BOSTON -- Four south shore grade-school rockers got a surprise from their favorite band after two local bars pulled the plug on the kids' performance.

Brothers Jack and Nick Bell, 11 and 10, Sam Wells, 9, of Weymouth, and Sam Attridge, 12, of Hingham, make up the band Barroom Heroes, which is named after a song by the Dropkick Murphys.

The band was supposed to play at Basta Bar, but a police licensing officer thought it was an inappropriate venue for the young musicians. The show was canceled a few hours before they were to perform. A show scheduled for Wednesday at Kilroy's Cafe in Quincy was also canceled.

"All the time and effort we put in and our teacher put in, it's kind of unfair," Jake said.

When Dropkick Murphys singer Ken Casey heard about the cancellations, he gave the boys and their parents backstage passes at his show at the Comcast Center.

Casey told the Barroom Heroes about his own band's setbacks as they were starting out, and said he hopes the controversy will shine a spotlight on the need for more venues for young musicians.

After the controversy, Weymouth town officials agreed late Wednesday to a compromise. The kids will be able to play in the bar as long as there is no alcohol served during the show.