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The Pogues

From Alfawiki
The Pogues
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1982 in London, England
FounderShane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, Jem Finer
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

The Pogues are a Celtic punk ensemble from England, established in 1982 in London's King's Cross area by Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, and Jem Finer. Originally called Pogue Mahone, an anglicized version of the Irish expression póg mo thóin meaning "kiss my arse," the group blended traditional Irish music with punk rock elements. Although initially met with skepticism by purists, they eventually rejuvenated the traditional music scene.

Following their inception, the Pogues expanded their roster by adding musicians such as James Fearnley and Cait O'Riordan, earning acclaim for their dynamic performances across London venues. In 1984, they supported The Clash on tour and released their first album, Red Roses for Me, which mixed traditional tunes with MacGowan's original compositions. Their sophomore effort, Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985), produced by Elvis Costello, was succeeded by the EP Poguetry in Motion (1986). Collaborations included a 1987 chart-topping single in Ireland and a UK top ten hit with The Dubliners on "The Irish Rover". Later that year, their festive duet "Fairytale of New York" featuring MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl achieved comparable success and appeared on their highly regarded third album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988).

The band released two additional albums featuring MacGowan—Peace and Love (1989) and Hell's Ditch (1990)—before parting ways with him during a 1991 tour due to his substance abuse problems affecting live shows.

MacGowan went on to form Shane MacGowan and The Popes, while the Pogues continued with Joe Strummer and later Stacy as lead vocalists, producing Waiting for Herb (1993). After the disappointing commercial performance of their seventh album, Pogue Mahone (1996), the band disbanded. They reunited with MacGowan in 2001 for extensive touring but did not release new studio material. Following guitarist Philip Chevron’s death in October 2013, they disbanded again in 2014. Bassist Darryl Hunt passed away in August 2022, and MacGowan died in November 2023. Remaining members Stacy, Finer, and Fearnley revived the Pogues in 2024, planning tours across the UK, Ireland, and North America in 2025.

Pre-Pogues era: 1977–1982

Before forming the Pogues, Shane MacGowan (vocals), Peter "Spider" Stacy (tin whistle), and Jem Finer (banjo) played together in the Millwall Chainsaws during the late 1970s. MacGowan and Stacy first met at a Ramones concert in London in 1977. MacGowan also fronted the Nips until their dissolution in 1980, after which he concentrated on Stacy’s Millwall Chainsaws, renamed The New Republicans. Their debut performance as The New Republicans took place in early 1981 at Cabaret Futura in Soho, London, sharing the bill with Soft Cell.

Early period: 1982–1986

In 1982, MacGowan, Stacy, and Finer established Pogue Mahone, soon joined by James Fearnley—a guitarist formerly with the Nips. The name was proposed by Stacy and is derived from an expression found in James Joyce's Ulysses meaning "kiss my arse." Their first live show occurred on October 4, 1982, at The Pindar of Wakefield. By October 29 of that year, Cait O'Riordan (bass) and John Hasler (drums) had joined; Andrew Ranken replaced Hasler on drums in March 1983.

The band cultivated a following through performances at pubs and clubs around London and released their debut single "Dark Streets of London" via their own label, which received airplay on BBC Radio 1. Supporting The Clash during their 1984 tour attracted media interest and led to a contract with Stiff Records. Due to objections over their original name, DJ David Jensen began referring to them as "the Pogues," a moniker they adopted officially. Their first album, Red Roses for Me, was launched in October 1984.

Their music video for "Waxie's Dargle" aired on Channel 4's The Tube and gained popularity despite Stiff Records opting not to issue it as a single. In 1985, collaborating with producer Elvis Costello and new guitarist Philip Chevron, they recorded Rum Sodomy & the Lash. This record signaled a move toward more original compositions and highlighted MacGowan’s songwriting prowess with tracks such as "The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn" and "The Old Main Drag," alongside distinguished covers.

Though critically acclaimed, commercial success was limited. Instead of producing a full subsequent album immediately, they released the EP Poguetry in Motion. Following O'Riordan’s marriage to Costello and her departure from the band, Darryl Hunt took over bass duties; multi-instrumentalist Terry Woods also joined. MacGowan’s increasingly unpredictable behavior began to impact group dynamics. Shortly after their successful 1987 collaboration "The Irish Rover" with The Dubliners—released amid Stiff Records’ bankruptcy—the band members appeared in Alex Cox's film Straight to Hell, contributing five tracks to its soundtrack.

Commercial breakthrough and dissolution: 1987–1996

The group cemented their prominence with the album If I Should Fall from Grace with God, which included the seasonal duet with Kirsty MacColl, "Fairytale of New York". Issued as a single in 1987, it climbed to No. 1 in Ireland and peaked at No. 2 on the UK charts during its highest sales period. The song became a holiday staple and was voted the top Christmas track for three consecutive years (2004–2006) by VH1 UK. Additionally, it was placed 27th among the greatest songs that never topped the UK charts and ranked 84th in all-time favorites according to BBC Radio 2 listeners. In 2007, the BBC briefly censored the song due to a potentially offensive word but reversed this decision following public backlash.

