The Tossers celebrate roots, resilience on latest CD
Depending on whom you ask, the definition of the slang term "tosser" varies. It might be what the Irish called an English coin after winning independence from Great Britain. It may be the colorful U.K. equivalent of calling someone a jerk. Either way, a tosser is something to be disregarded or discarded.
By aligning themselves with the dregs, The Tossers make no distinction between lowlifes and underdogs, as befits a working-class band fueled by traditional Irish folk music and punk rock energy. Since forming in the heart of Chicago's South Side Irish community roughly 15 years ago, they have remained true to their roots and ideals with a reliability treasured by their steadfast local fans.
"We're an Irish-based folk band that plays everything fast and loud enough that the kids seem to like it," offers guitarist Mike Pawula when asked to describe what The Tossers do. Within the folk-punk genre's confines, Pawula observes that "we stay a little truer to traditional folk styles." The sextet's instruments include violin, mandolin and tin whistle, but not electric guitar.
"On a Fine Spring Evening," The Tossers' sixth full-length studio album, recently hit stores on the heels of last year's "Agony" and "Gloatin' and Showboatin': Live on St. Patrick's Day," a CD/DVD released in early 2008. As reflected in the title, "Spring" is less brooding than "Agony" and their previous album for Chicago's Victory Records, "The Valley of the Shadow of Death."
"The tone of the songs is more celebratory," says Pawula. "The idea we had was to get back to some of the old themes we'd done earlier in our career, where it's a little more rollicking, more of a good time, not so necessarily introspective. Although lyrically there is some pretty heavy content here and there, overall it's an upbeat, happier-sounding record.
"I think a lot of that had to do with where we were all at. We wanted to make that change, so we worked at it. I know lyrically, (singer/mandolinist) Tony (Duggins) really thought about it."
Along with hearty drinking songs (pub tribute "Teehans," the frantic "Whiskey Makes Me Crazy") and a pair of spry instrumentals, the album often focuses on down-but-not-out characters. "Terry Obradaigh" is the tale of a boxer fighting his way out of poverty. "Breandan O Beachain" imparts wisdom from the viewpoint of revered Irish writer and tragic alcoholic Brendan Behan. On "The Unfamous Paula Spencer," inspired by novelist Roddy Doyle, Duggins adopts the perspective of a feisty middle-aged widow who's put her days of spousal abuse and heavy drinking behind her.
Pawula notes that "Spencer" isn't the first time the singer has written from a female point of view, and admires his bandmate's bravery: "There are times I'm sure he hits the nail right on the head, but it's probably difficult to write from a woman's perspective as a man."
Considering that all Tossers hail from the South Side except Milwaukee-bred violinist Rebecca Brooke (who is also the only member without any Irish heritage), "Spring" contains its share of regional signifiers. In the typically emotional love song "A Fine Lass You Are," Duggins offers among his declarations of fidelity: "From Bridgeport to Beverly all of the time/Chicago is yours now because it is mine." Elsewhere, the gleeful gait of opener "Katie at the Races" mirrors Duggins' lyrics depicting an exhilarated pair of lovers enjoying Arlington Park.
Pawula describes The Tossers' Chicago identity as "a huge part of who we are," saying "it's like an extra member of the band. As far as our career has gone, we've done I'd say 50 percent of our career here, doing shows in and around Chicago and using it as our home base. When we go off on tour and come back, it always seems to embrace us. We always think about Chicago. In fact, 'Chicago' was on the shortlist of names for the record that didn't make it."
As for how a raucous folk band became a staple of Chicago's punk rock scene, it's partly due to having grown their audience via the city's all-ages venues, which have historically catered to punk crowds. Their intense playing is part of it, too.
"I'm more of a punk rock kind of guy," admits Pawula. "I love the way Johnny Ramone played guitar. We're all fans of music, when it comes down to it, and when I think about punk rock, I think it can be pulled into an Irish setting without even thinking about it. It's all about attitude, attack and emotion, how you translate that all into the way you play your instrument."
Hence their new take on traditional slip jig "The Rocky Road to Dublin." The song was recorded seven years ago by Boston's Celtic punks Dropkick Murphys, who, like Los Angeles' Flogging Molly, enjoy a higher national profile than The Tossers, although the Chicago band has been around longer. Pawula says that although the groups are friends, his band didn't worry about their "Road" causing incorrect association with the decidedly more bruising Bostonians.
"They're kind of the polar opposite of this whole genre," Pawula says. "Especially the version we did: stripped down, no drums, more traditional. It's the only Tossers song ever recorded with all of us sitting around in a circle with a few microphones on. And on the last Dropkick record, they did a song based on 'Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye,' which we recorded years ago. There's enough room for everybody to do what they want."
This weekend, The Tossers do exactly that. Pawula says that along with a number of rare songs, Friday's CD release show at Chicago's Double Door will contain "On a Fine Spring Evening" in its entirety. If all goes well, they might repeat it the following night at South Barrington's Penny Road Pub.
Next shows
• With: The Siderunners, Kevin Flynn and the Avondale Ramblers
9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at Double Door, 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, (773) 489-3160 or doubledoor.com
Tickets: $13, $15 day of show
• With: The Insecurities, Disonic
9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Penny Road Pub, 28W705 Penny Road, South Barrington, (847) 428-0562 or pennyroadpub.com
Tickets: $10