This review covers Flogging Molly: Whiskey on a Sunday, which is a combination CD and DVD set. The CD features ten tracks with live and acoustic recordings. It is more or less a bonus item to the main feature found on the DVD. The main feature is a documentary directed by Jim Dziura (a guy you probably have never heard of, I sure haven't) and it is about the musical group Flogging Molly. The documentary details a two year period about the band and follows them as they go on tour, work in the studio, and their personal lives and histories.

For those who are not familiar with Flogging Molly, they are a musical group based out of Los Angeles, CA with Irish roots and their music is a unique combination of energetic punk rock and Irish folk. Part of what makes the band sound so unique is the incorporation of Irish folk and the use of an accordion, mandolin, and fiddle in their music. The band formed in 1997 and consists of Dennis Casey, Bridget Regan, Matt Hensley, Nathen Maxwell, Bob Schmidt, George Schwindt, and Dave King. To date, their discography includes Alive Behind the Green Door, Swagger, Drunken Lullabies (my favorite of their albums), Within a Mile of Home, and Whiskey on a Sunday.

The Documentary

Shot over a two year period in seven different countries, this documentary presents an up close and personal look at the band Flogging Molly. The documentary is a montage of various key events, interviews with the band members and fans, and footage from live shows.

Some of the most interesting aspects of the documentary deal with the lead singer and guitarist Dave King. King had a rather depressing past growing up in the midst of a war in Ireland, and it is a topic he addresses on several occasions. He relates his troubled childhood, the untimely death of his father, and others as motivations for the band's music. It is sad, and also what makes him an intriguing person. The other band members George, Nathen, Matt, Bob, Bridget, and Dennis are given some time in front of the camera to talk about themselves. But as a whole, most of the attention throughout the feature deals with Dave, which is not a bad thing as his past is an interesting tale to hear.

The various key events in Flogging Molly's lifespan deals with the band forming, getting serious with their music, getting involved with the record label Side One Dummy, their first Side One Dummy release Swagger, selling 50,000 records, and others. The live events span a variety of performances which include candid interviews and live footage of songs like "If I Ever Leave This World Alive", "What's Left of the Flag", "Life in a Tenement Square", and "The Son Never Shines (On Closed Doors)", as well as their homecoming show at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles.

Overall, the documentary makes for an entertaining watch. It was put together very well and covers some intriguing aspects of the band and its members, specifically Dave King. In addition to the band, the other elements dealing with the band's rise to success from playing in L.A. bars to sold out shows in huge amphitheaters also makes for an interesting story. In the end, Whiskey on a Sunday is an admirable production about a fantastic band whose music is passionate and something you will not want to miss out on.

Here is the track list for the audio CD included with the documentary.

Track List for the Audio CD
1. Laura
2. Drunken Lullabies (acoustic)
3. The Wanderlust (acoustic)
4. Another Bag of Bricks (acoustic)
5. Tomorrow Comes a Day Too Soon (acoustic)
6. The Likes of You Again (live)
7. Swagger (live)
8. Black Friday Rule (live)
9. Within a Mile of Home (live)
10. What's Left of the Flag (live)

The DVD

Video:
The video on the DVD is given in letterbox widescreen color. The picture quality is fairly good. For the most, part the picture looks sharp with a few minor visual defects. Also during the live footage and scenes filmed with lowlight tend to look rougher.

Audio:
The documentary comes with audio options in 5.1 surround and 2.0 stereo. The audio sounds good with a few minor distortions during interviews. There is also support for English subtitles.

Extras:
For special features, this CD+DVD combo comes with a few items to keep you entertained after watching the main feature. First there are six additional segments of extended interviews and outtakes that account for twenty-four minutes of footage. They are entitled "Badger", "Dave in the Studio", "Gary", "Joe and Matt", "Outtakes", and "Return to Molly Malone's". Lastly there are two videos of live performances with the band singing "Rebels of the Scared Heart" and "Selfish Man".

Final Thoughts:
Flogging Molly: Whiskey on a Sunday is a CD+DVD set that contains an audio CD with ten live and acoustic recordings and a DVD with a full length documentary detailing the band on a personal level and their journey to success. The documentary proves to be intriguing by spending a fair amount of time on lead singer and guitarist Dave King, who has an interesting, yet sad past. In the end, this CD+DVD set makes for a good purchase. Fans of the band should look into this release immediately, as well as newcomers who enjoy catchy, energetic punk/folk music should do the same.