In 1989, Peace and Love displayed a more jazz-influenced sound, comprising six compositions by MacGowan alongside eight contributions from other band members such as Jem Finer and Philip Chevron. Although the album demonstrated varied songwriting strengths, concerns about MacGowan’s dependability intensified. Both this record and its predecessor secured spots within the UK top 5; however, MacGowan’s inconsistent conduct—including missed tour dates and hampered promotional efforts—culminated in his removal in 1991 after a problematic show at Japan's WOMAD Festival.

Following MacGowan's departure, vocal responsibilities were temporarily assumed by Joe Strummer, before Spider Stacy took over as permanent lead singer. The band issued Waiting for Herb in 1993, featuring "Tuesday Morning," which became their third and last UK top twenty hit, written and performed by Stacy. Subsequent exits of Terry Woods and James Fearnley led to their replacements by David Coulter and James McNally; Phil Chevron also departed due to health issues, with Jamie Clarke stepping in on guitar. This ensemble produced their seventh and final studio effort, Pogue Mahone, which failed commercially.

After Jem Finer's departure in 1996, the remaining members opted to disband. Shane MacGowan attributed the split to disagreements over the political direction of his songwriting, particularly reluctance among bandmates to fully embrace explicit pro-Republican themes despite some earlier politically charged songs like Streams of Whiskey. Following the breakup, MacGowan recorded Paddy Public Enemy Number One, paying tribute to Republican figure Dominic McGlinchey, reflecting his continued political expression.

Activities following disbandment

After the Pogues dissolved, members Spider Stacy, Andrew Ranken, and Darryl Hunt briefly formed The Vendettas, performing mainly new material written by Stacy along with some Pogues tracks. Eventually, Ranken and Hunt departed; Hunt embarked on a solo path with the indie group Bish, releasing their debut album in 2001. Ranken went on to join several bands including Kippers, The Municipal Waterboard, and The Mysterious Wheels. Stacy maintained collaborations with various ensembles such as James Walbourne, Filthy Thieving Bastards, Dropkick Murphys, and Astral Social Club.

Shane MacGowan established Shane MacGowan and The Popes in 1992, producing two studio albums before disbanding in 2006 after the Pogues reunited. His memoir, A Drink With Shane MacGowan, co-authored with Victoria Mary Clarke, was published in 2001. Jem Finer transitioned into experimental music projects, notably contributing to Longplayer, an ambitious composition intended to play continuously for a millennium. In 2005, he released Bum Steer alongside DB Bob.

James Fearnley relocated to the United States prior to leaving the Pogues and joined The Low And Sweet Orchestra followed by involvement with the Cranky George Trio. Philip Chevron revived The Radiators with brief participation from former Pogues member Cait O'Riordan. Terry Woods formed The Bucks with Ron Kavana, releasing Dancin' To The Ceili Band (1994), then later created The Woods Band which produced Music From The Four Corners of Hell (2002).

Reunion: 2001–2014

The Pogues reunited in 2001 for a Christmas tour and later played nine concerts across the UK and Ireland in December 2004. In 2002, Q magazine included them among the "50 Bands To See Before You Die." By July 2005, they appeared at Guilfest in Guildford and embarked on a brief three-show tour in Japan, a key market where their fanbase remained strong.

Later that year, they performed in Spain (September 2005) and toured the UK with Dropkick Murphys as their supporting act. Their iconic 1987 holiday track "Fairytale of New York" was reissued in December 2005, climbing to No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart. The band also delivered a live rendition of the song on the Jonathan Ross Christmas show for the BBC, with Katie Melua stepping in for the late Kirsty MacColl—marking the first televised live performance of this piece by the group.

In February 2006, The Pogues were honored with a lifetime achievement award at the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. March saw their return to the United States with Shane MacGowan for the first time in over 15 years, selling out venues in Washington D.C., Atlantic City, Boston, and New York. Additional sold-out concerts took place throughout late 2006 and early 2007 in cities including San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, London, Dublin, and Nottingham. This period became their busiest touring stretch since reuniting, featuring a West Coast US tour, eleven UK shows in December, and several European festival appearances.

Phil Chevron, the band's guitarist, mentioned that there were no immediate plans for new recordings or albums but left open the possibility of future releases. Meanwhile, Terry Woods revealed that MacGowan had been working on promising new material. In 2008, they issued the box set Just Look Them Straight in the Eye and Say....POGUE MAHONE!!, which compiled rare studio outtakes alongside unreleased tracks.

