Celtic Punk Veteran Seán Griffin Finds Surreal Escape in “Rocks Off”

Seán Griffin

For decades, Seán Griffin has been a mainstay of Celtic punk, best known as the frontman of The Ruffians. Now, with his solo debut on the horizon, he’s carving out a new identity—one that draws on his history but pushes into new territory. His latest single, “Rocks Off,” makes that shift unmistakable.

Originally shelved years ago, the track resurfaced during sessions with Grammy-winning producer Kenny Siegel, later mixed by Paul Kolderie and mastered by Greg Calbi. Driving guitars and sharper edges give it the swagger Griffin says he always heard in its DNA. “It has always had some rock and roll swagger to it, and it just felt like the right moment,” he reflects.

The single arrives with a retro-fueled video directed by Luke Carquillat. It begins in a stalled family minivan, when a pristine 1962 Corvette pulls up alongside—igniting a surreal daydream. Engines roar, a fireside romance flickers, and a rose-petal sequence nods to American Beauty before reality resets. “It seemed best to treat it as a passing fantasy and to bookend it with my family in the beginning and the end since they are my anchor,” Griffin explains.

His solo debut is due soon, with club and festival dates to follow across North America, the U.K., and Europe. For now, “Rocks Off” stands as both revival and reinvention—proof that Griffin’s storytelling continues to evolve while keeping its restless spark intact.

For music, news, and tour dates, visit Seán Griffin's official website.