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The Pogues

The Pogues were a popular Irish folk/punk band of the 1980s. They had a strong following, providing music which remains largely unique to this day.

The Pogues were founded in London in 1982 as Pogue Mahone — "pogue mahone" being the Anglicization of the Irish póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse." The band specialised in Celtic folk with a side order of punk attitude and featured a largely Irish-born cast.

Their politically-tinged music was reminiscent of The Clash, with whom they played (Joe Strummer produced one of their albums), and utilised traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo mandolin, accordion, and more. In the later incarnations of the band, after the departure of Shane MacGowan, electronic instruments such as the electric guitar would become more prevalent.

Shane MacGowan (vocals), Jim Fearnley (accordion) and Spider Stacy (tin whistle) were the original members of the Pogues, in the days when they busked on the streets of London. During this time they added Jeremy 'Jem' Finer (guitar, banjo), Cait O'Riordan (bass) and Andrew Ranken (drums). The band rapidly developed a reputation, started releasing some indie work, and ended up opening for The Clash on tour in 1984. Shortening their name to "The Pogues" due to lack of radio play for the curse in their name, they released their first album Red Roses for Me in 1985.

Phil Chevron (guitar) joined the group soon after, then with the aid of punk and new wave forefather Elvis Costello they recorded the follow up, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, in 1985 (The album title is a reply attributed to Winston Churchill and others in describing the Royal Navy.). The album cover featured The Raft of the Medusa. While the first album had focused mostly on traditional songs, Shane MacGowan came into his own as a songwriter with this disc, offering up some remarkable pieces of poetic story-telling. Their version of Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" featured on the album and has become more popular than the original.

The band failed to take advantage of the momentum created by the strong artistic and commercial success of their second album. They first refused to record another album (offering up the 4 track EP Poguetry in Motion instead); O'Riordan married Costello and left the band, to be replaced by bassist Darryl Hunt; and they added a multi-instrumentalist in Terry Woods, fomerly of Steeleye Span. Looming over the band at this period (as throughout their entire career) was the increasingly erratic behaviour of their vocalist, principal songwriter and creative visionary, Shane MacGowan.

They managed to get things together to record If I Should Fall from Grace with God in 1988 (with its Christmas hit duet with Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York") and 1989's Peace and Love (featuring "White City" and "Down All The Days"). The band was at the peak of its commercial success, but MacGowan was spiralling out of control (especially notable during an appearance on the US Saturday Night Live). Their next album Hell's Ditch, produced by The Clash's Joe Strummer, featured Stacy and Finer handling many of the vocal duties. MacGowan and the band parted company in 1991.

With his departure, the band was thrown into a state of flux. Without their singer, vocal duties were for a time handled by Joe Strummer, before Stacy finally took over permanently. Two politely received but disappointing albums followed until 1996 when the Pogues disbanded. Though he came with strings attached, few would argue that without MacGowan, The Pogues were a band lacking a leader and in search of creative direction.

Shane MacGowan remains the sole member of the band in the spotlight, having founded The Popes (AKA Shane MacGowan and The Popes) in 1994. His autobiography, A Drink With Shane MacGowan, co-written with his journalist girlfriend appeared in 2001.

The band, including MacGowan, re-formed for a Christmas tour in 2001 and performed 9 shows in the UK in December 2004. In 2002 Q magazine named The Pogues as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die".

Discography

  • Red Roses For Me
  • Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash
  • If I Should Fall From Grace with God
  • Poguetry in Motion
  • Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah
  • Peace and Love
  • Hell's Ditch
  • Waiting For Herb
  • Pogue Mahone
  • The Best of The Pogues
  • The Rest Of The Best

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In 2002 Q magazine named The Pogues as one of the "50 Bands To See Before You Die". They currently live in Nashville. The band, including MacGowan, re-formed for a Christmas tour in 2001 and performed 9 shows in the UK in December 2004. On February 23, 2002, she married Dean Sheremet, a dancer she met while recording Twisted Angel. His autobiography, A Drink With Shane MacGowan, co-written with his journalist girlfriend appeared in 2001. She has won an American Music Award, two Grammy Awards, three Academy of Country Music Awards, and four Billboard Music Awards. Shane MacGowan remains the sole member of the band in the spotlight, having founded The Popes (AKA Shane MacGowan and The Popes) in 1994. Rimes' other notable songs include "Can't Fight The Moonlight", from the movie Coyote Ugly, and American Idol favorite, "I Need You".

