Dropkick Murphys released the single and video for “Two 6's Upside Down” last Wednesday, the 6th, from their upcoming album This Machine Still Kills Fascists . The album will be released digitally and on CD on September 30th via Dummy Luck Music / [PIAS ], with a special vinyl edition in November.
This Machine Still Kills Fascists is unlike anything the band has done before – they promise a full album of songs that bring to life the words of Woody Guthrie , a 1930s musician known for his commitment to the lower classes, who had those same words [“This machine still kills fascists”] taped to his guitar.
“Two 6’s Upside Down” is the lament of a helpless player, overwhelmed by love and loss, murder and punishment. Dropkick Murphys founder Ken Casey explains: “'Two 6’s Upside Down' is acoustic, but it’s still tough. It’s bold and those lyrics are menacing. We just wanted to show right off the bat that, although this album is acoustic, it’s still going to have a bit of fire.”
The video for “Two 6’s Upside Down” shows Dropkick Murphys performing the song while gathering around the statue of Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Woody’s hometown, interspersed with footage of the band debuting the song before enthusiastic crowds at European festivals this summer. The clip was directed by Dave Stauble .
The Dropkick Murphys and their longtime producer, Ted Hutt, recorded This Machine Still Kills Fascists at The Church Studio in Tulsa (just minutes from Woody Guthrie's birthplace and the modern Woody Guthrie Center). The historic studio was founded by Leon Russell and was the original location of the legendary Shelter Records .
During the album sessions, the band made a point of visiting Woody's hometown of Okemah and walking the same streets Woody walked. Going to Woody's home state of Oklahoma to record the album had a powerful effect on the band and the creative process behind these songs. Ultimately, Dropkick Murphys had so much material based on Woody's poignant lyrics that they recorded two albums, with Vol. 2 scheduled for release in 2023.
Check out “Two 6's Upside Down” now, and also check out the trailer for Dropkick Murphys' new album:
