans surged onto the stage, line dancing and shouting the lyrics of the songs. Standing out on stage was an enthusiastic young boy on his father's shoulders cheering as loud as any other fan. When the last song ended, the boy trusted his hands into the air and cheered, summing up the crowd's opinion.