Though he came with strings attached, few would argue that without MacGowan, The Pogues were a band lacking a leader and in search of creative direction. She is most recognized for her crossover hit "How Do I Live" which, according to the Billboard charts, is one of the most successful songs in American music history. Two politely received but disappointing albums followed until 1996 when the Pogues disbanded. Born in Jackson, Mississippi, Rimes emerged with her first single, "Blue", when she was just thirteen years of age. Without their singer, vocal duties were for a time handled by Joe Strummer, before Stacy finally took over permanently. Margaret LeAnn Rimes (born August 28, 1982) is a popular American country music singer. With his departure, the band was thrown into a state of flux. LeAnn Rimes photo gallery (http://www.leannpictures.com).

MacGowan and the band parted company in 1991. LeAnn Rimes fan site (http://www.leann.net). Their next album Hell's Ditch, produced by The Clash's Joe Strummer, featured Stacy and Finer handling many of the vocal duties. LeAnn Rimes official website (http://www.rimestimes.com). The band was at the peak of its commercial success, but MacGowan was spiralling out of control (especially notable during an appearance on the US Saturday Night Live). Nothin' 'Bout Love Makes Sense (also released as a video). They managed to get things together to record If I Should Fall from Grace with God in 1988 (with its Christmas hit duet with Kirsty MacColl "Fairytale of New York") and 1989's Peace and Love (featuring "White City" and "Down All The Days"). O Holy Night.

Looming over the band at this period (as throughout their entire career) was the increasingly erratic behaviour of their vocalist, principal songwriter and creative visionary, Shane MacGowan. This Love. The band failed to take advantage of the momentum created by the strong artistic and commercial success of their second album. They first refused to record another album (offering up the 4 track EP Poguetry in Motion instead); O'Riordan married Costello and left the band, to be replaced by bassist Darryl Hunt; and they added a multi-instrumentalist in Terry Woods, fomerly of Steeleye Span. Last Thing On My Mind (with Ronan Keating) (also released as a video). Their version of Eric Bogle's "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda" featured on the album and has become more popular than the original. We Can (also released as a video). While the first album had focused mostly on traditional songs, Shane MacGowan came into his own as a songwriter with this disc, offering up some remarkable pieces of poetic story-telling. Tic Toc.

The album cover featured The Raft of the Medusa. Suddenly (also released as a video). Phil Chevron (guitar) joined the group soon after, then with the aid of punk and new wave forefather Elvis Costello they recorded the follow up, Rum Sodomy & the Lash, in 1985 (The album title is a reply attributed to Winston Churchill and others in describing the Royal Navy.). Life Goes On (also released as a video). Shortening their name to "The Pogues" due to lack of radio play for the curse in their name, they released their first album Red Roses for Me in 1985. I Need You (also released as a video). The band rapidly developed a reputation, started releasing some indie work, and ended up opening for The Clash on tour in 1984. Can't Fight The Moonlight (also released as a video).

During this time they added Jeremy 'Jem' Finer (guitar, banjo), Cait O'Riordan (bass) and Andrew Ranken (drums). Crazy. Shane MacGowan (vocals), Jim Fearnley (accordion) and Spider Stacy (tin whistle) were the original members of the Pogues, in the days when they busked on the streets of London. Big Deal (also released as a video). In the later incarnations of the band, after the departure of Shane MacGowan, electronic instruments such as the electric guitar would become more prevalent. Written In The Stars (with Elton John) (also released as a video). Their politically-tinged music was reminiscent of The Clash, with whom they played (Joe Strummer produced one of their albums), and utilised traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo mandolin, accordion, and more. Nothin' New Under The Moon.

The Pogues were founded in London in 1982 as Pogue Mahone — "pogue mahone" being the Anglicization of the Irish póg mo thóin, meaning "kiss my arse." The band specialised in Celtic folk with a side order of punk attitude and featured a largely Irish-born cast. Feels Like Home. They had a strong following, providing music which remains largely unique to this day. Looking Through Your Eyes (also released as a video). The Pogues were a popular Irish folk/punk band of the 1980s. Commitment (also released as a video). The Rest Of The Best. On The Side Of Angels.

The Best of The Pogues. You Light Up My Life (also released as a video). Pogue Mahone. How Do I Live (also released as a video). Waiting For Herb. Unchained Melody. Hell's Ditch. The Light In Your Eyes (also released as a video).

Peace and Love. One Way Ticket (Because I Can) (also released as a video). Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah. Blue (also released as a video). Poguetry in Motion. This Woman (2005). If I Should Fall From Grace with God. What A Wonderful World (2004).

Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash. Greatest Hits (2003). Red Roses For Me. Twisted Angel (2002). I Need You (Re-issue)(2002). God Bless America (2001).

I Need You (2001). LeAnn Rimes (1999). Sittin' On Top Of The World (1998). You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs (1997).

Unchained Melody: The Early Years (1997). Blue (1996).