Critical reception varied during this era; however, audience turnout remained robust. A Washington Post review from March 2008 emphasized MacGowan's unmistakable vocal style despite noticeable physical changes. By December 2010, The Pogues embarked on what was billed as a farewell UK Christmas tour.

In March 2011, they wrapped up a sold-out six-city US tour named "A Parting Glass with The Pogues," covering Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Boston, and New York City. Stacy suggested this would probably be their last extensive US tour.

August 2012 featured an eight-city European tour commemorating their 30th anniversary. Starting at Stockton Weekender Festival (UK) and concluding with two performances at L'Olympia in Paris—both recorded for a live album and DVD released later that November.

The band released 30:30: The Essential Collection in March 2013—a two-disc compilation containing thirty tracks and eleven videos. October saw the arrival of Pogues 30, a box set comprising remastered studio albums plus an unreleased live recording from December 1991 featuring Joe Strummer.

Guitarist Philip Chevron passed away on 8 October 2013 due to oesophageal cancer at age 56.

Between December 2013 and spring/summer 2014, The Pogues conducted a brief UK Christmas tour followed by selected performances. Their final UK appearance took place on 6 July 2014 at London's British Summer Time festival in Hyde Park; their most recent concert occurred on 9 August 2014 at France's "Fête du bruit dans Landerneau" festival.

Post-split: 2014–2024

In a December 2015 conversation with Vice magazine, Shane MacGowan revealed that the band was no longer active, noting that old conflicts reemerged after their 2001 reunion. While he highlighted the importance of preserving friendships, he also admitted to feeling worn out by touring.

Darryl Hunt, the Pogues' longtime bassist, passed away in London on 8 August 2022 at the age of 72.

Shane MacGowan died in Dublin on 30 November 2023, aged 65. To honor him, the remaining band members came together to perform "The Parting Glass" at his funeral on 8 December 2023. Shortly after his passing, "Fairytale of New York" climbed to No. 1 on the charts in Ireland on 1 December 2023. His coffin was transported through Dublin atop a horse-drawn carriage as fans gathered along the route. Hundreds assembled at Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, County Tipperary, where prominent figures such as Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Bob Geldof, President Michael D. Higgins, and Gerry Adams were present. Inside the church, The Pogues delivered a rendition of "Fairytale of New York," joined by Glen Hansard, Lisa O'Neill, and John Sheahan from the Dubliners, accompanied by dancers.

On 13 December 2023, The Pogues re-released "Fairytale of New York" as a charity 7-inch single dedicated to MacGowan's memory and supporting the Dublin Simon Community, a homelessness charity that MacGowan had championed.

Second reunion: 2024–present

On 3 May 2024, surviving members Finer, Fearnley, and Stacy performed Pogues classics alongside guest singers at Hackney Empire, London, marking the fortieth anniversary of Red Roses for Me. The band reunited again for a second show at Dublin's 3Arena on 17 December 2024.

The reassembled group announced a UK and Ireland tour in 2025 celebrating the fortieth anniversary of their sophomore album, Rum Sodomy & the Lash. The six-date tour commenced on 1 May in Leeds (O2 Academy) and concluded on 8 May in Newcastle (O2 City Hall), with performances also scheduled in Birmingham, London, Glasgow, and Manchester. Their setlist featured the entire 1985 album alongside B-sides, extended versions, and major hits, with guest vocalists joining for several numbers.

On 1 April 2025, Fearnley, Finer, and Stacy announced a North American extension consisting of seven shows starting on 5 September at Washington, D.C.'s Lincoln Theater and wrapping up on 16–17 September at Terminal 5 in New York. The itinerary included stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.

The tour garnered widespread praise and showcased six lead singers who also fulfilled other roles when not fronting songs. Alongside original member Stacy, vocalists featured Iona Zajac, Lisa O'Neill, John Francis Flynn, Daragh Lynch, and Jordan O'Leary.

Members

Current members

Former members

  • Shane MacGowan – vocals, guitar, banjo, bodhrán, piano (1982–1991, 2001–2014; died 2023)
  • Cait O'Riordan – bass, vocals (1982–1986, 2004)
  • John Hasler – drums (1982–1983)
  • Andrew Ranken – drums, percussion, harmonica, vocals (1983–1996, 2001–2014)
  • Philip Chevron – guitar, vocals, mandolin, banjo (1985–1994, 2001–2013; died 2013)
  • Darryl Hunt – bass, vocals (1986–1996, 2001–2014; died 2022)
  • Terry Woods – mandolin, cittern, concertina, guitar, vocals (1986–1993, 2001–2014)
  • Joe Strummer – vocals, guitar (1991–1992; also replaced Phil Chevron for a US tour in 1987; died 2002)
  • Dave Coulter – mandolin, violin, ukulele, percussion (1993–1996)
  • James McNally – accordion, piano, whistles, percussion (1993–1996)
  • Jamie Clarke – guitar, vocals (1994–1996)

Discography

External links

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