Thurs, June 3, Young Dubliners

While it would be easy to dismiss Ireland’s Young Dubliners as just the latest incarnation of the Pogues or Flogging Molly, such comparisons only tell part of the story. Fronted by Dublin native Keith Roberts, the quintet certainly rocks the same kind of mosh-pit-friendly punk numbers; but the band’s music, imbued with a richly textured arsenal of sounds is also decidedly modern. The Young Dubliners’ latest album, Saints and Sinners, twists the notion of traditional Celtic rock, dressing it up with radio-friendly pop melodies and the sort of emo-esque, tortured lyrics that drive the young girls mad. 2708 J Street, www.myspace.com/youngdubliners.