By JAY MILLER, The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, MA)

A veteran of the first Gulf War, Mike McColgan is still as politically charged as ever, but takes a more nuanced approach on the Street Dogs latest effort, “State of Grace.”

The fourth album – now on the national label Hellcat Records – has gained the Dorchester punk rockers mainstream attention as they’ve been touring, including a stint on the Warped Tour.

Tonight, the band plays the Bluebird.

Often compared to bands like Green Day, the Street Dogs raise their level of musicianship and maturity on “State of Grace” without losing any punk-styled passion. The band’s political stances are subtle and some songs get personal, like “Kevin J. O’Toole,” which is dedicated to McColgan’s late uncle.

“The surprising thing is that the song gets one of our biggest responses in concert, and it got immediate response as soon as we began playing it,” said McColgan, the former lead singer of The Dropkick Murphys. He left that band to become a Boston firefighter, like his late uncle. “I guess there’s a universal aspect to it that many people can relate to, and I’m happy we can remember him that way.”

The Street Dogs’ previous album, “Fading American Dream” was one of the best albums in 2006, marking the Street Dogs as a band to watch. This year’s CD continues that trend, but takes a wider view on the current power brokers.

The only song about Iraq, for example, is “Into the Valley,” which describes the ordeal of being a soldier. Songs like “Rebel Song” and “Modern Day Labor Anthem,” (reworked from the version on “Savin Hill”) deal more with economic inequality.

One of the most arresting songs will be “Guns,” which decries the flood of firearms and gang violence and references an incident where stray shots struck a baby.

“That song tries to take you right into the ambulance with that girl, right into the frustration and insanity of that situation,” McColgan said. “I don’t have all the answers, but I do feel more in step using my music to sing about substantive issues instead of just recycling the usual overdone tripe we hear in most music today.”

“Two Angry Kids” is a nod to McColgan’s wild youth, where he and pals like Dropkick’s vocalist/bassist Ken Casey first jammed together.

“I feel this music definitely played a big part in my life when I needed it,” McColgan said. “I needed a way to focus all my energy and rebellion in a positive, productive way, and punk rock came along when I needed it most.”

Street Dogs with Time Again, Flatfoot 56 and Benedict Arnold

Tonight, Bluebird, 2706 Olive Street, $15/ $18