Street Dogs, and The Tossers

This bill features a pair of bands noteworthy for their rousing style and lively stage presence. Hailing from Chicago’s Irish South Side, The Tossers began in ’93, before Celtic-punk peers Flogging Molly and Dropkick Murphys. Though long overshadowed by the aforementioned acts, it wasn’t for lack of talent. While more traditional in sound, they rock just as hard. Albums such as the fine Long Dim Road and Purgatory on Chicago’s Thick Records simply lacked push. Since joining Victory Records for 2005’s The Valley of Shadow and Death and this year’s moody Agony, their profile’s increased considerably.

Headliners Street Dogs formed five years ago behind ex-Dropkick Murphys frontman Mike McColgan. Their fierce punk roar mixes roots punk, oi!-style anthems, and racing, Johnny Thunders-style punk leads. They tightened their chops opening for Bouncing Souls, an act possessed of a similar upbeat, arms-in-the-air attitude. Last Fall’s Fading American Dream demonstrated their gelling power, from the album’s opening rant, “Common People,” with its cry, “I’m tired of American socialite culture,” to the Billy Bragg cover “Power of the Union,” through the sing-along rave-up, “Rights to Your Soul.” These are the kind of fist-pumping songs of solidarity punk was founded on.