US - One night cinema event Dec 1 (buy tickets)
Electronically available Dec 4
More dates around the world: Australia - 17 Dec, Germany & Austria - 25 Feb 2021, New Zealand 27 July 2021, Greece - TBD, Spain - TBD, Croatia/Slovenia/Serbia - TBD
Truly great songs that are as emotionally powerful as Fairytale of New York are very
rare indeed. Fairytale is a lyrical high wire act of dizzying scope and potency, and it
rightly takes its place as the greatest Christmas song ever written. It stands shoulder to shoulder
with any great song, from any time, not just for its sheer audacity, or its deep empathy, but for
its astonishing technical brilliance.
One of the many reasons this song is so loved is that, beyond almost any other song I can think
of, it speaks with such profound compassion to the marginalised and the dispossessed. With one of
the greatest opening lines ever written, the lyrics and the vocal performance emanate from deep
inside the lived experience itself, existing within the very bones of the song. It never looks down
on its protagonists. It does not patronise, but speaks its truth, clear and unadorned. It is a
magnificent gift to the outcast, the unlucky and the broken-hearted. We empathise with the plight of
the two fractious characters, who live their lonely, desperate lives against all that Christmas
promises — home and hearth, cheer, bounty and goodwill. It is as real a piece of lyric writing as I
have ever heard, and I have always felt it a great privilege to be close friends with its creator,
Shane MacGowan.
Now, once again, Fairytale is under attack. The idea that a word, or a line, in a song
can simply be changed for another and not do it significant damage is a notion that can only be
upheld by those that know nothing about the fragile nature of songwriting. The changing of the word
‘faggot’ for the nonsense word ‘haggard’ destroys the song by deflating it right at its essential
and most reckless moment, stripping it of its value. It becomes a song that has been tampered with,
compromised, tamed, and neutered and can no longer be called a great song. It is a song that has
lost its truth, its honour and integrity — a song that has knelt down and allowed the BBC to do its
grim and sticky business.
I am in no position to comment on how offensive the word ‘faggot’ is to some people,
particularly to the young — it may be deeply offensive, I don’t know, in which case Radio 1 should
have made the decision to simply ban the song, and allow it to retain its outlaw spirit and its
dignity.
In the end, I feel sorry for Fairytale, a song so gloriously problematic, as great works
of art so often are, performed by one of the most scurrilous and seditious bands of our time, whose
best shows were so completely and triumphantly out of order, they had to be seen to believed.
Yet, time and time again the integrity of this magnificent song is tested. The BBC, that gatekeeper
of our brittle sensibilities, forever acting in our best interests, continue to mutilate an artefact
of immense cultural value and in doing so takes something from us this Christmas, impossible to
measure or replace. On and on it goes, and we are all the less for it.
In these dark times fans from all around the world are coming together via videonconferencing to play their favorite Pogues tracks. The most recent video (Misty Morning, Albert Bridge) even features James Fearnley and Jem Finer!
Wide Eyed Lady featuring Terry Woods on banjo, mandolin and veillette, is a song written and performed by Irish/singer songwriter Lou McMahon. Wide Eyed Lady featured on the artists debut mini album in 2010 Delicate Dancer. Since then it has been remixed, remastered and being released a single for the first time.
The track can be heard on the award winning compilation album The Ultimate Guide to Irish Folk, which was part of a series of world music guides in the Arc music catalogue. It was described at the time by Timothy Monger of allmusic.com as "one of Ireland's better contemporary artists." Her style and talent on her prior single, Delicate Dancer, is described by Fr. McGreer as "she's deadly!" This is the first single of many leading to a long awaited album release in 2021.
Wide Eyed Lady is a dark folktale that interweaves gothic rock with folk pop, guided by a storytelling style that creeps in the realms of mythology, folklore and dark fantasy.
On July 24 in London The Pogues announced that they have partnered
with West Cork Distillers, one of the few remaining independent distillers
left in Ireland, to produce an Irish Whiskey all their own.
Commenting on the partnership, The Pogues say: “It’s been brilliant
working with such experts to come up with a whiskey that we all think reflects our
spirit and that we all like the taste of. It’s wonderful to add to the ranks of
great Irish whiskeys and we hope it stands the test of time.”
The Pogues Irish Whiskey is now available in Ireland in the following stores Dunnes Stores, O’Donovan’s, O’Brien’s, and Carryout. It is also available in N. Ireland in the McCabes chain. There will be a further announcement on availability in the coming weeks for UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium & Switzerland.
