Buzzbox

Although perhaps best known for its strident political messages and confrontational attitude, Black 47 isn't the type of insufferable dead-serious band that you can't invite to a party. Its most passionate free-the-Irish messages appear on an album with the goofy title Green Suede Shoes, and tracks such as "I Got Laid on James Joyce's Grave" provide comic relief on its occasionally stern Trouble in the Land. Black 47 combines the passionate power of protest anthems with the upbeat horn blasts and wailing vocals of a tight soul revue, urging listeners to party for their right to fight and inspiring fans to alternately raise their pints and their fists. While it has toured extensively, the group proudly clings to its New York pub roots, maintaining a residency Saturday nights at Connolly's after a longtime stay at Paddy Reilly's, the bar in which founding members Larry Kirwan and Chris Byrne first met. With all that rabble-rousing on its resume, Black 47 should have no trouble getting Irish eyes to smile on Sunday when it headlines the closing night of the third annual Brookside Irish Fest. Saturday evening's main attraction, The McCabes, another raucous Big Apple-based Celtic rock band, adds more East Coast flavor to a lineup packed with local favorites such as Eddie Delahunt and The Elders.