For the eighth year in a row, the Fenians have embarked on a St. Patrick's Day Tour that involves a slew of dates in the weeks leading up to the night when green tongues are not “diseased,” but rather “sexxxay.” On this Green Friday, the band will play twice—an early show in San Diego and a late one at the House of Blues in Anaheim. When you're “Southern California's premier Irish band” (the band is actually from Orange County, and their website already points out the irony inherent in that, so I totally don't have to), performing twice on St. Patrick's Day is surely de rigueur.
Curiously, the Fenians have named themselves after Irish Nationalists known for violent resistance to British rule, which is more than likely a meaningless factoid at this point since the British/Irish relationship is so peachy now. At any rate, because their songs are eager and funny, I'm going to bet they're just Emerald Islephiles. I'm also betting they're not political rebels because these guys look a little bit like a Jimmy Buffett cover band from a crumbling resort town that gets paid in hot-tub access and drinks, rather than a proper (and by this I mean old, haggard, wool-sweatered) Irish band, but that's probably just me being racist against Floridians and/or the Irish. Their songs are perfect accompaniment to the day when everybody's Irish, so bring someone you are comfortable hugging for many hours and sing sweetly to them when you know the words.
Just remember: drink a glass of water between beers, and yes, Guinness does have the fewest calories. Slainte!
The Fenians with Graceland Mafia and Jack's Bad Monkey at the House of Blues, 1530 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, (714) 778-2583; www.hob.com. Fri., 8 p.m. $20-$22.50. All ages.
