The Pogues is an Irish band with rock/folk influences. Their music combines traditional Irish music with the energy of 80s/90s rock-punk, where electric guitars blend perfectly with traditional instruments such as the bodhrán, tin whistle, accordion, and mandolin. Many consider this Irish band to be one of the greatest in Ireland, alongside the Chieftains and the Dubliners.
History of a Global Band
A band that doesn’t hold back!
It all began in 1982 in London, when a small band named “Pogue Mahone” was formed. This name is actually an English transcription of the Gaelic expression “Póg mo thóin“, which means “Kiss my Ass“. At that time, the band consisted of 6 musicians including:
- Shane MacGowan (vocals)
- Spider Stacy (tin whistle)
- Jim Fearnley (accordion)
- Jeremy Finer (guitar and banjo)
- Cait O’Riordan (bass)
- Andrew Ranken (percussion and harmonica)
Their career started in the streets and pubs, where they performed both traditional Irish tunes and original songs composed by the band. Over the years, they began to gain notoriety and were invited to perform on more prominent stages, opening for the Clash in 1984.
A distinctive band… led by a turbulent Shane MacGowan
In 1985, they decided to adopt the name “Pogues“, after being rejected by many radio stations due to the vulgarity of their original name. They then released their first album “Red Roses for Me”, which was a great success.
Meanwhile, Phil Chevron joined the band, and the Pogues recorded a new album: “Rum, Sodomy & the Lash“, produced by Elvis Costello. The title is actually a reference to a phrase Winston Churchill reportedly said about the living conditions of the British navy. Bassist Cait O’Riordan soon announced her departure following her marriage to Elvis Costello. Darryl Hunt took over, and multi-instrumentalist Terry Woods joined shortly after.
It was around this time that Shane MacGowan began leading a rather dissolute life. He juggled drugs and alcohol, gained a lot of weight, became known for his vulgarity and troubles with the police. All this greatly harmed the band’s image.
Musically, the Pogues participated in many projects, composed soundtracks for films, and recorded the iconic song “The Wild Rover” with the Chieftains. In 1988, they released the album “If I Should Fall from Grace with God“, featuring a hit that became a global song: “Fairytale of New York“, a Christmas song that topped the charts in Ireland and the UK.
Their success was immense but somewhat marred by Shane MacGowan’s increasingly violent and uncontrollable behavior. Although he had been the band’s leader since its inception, MacGowan left the group in 1991, leaving behind a band less effective than when he sang and wrote the lyrics. The Pogues continued without him until 1996, after releasing two albums less acclaimed than the previous ones. However, the band quickly lost momentum after their leader’s departure and decided in 1996 to disband.
They only reunited exceptionally in 2001 and 2004 for a few concerts in Europe and the United States, with the special participation of Shane MacGowan…
Their Discography
- Red Roses For Me (1984)
- Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash (1985)
- Poguetry in Motion (EP) (1986)
- If I Should Fall From Grace with God (1988)
- Peace and Love (1989)
- Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah (EP) (1990)
- Hell’s Ditch (1990)
- The Best of The Pogues (1991)
- The Rest Of The Best (1992)
- Waiting For Herb (1993)
- Pogue Mahone (1996)
- The Very Best Of The Pogues (2001)
- The Ultimate Collection including Live At The Brixton Academy 2001 (2005)
- Dirty Old Town: The Platinum Collection (2005)
- Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say… Poguemahone!! (5CD Box Set) (2008)
