If you listen to bands like The Pogues, Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, or The Real McKenzies, then I’m guessing you already know who The Rumjacks are. If not, that needs to change immediately! Formed in Syndney Australia in 2008, The Rumjacks have been dishing out their unique take on Celtic punk ever since. With hundreds of thousands of fans around the world, The Rumjacks truly are one of the essential bands in the Celtic punk genre today.
Much like their fans being global, so is the band. With members from Europe, Australia, and the United States, The Rumjacks music is a diverse blend of each member’s experiences and musical tastes. Celtic folk punk is the hero, but you’ll hear hard rock, straight forward punk, ska, rockabilly, and even gypsy punk seep into their songs. To put it bluntly, The Rumjacks are required listening for fans of any of those genres.
Earlier this year, the band put out their fifth full-length studio album, Hestia. Clocking in at just under an hour, The Rumjacks offer up 14 of some of the most melodic, sing-a-long worthy Celtic punk of the year. What makes their album even more special is the addition of lead singer Mike Rivkees to the band. This Boston native helps bring about a re-energized sound for the band. It’s safe to say that the band has leveled up significantly with Hestia.
Bass player Johnny McKelvey spent some time answering some questions about the album and a variety of other topics. Below, read what McKelvey had to say! Then, go listen to Hestia. It’s that good!
Admittedly, when I think of Celtic punk rock, one of the last places I think about is Australia. Is this an unfair assumption? How big is Celtic music over there?
Yeah we get that a bit. Australia has a huge Irish/Scottish/British immigrant population and so the music was also brought over with it. Australia has its own folk sound in a way, but very much influenced by folk and Celtic music from abroad. So yeah, it is quite big In Australia, surprisingly.
You’re a very multicultural band at heart. How do your various backgrounds help the songwriting process?
Myself and Adam’s parents are Irish and Mike is from Boston, also with Irish family, so Celtic and folk music was always around us growing up. I guess that was the start of being exposed to this music and why we still all loved it when we “grew up.” In regards to our music and the songwriting, I guess that shows more in what we each individually started to play when we were learning our instruments, etc.
When I listen to your music, I hear more than just the traditional Celtic punk sound. At times, I hear some ska upstrokes. I hear some gypsy punk. I hear some folk. What is in the musical DNA of The Rumjacks?
Good question! See, all of us came from different styles of music that we all played in before The Rumjacks became what it was. I was playing double bass in a rockabilly band when the band started and Adam had played for years around Western Sydney in hardcore bands like Strength Within and ska bands like Little More Than You. Mike grew up in the New England hardcore and ska scene also, and has played in loads of ska punk bands before starting his other band Mickey Rickshaw, THEN joining us, so quite a lot going on there. We are all big fans of ska, reggae, 2-Tone, so it was kind of natural that it snuck in there from the very beginning.
The new album Hestia hit over the Spring. Have you been happy with how it’s been received so far?
Extremely happy! Everyone has been super awesome about it and full of compliments. We knew it would be a big task to prove to people we were stronger than ever and really proud of this new album, and I think we nailed it. The reaction has been huge and super positive, which has just made us even more keen to get back and record more again.
Hestia is Mike’s official debut as lead singer. How has his addition changed the dynamic for the band?
The most dramatic thing I would say would just be the joy we once again have for doing what we love. Music became the focus again and the positivity amongst us all is the best it has ever been. Mike is an incredible musician and also a really lovely guy too, so it was like adding your best mate to the band and loving every second since.
What’s the significance of naming the album after a Greek Goddess?
Well, the actual song “Hestia” came before we decided to name the album that also. Was a strong song with some strong imagery, which we wanted the listener to perceive it in its own way and take out of that what they want. Hestia being the goddess of home and hearth seemed like another strong way to represent the album.
If you were to pick one song on the album that encompasses everything that it means to be The Rumjacks, which song do you choose and why?
I would have to say “Rhythm of Her Name.” It’s my personal favorite off the album and think it’s a good representation of a really good, simple, catchy, sing-a-long, powerful and emotional song. I think it is also a good song to show Mike’s songwriting, and the progression of The Rumjacks.
A lot of casual music fans know you for the “Irish Pub Song.” Do people realize it’s a song criticizing the commercialization of the Irish culture, or do they just see it as a song to listen to every March while they drink green beer?
Well, going off most of the comments we get from that song, I would say the latter. I think the joke goes over most people’s heads and is slightly ironic considering what the song is about. But we don’t mind, as long as people enjoy it and get out of it what they want, then so be it.
For folks who have only heard “An Irish Pub Song,” what should they listen to next from your catalog?
All of Hestia!
It feels like Australia has done one of the better jobs with pandemic response. Are things back to normal for you? We’re missing live shows something fierce over here. Are you back at it over there?
I am a little out of touch as all the band live in different countries around Europe and America these days, but you are right, Australia seemed to be somewhat less effected than a lot of other countries around the world. I am so happy to see mates posting that their bands are playing again around Australia or heading to shows. A small start but it does give hope that the rest of the world will the following as soon as possible.
Since I’m the ska fan on the site, and you’ve got some ska influences, I have to ask who some of your favorite ska bands are…so, who are your favorite ska bands?
Oh loads! I like to listen to artists such as John Holt, Roy Ellis, Phyllis Dillon, Jimmy Cliff. Probably more reggae, but you get the vibe. The Specials also rule! Mike is a huge BossTones fan, and I don’t think a single tour hasn’t had Sublime being played in the van on a daily basis.
As we near the halfway point of the year, what are you most looking forward to in the back half of the year?
Shows. Please for the love of God let there be shows!
Any cool new Australian bands the rest of the world need to know about?
Check out Medusa’s Wake!
Any last words, shout outs, or plugs?
Massive thanks to everyone for digging Hestia. Can’t wait to get back out and play for you all. Thanks for sticking by us these last 12 months. Let’s get a nice cold beer together at a venue when all this mess is over.
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