Irish-American punk band Street Dogs will be one of the gazillion bands at today’s Warped Tour at the Verizon. They are in the same raucous camp as Flogging Molly, The Adolescents and Anti-Flag, with whom they have toured.

Street Dogs front man and creator Mike McColgan is the original lead singer of The Dropkick Murphys. After helping establish the Murphys, McColgan pursued his dream of becoming a Boston firefighter.

After achieving that goal and working as a firefighter for a time, McColgan again felt the pull of music and formed the Dogs in 2002.
The Street Dogs fourth album, “State of Grace,” will be released a week from today.

I caught up with McColgan as the band rehearsed in California.

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RC: Will you be playing any new songs this tour?

MM: Yes, we’ll be playing a couple songs from “State of Grace” in our Warped set. We’re working with a new drummer, Paul Rucker. Our old drummer (Joe Sirois) went back to his earlier band, the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Paul has been above and beyond exceptional, so it’s worked out. We’re psyched that Joe is back with the Bosstones.

RC: Have you been to Ireland?

MM: We went in 2004 to Dublin while we were on tour with Flogging Molly. It was stunning and amazing. It was more together and modernized than I thought it would be. We played two shows, so I didn’t have much of a chance sample the local flavors.

RC: What’s the rock scene like in Boston, are there many Irish bands in particular?

MM: I wouldn’t categorize it as having an Irish rock scene, just a punk rock scene. Some bands have Celtic vibe like the Dropkick Murphys. The Middle East club has always been the epicenter. The Avalon is being renovated for bigger shows. Prior to its demise, The Rat was also popular.

RC: How long have you been in the music biz?

MM: Since 1995, singing and writing with the Murphys. I still have great relationships with those guys.

RC: Do you usually play on St. Patrick’s Day?

MM: We’re usually on tour with Flogging Molly. We’ve done the Shamrock Fest in D.C. Green beer is usually involved from dusk till dawn.

RC: How did you like being firefighter?

MM: I’ve done music full time since 2004, but it was a rewarding, amazing time and great experience.

RC: You speak out against the Iraq War having served in the military during the first Gulf War, correct?

MM: Yes. We have a B-side on our vinyl edition of State of Grace called “Hope.” It’s a hope for new progressive leadership and hope for a new day. Most American people of sound and reasonable minds believe change is desperately warranted at this point.