Loud, proud, a little older

They’ve performed in places all over the world, bringing their loud, Irish punk rock sound to huge crowds of loyal fans and new listeners.

They play a famous annual St. Patrick’s Day gig in Boston, had one of their songs on the soundtrack of the film “The Departed” and performed in Fenway Park prior to Game 7 in the 2007 American League Championship Series.

They are the Dropkick Murphys, who will be headlining Sunday at the Orange County Fair. But a decade ago, they were merely three kids with a love of music and some free time.

The band formed in 1995 in Quincy, Mass., playing in the basement of a friend’s barbershop for fun. Vocalist Mike McColgan, guitarist Rick Barton and bassist Ken Casey experimented with punk, rock, Irish folk and hardcore to create a unique combination that was quickly embraced by listeners.

Over the years, the band has undergone several transformations. Old members left, new members joined, and some played different instruments to maintain the sound that defines the Dropkick Murphys.

Now, in 2008, the group is a septet still pumping out music with Al Barr on vocals; Tim Brennan playing the accordion, banjo, bouzouki, tin whistle and acoustic guitar; Ken Casey on vocals and bass guitar; Matt Kelly on drums; James Lynch on guitar; Jeff DaRosa playing guitar, accordion and piano; and Scruffy Wallace on the bagpipes.

The Dropkick Murphys will perform old favorites and many of the songs off their newest release, “The Meanest of Times,” Sunday at the Pacific Amphitheatre.

“Personally, I think ‘The Meanest of Times’ is the best record we’ve ever done,” Wallace said. “It’s obviously a more mature record. We collectively sat down and wrote it from start to finish.”

“The Meanest of Times,” released in September 2007, is the band’s sixth album and debuted under the group’s own newly established record label, Born & Bred Records.

“We were nervous,” Wallace said of the shift to the new record label. “It’s been really well received, though, and the fans are so supportive, so it’s been a pretty easy and smooth transition.”

The themes of family, childhood, growing up and untimely death resonate in the 15-track album, which pays tribute to friends and kin.

“We didn’t set it up as a themed record, but it became that,” Wallace said. “When you get older, you start thinking more about certain things. You start thinking about family. You remember the loved ones in your life and the people you’ve lost. So it makes sense that we write about these things.”

Wallace enjoys expressing these meaningful concepts to fans while on stage in a kilt or some sort of bizarre ensemble.

While they know how to put on a wild show, the Dropkick Murphys have always promoted self-improvement.

“It’s about reflecting on who you’ve been,” Wallace said. “We have all done things to hurt people, and it’s good to check yourself and find how you can be a better person. There are so many aspects of improvement. Whether it’s your health, habits or a relationship, you should take a look at yourself. I mean, when you get to the gates of heaven, are you going to be let in or will you be cast out for being an idiot or a schmuck?”

It seems fans embrace the ideals of the Dropkick Murphys, as some have been avid listeners since the beginning of the band’s career.

“Our fans are rabid maniacs,” Wallace said, laughing. “We have some of the greatest, most loyal fans. I don’t really consider them fans, though. They are more like a big part of the family. They are friends I just don’t know yet.”

The audience being one with the band is common spiel for punk rock artists, but the Dropkick Murphys seem to exude it, never forgetting to pay thanks to their faithful followers.

Many songs have been a tribute to Boston, a city with a large Irish population and a huge fan base.

As for the future, the band plans to keep touring and making music.

“We are going to keep doing what we do,” Wallace said. “We will keep on trekking.”

Wallace is unsure what direction Born & Bred Records will take.

“I don’t really know if we are going to sign bands,” he said. “Right now, we are getting our record established and we will just have to see what happens down the road.”

When asked what message he wanted to give to everyone or anyone, Wallace said, “We want the men and women overseas to know that we love them and miss them. Putting aside the government ideologies, we just want the troops to know we support them. They are in our thoughts and prayers, and we hope they get home safe.”

WHO: The Vandals, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Dropkick Murphys

WHERE: Pacific Amphitheatre

WHEN: 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday

COST: $39.50

 “Do or Die,” 1998

 “The Gang’s All Here,” 1999

 “Sing Loud, Sing Proud!,” 2001

 “Blackout,” 2003

 “The Warrior’s Code,” 2005

 “The Meanest of Times,” 2007