For longtime Chicago Celtic-rock band The Tossers, playing a St. Patrick’s Day show is just a little more special, even after all these years.
Formed in 1993 by Anthony “T.” Duggins, the group’s lead singer and mandolin player, The Tossers are predecessors of groups like the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly, playing original Irish folk-meets-punk rock.
The Tossers perform at 9 p.m. March 18 CST at the Hard Rock Café stage at the Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary.
Guitarist Mike Pawula has been with the band since 1999. The group has eight albums out. Making records has been a highlight of the group’s 30-year career.
“I think all of just being fans of music, when we started making records it was a huge achievement,” he said. “And then making our way through the scene in Chicago and getting to play venues that are historic like The Metro and The Vic Theatre and the Riviera. Aside from that, the touring we did — I don’t know how many times we’ve been around the country. We’ve toured Europe. One of the cooler things was in 2015, we played the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., as part of their celebration of 100 years of Irish immigration to the United States. We’ve gotten to do some pretty great things.”
His mother is 100% Irish so he grew up with Irish music in the house, he said, helping him to fit in with the bad.
In addition to cranking out tight music, The Tossers are always willing to interact with fans and try to bring high energy to their shows, he said.
“It’s a fun show. I think we’re all pretty good musicians — we should be, by this time,” he said. “Everyone’s been playing pretty much since we were teenagers.”
This is the busy time of year for The Tossers, but they love it, he said.
“We know we’re going to have a good show around St. Patrick’s Day,” he said. “We understand everyone is there to see the show and be a part of the holiday. We really love the holiday; we love playing. We’re an energetic, fun, headfast, folk-rock band that can also play fantastically slow ballads. That kind of spectrum, that kind of range, is what I think we bring to our shows. (Expect) great Irish tunes.”
Audiences will hear songs like “Smash the Windows” from their most recent record; as well as “Emerald City,” “Buckets of Beer” and “Tell Me Ma.”
“We try to hit every era so that any fan of the band, past or present, can get a taste of everything,” he said.
This will be the band’s first time at the Hard Rock and he’s thrilled they’re coming on a Friday night.
“Indiana’s always been great to us and we’re really looking forward to playing there,” he said. “We’ve always had great shows there.”
Here are five St. Patrick’s Day events in northwest Indiana to get you in the mood for a shamrockin’ good time:
1. Kid’s St. Patrick’s Day events in Schererville.
Kid’s Night Out St. Patrick’s Day Style: 5:30 p.m. March 11 at the Schererville Community Center, 1522 Scherwood Greens Drive. Tickets, $19-$22.80. 219-322-2211.
Parents can enjoy a night out while kids ages 4-10 years old enjoy crafts, dinner and activities. Kids should bring a pillow and blanket.
Lucky Leprechaun Glow Hunt for kids ages 4-12 is at 7 p.m. March 18 Schererville Community Center, 1522 Scherwood Greens Drive. $13-$20. 219-322-2211.
Kids will search the Schererville Community Center lawn under the moonlight with their flashlights to find special four-leaf clovers and other prizes. Before the shamrock hunt, kids will be treated to pizza, drinks, dessert and a St. Patrick’s Day-themed craft. Each participant will also receive their own glow gear and participation prize. Registration deadline is March 14.
2. Valpo LepreCON: 2-5 p.m. March 13 at Lincoln Flats, Stacks Bar and Grill and Aftermath Wine and Cidery in downtown Valparaiso. Tickets, $30. Registration begins at 1 p.m. valparaisoevents.com.
Join this pub crawl and spread some Irish cheer. Ticket sales and prize entry revenue will be donated directly to Valparaiso Events and the S.E.L.F (Special Education Learning Community) School PTO of Valparaiso. There will be a 50/50 raffle and grand prize drawings for St. Paddy’s swag and gift certificates from sponsoring local retailers and more. Dress to impress in your best St. Patrick’s Day attire.
3. Crown Point St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Dusk March 17 at Crown Point on the Square, Joliet and Main streets. 219-662-3250; facebook.com/CityofCrownPointIN.
The parade is the only lighted, nighttime parade in northwest Indiana and includes Irish festivities and pipes and drums bagpipe players leading the parade. Food vendors will be on the Square from 3 to 9 p.m.
In addition to the parade, the City of Crown Point also hosts a drive-through corned beef and cabbage dinner from 2-4 p.m. at the Crown Point Fire Department, 126 N. East St. The to-go meals include corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, bread, a dessert and a beverage. Day-of purchase only. Cash and credit cards are accepted.
4. The Tossers: 9 p.m. CST March 18 on the Hard Rock Café Stage at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, 5400 W. 29th Ave., Gary. Tickets, free. 219-228-2383; hardrockcasinonorthernindiana.com.
Chicago’s The Tossers mix the attitude and swagger of punk rock with traditional Irish folk music.
5. Dick Diamond and the Dusters St. Patrick’s Party: 7 p.m. March 19 at Avenue 912, 202 W. Ridge Road, Griffith. Tickets, $10. 219-306-6790; avenue912events.com.
Doors open at 6 p.m. Dick Diamond and the Dusters is a seven-member, retro-inspired cover band with selections range from the 1960s to the present, with an emphasis on popular, high energy dance selections.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.