The Langer's Ball
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The Langer's Ball

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2007 | INDIE

Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States | INDIE
Established on Jan, 2007
Band Rock Celtic

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"The Langer’s Ball – The Devil Or The Barrel review"

If there’s one thing that The Langer’s Ball do amazingly well then it’s creating superb, folk punk songs with a traditional Irish style. In a similar style to the Dropkick Murphys or Flogging Molly (although not as aggressive at times), the punk rock Pogues’ new album The Devil Or The Barrel is an album full of perfectly crafted Irish-tinged punk songs. And you can bet your arse that there’s some songs about whiskey on there too.
In a matter of seconds, The Langer’s Ball get things off to a flying start with the fantastic Whiskey Chaser – their obvious intention to get people up and dancing or singing along will clearly work instantly with songs like this. It might be cliché for a band like this to sing about whiskey (Jamesons, presumably) but it works so well that it doesn’t even matter. Throw your stereotypes out the window, grab a bottle of whiskey and put your best dancing shoes on because The Langer’s Ball are in town and there’s no excuse for sitting down.
Their job is already done on the first song in, but I Know My Love continues with a traditional celtic sound to it – it’s far from being as punk as the previous song but when The Langer’s Ball are making music this good it doesn’t matter what genre of music they’re playing. According to Rye Whiskey, if they don’t get their whiskey than The Langer’s Ball [TLB] will die – so if that’s the case, someone should order a round of Jameson on the rocks stat. Proving that soppy ballads aren’t the way forward, The Devil Or The Barrel is one hell of an album to listen to – it’s catchy, it’s upbeat but best of all there’s not one single bad track on the entire record.
The Little Vagabond is like Johnny Cash being reincarted as an Irish man, sitting in a local pub drinking a pint of Guinness while Kick Around has more of a Frank Turner feel about it. One More is an absolute belter of a song which leads in to the phenomenally catchy Johnny, You’re a Rovin’ Blade. Showing no signs of stopping or slowing down, The Langer’s Ball close with the fantastic Wild Rover Polka (which contains a fucking amazing Mandolin solo) and end things on the highest of high notes. The Devil Or The Barrel proves that The Langer’s Ball aren’t going anywhere, oh no. You’ll always be able to find The Langer’s Ball in their usual spot – swigging Jameson’s and writing some of the best celtic punk you may ever listen to. - Support YR Scene


"Favorite Finds From Folk Alliance 2013: The Americans by Stephen D. Winnick"

I've often thought that Pogues-style Irish folk-punk is as good a candidate to be called "steampunk music" as any, and St. Paul, Minnesota band The Langer's Ball shows why: they've got Victorian songs (real and pastiche); accordion, banjo, and whistles, which come straight from the 1880s; and a contemporary rhythm section. (Oh, and goggles on their hats.) On The Devil or the Barrel, they power through thirteen mostly upbeat Irish and Irish-style songs with skill and panache. Their songwriting isn't quite Shane McGowan or Phil Chevron, but it's an enjoyable venture into that vein. Their take on traditional songs and tunes, such as "Johnny Jump Up," "All For Me Grog," and "The Real Old Mountain Dew" will leave you elated, but thirsty for a pint; as you might gather, their songs celebrate drinking, love, drinking, drinking, breaking up, and drinking...with the occasional nod to emigration. If you liked the Pogues in their 80s heyday, you'll like the Langers too. - Huffington Post


"#2 Album of 2012 - Review of "The Devil or the Barrel""

Devil or the Barrel showcases The Langers Ball mark (iii). Originally a two person due of Michael and Hannah the MN based Langers Ball released two fine Celtic-rock albums SHIPS ARE SAILING and AND AS I ROVED OUT then expanded to a full band for the live DRUNK, SICK, TIRED. The Langers then reverted back to mark (i) briefly before expanding back to a full 5 piece and picking some very fine musicians in the process including Mr. Drew Miller of BOLIED IN LEAD fame (and the Omnium record label that release the two Shite’n'Onions comps). The sound is certainly beefed up on THE DEVIL OR THE BARREL yet stays true to the original sound of the duo – high energy Celtic folk rock meets Americana – though if they consume the whiskey like the way the sing about it I fear the next Kickstarter project these guys run will be to pay for five liver transplants.





Favorite tracks:

Whiskey Chaser (’bout whiskey)
Rye Whiskey (also ’bout whiskey)
Mackey’s Daughter (about drinking whiskey for the confidence)
One More (wonder what that is about)
Wild Rover Polka – you know the song but this takes the classic Irish-American tune and drive it straight through a German-America beer hall. - Shite 'n' Onions


Discography

"7 Year Itch", EP 2014 Download Only

"The Devil or the Barrel", 2012 New Folk Records

"Live: Drunk, Sick, Tired", 2011 Independent release

"Ships Are Sailing", 2009 Independent release

"As I Roved Out", 2008, Independent release

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Bio

Good. Irish. Music.

The Langers Ball has been performing since 2007, with their first album release in 2008, they were hailed as "...A Band To Watch" by PaddyRock.com. And watch people did! Called The Punk Rock Pogues, their music has been described as Straight ahead, no-frills Irish ballads with just a hint of razor blades, safety pins and American rock 'n' roll". Their latest album The Devil or the Barrel earned them a top spot on virtually every Irish music writer, podcaster & bloggers best of 2012 list. As a reviewer in London says about TLB Showing no signs of stopping or slowing downput your best dancing shoes on because The Langers Ball are in town and theres no excuse for sitting down. (TLB) are swigging Jamesons and writing some of the best Celtic punk you may ever listen to.

Last year TLB headlined Celtic Festivals in Iowa, South Dakota and Connecticut as well as performing at several others as support for their headliners.  In the past 3 years, The Langer's Ball has played the following Festivals:
  Irish Fair of MN, Saint Paul, MN
  Oshkosh Irish Fest, Oshkosh, WI
  Irishfest LaCrosse, LaCrosse, WI
  Iowa Irish Fest, Waterloo, IA (7 years running at that festival)
  Lawler Irish Fest, Lawler, IA
  Pipes in the Valley, Hartford CT
  Missoula Irish Fest, Missoula, MT
  Weston Irish Fest, Weston, MO
  Kansas City Highland Games, Kansas City, MO
  Shamrockfest, Kansas City, MO
  NE South Dakota Celtic Faire, Sioux Falls, SD
  and lots and lots of clubs and pubs!


Band Members