Irish Punk
The Pogues
The Pogues
In Kings Cross, North London in 1982 a Celtic punk group called Pogue Mahone (Kiss My Arse), now known as The Pogues, formed and began their journey to fame and success. Only after much debate and controversy their name was re contracted as no one in their right mind at that time would disrespect the Gaelic language and call a band Kiss My Arse. The fact that no radio station would broadcast their songs on the airwaves because of their name was also a problem.
Since their early days as a formed group, front man Shane MacGowan’s far from impeccable set of teeth, the bands overall persona as loud mouth, pint drinking smoking Irishmen and their combined Irish roots of music infused with new wave rock and roll influences had them standing out. They were known and quoted as being A radical new take on traditional Irish music.
Members of the group, both former and present, played a range of instruments highlighting the traditional Irish sound The Pogues are renowned for. Current members of the band listed below.
Shane MacGowan - vocals, guitar, banjo, bodhrán
Spider Stacy - vocals, tin whistle
Jem Finer - banjo, mandola, saxophone, hurdy-gurdy, guitar, vocals
Andrew Ranken - drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals
James Fearnley - accordion, mandolin, piano, guitar
Philip Chevron - guitar, vocals
Darryl Hunt - bass guitar
Terry Woods - mandolin, cittern, concertina, guitar, vocals
The Pogues are known for their bitter lyrics and traditional Irish folk instrumentation but carry a strong following in the Celtic punk scene as they essentially invented the genre. They were also a mass influence in the Celtic fusion scene, which has gained them a wider audience fan base across the globe. Although the band have released over 7 studio albums their greatest success which earned them much recognition was in 1987 when they released ‘If I should fall from Grace with God’ which included; Lullaby of London, South Australia and the frequently quoted Best Christmas song of all time Fairytale of New York.
At the peak of their commercial success after ‘If I should fall from Grace with God’ it was only a matter of time when the band would officially call it quits. MacGowan had become increasingly disinterested and unreliable, failing to turn up to scheduled opening nights for tours in America, sabotaging his career as the front man and in the end preventing the band from going any further with promotion dates. It is also said that a major factor in the split was the disagreement as a band wanting to sing controversial political songs. In 1991 the band made the decision to let MacGowan go and the remaining members went on to record as The Vendettas. MacGowan also went down an alternative path with his new band Shane MacGowan and The Popes, but after only two studio albums also called it quits. In 2001 MacGowan reunited the Pogues once more for a Christmas tour, played nine shows across the United Kingdom and were named one of the 50 Bands To See Before You Die.
The Pogues continue to tour and share their whacky ways with audiences around the globe. Most recently the movie P.S I Love You featured their song ‘I love you till the End’ which rekindled a lost love with not only their songs but also the band.
Releases
Red Roses for Me - (1984)
Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985)
If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988)
Peace and Love (1989)
Hell's Ditch (1990)
Waiting for Herb (1993)
Pogue Mahone (1996)
Since their early days as a formed group, front man Shane MacGowan’s far from impeccable set of teeth, the bands overall persona as loud mouth, pint drinking smoking Irishmen and their combined Irish roots of music infused with new wave rock and roll influences had them standing out. They were known and quoted as being A radical new take on traditional Irish music.
Members of the group, both former and present, played a range of instruments highlighting the traditional Irish sound The Pogues are renowned for. Current members of the band listed below.
Shane MacGowan - vocals, guitar, banjo, bodhrán
Spider Stacy - vocals, tin whistle
Jem Finer - banjo, mandola, saxophone, hurdy-gurdy, guitar, vocals
Andrew Ranken - drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals
James Fearnley - accordion, mandolin, piano, guitar
Philip Chevron - guitar, vocals
Darryl Hunt - bass guitar
Terry Woods - mandolin, cittern, concertina, guitar, vocals
The Pogues are known for their bitter lyrics and traditional Irish folk instrumentation but carry a strong following in the Celtic punk scene as they essentially invented the genre. They were also a mass influence in the Celtic fusion scene, which has gained them a wider audience fan base across the globe. Although the band have released over 7 studio albums their greatest success which earned them much recognition was in 1987 when they released ‘If I should fall from Grace with God’ which included; Lullaby of London, South Australia and the frequently quoted Best Christmas song of all time Fairytale of New York.
At the peak of their commercial success after ‘If I should fall from Grace with God’ it was only a matter of time when the band would officially call it quits. MacGowan had become increasingly disinterested and unreliable, failing to turn up to scheduled opening nights for tours in America, sabotaging his career as the front man and in the end preventing the band from going any further with promotion dates. It is also said that a major factor in the split was the disagreement as a band wanting to sing controversial political songs. In 1991 the band made the decision to let MacGowan go and the remaining members went on to record as The Vendettas. MacGowan also went down an alternative path with his new band Shane MacGowan and The Popes, but after only two studio albums also called it quits. In 2001 MacGowan reunited the Pogues once more for a Christmas tour, played nine shows across the United Kingdom and were named one of the 50 Bands To See Before You Die.
The Pogues continue to tour and share their whacky ways with audiences around the globe. Most recently the movie P.S I Love You featured their song ‘I love you till the End’ which rekindled a lost love with not only their songs but also the band.
Releases
Red Roses for Me - (1984)
Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985)
If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988)
Peace and Love (1989)
Hell's Ditch (1990)
Waiting for Herb (1993)
Pogue Mahone (1996)