To celebrate over 30 Years of the Pogues, Rhino Records is reissuing the band's first 5 classic albums along with the 1986 Elvis Costello produced EP 'Poguetry In Motion' on limited edition red vinyl.
'Red Roses For Me' uses the 2013 remix from the original multi-track tapes by Nick Robbins
'Peace and Love' uses the 2013 remix from the original multi-track tapes by legendary producer Steve Lillywhite
The records contain the original printed inner bags except for Red Roses For Me and Poguetry in Motion
The red vinyl on 'Poguetry In Motion' will be limited to around 4500 world-wide
Andrew has been bellowing at the front of The Mysterious Wheels for thirty years. In 2014 they decided
to make it official, too, and have entered the studio to record their first full length release. They also
get together every month to shake the rafters at Bar Etcetera in Stoke Newington, bringing their very
excellent Blues, Country and soulful Rock n' Roll to the people. You should go see them.
Go to the Mysterious Wheels' web site, listen to tracks,
sign up for their mailing list (they promise to use the information only for good or comedy), and
learn more about when to book your next trip to Stoke Newington.
Stay in bed when the Pogues are in town?
Well, that's a bloody stupid thing to do!
—Joe Strummer
A limited edition, two disc, red vineyl release of the Joe Strummer and The Pogues show from 1991 (the same show featured on the The Pogues: 30 Years anthology) will be made available on April 19. This release is limited (1,000 in the UK and limited supplies worldwide). You best not let it smip by.
To celebrate 30 years of great music The Pogues and Rhino are releasing a box set containing all seven studio albums PLUS a bonus CD featuring for the first time a complete 1991 concert featuring the legendary Joe Strummer (three tracks of this show were released on the Just look them in the eye... collection). In addition Red Roses for Me has been remixed from the original tapes by Nick Robbins and Peace & Love remixed by Steve Lillywhite from the original multitrack tapes.The other discs will feature the 2004 remastering work.
The complete track list of all nine discs is
here.
The box sert will be available from fine vendors everywhere from December 19, 2013.
A budget-priced version of Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Poguemahone!! has been released in a new, flatpack release. The five-disc box set with rarities, radio sessions, demos, movie incidental music and live recordings may lack the original fancy packaging but it is now available through Amazon for the friendly price of 14.71 pounds.
The liner notes and the complete track list can be found here.
— Zuzana
30:30
‘30:30’ is a 2-CD retrospective that commemorates The Pogues illustrious 30 year career; containing the Irish legend’s biggest hits spanning 1984 to 1996. Included among the 30 tracks is the nation’s favorite Christmas song and 1-million seller ‘Fairytale of New York,’ the top-10 single ‘Irish Rover,’ as well as the classic ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ and fan favorite ‘Fiesta.’
The Shout Factory has teamed up with The Pogues to put together a fantastic single-disk collection. Compiled with input from the band The Very best of The Pogues features a comprehensive tour the band's greatest tracks spanning their entire recording career.
The disc is available starting Jan 22 from Amazon!
The Pogues and Polydor/Universal France are excited to release a special edition celebration of the
30th Anniversary show in Paris' legendary Olympia Theatre. The release is available in multiple formats
globally. Available formats are:
2 CD set featuring the entire concert
DVD (region free) featuring the entire concert, plus bonus performance of Thousands are Sailing in Manchester, 2004
Blu-Ray (region free) featuring the entire concert, plus bonus performance of Thousands are Sailing in Manchester, 2004
Limited Edition 3-LP vinyl (180 gms) with photo sleeve and liner notes
Limited Edition book featuring exclusive text and never before published photos, 2 CDs, DVD of the show,
and a bonus DVD featuring two programs including interviews and live performances archived from French television
including the cult favourite les Enfants du Rock (Children of Rock) from 1986
Amazon: FR, UK, DE, JP, CA, US
Note: Not all formats are currently listed on all stores. Keep checking if you don't see the one you want. Also note that import versions are available for Japan, USA, and Canada. It is planned that there will be non-import releases eventually available for these locations.
iTunes (Note: you may be prompted to switch to a different iTunes country/region)
Miss the Last Wave, the third album by Darryl Hunt's band BISH,
will be available from iTunes (and other fine digital emporiums) on April
8. It joins BISH's previous offerings BISH and Surrounded by
Mountains. BISH's guitar driven pop will earn a promenant place
and frequent plays in your music collection.
James Fearnley has written an excellent memoir titled Here Comes Everybody - The Story of the Pogues published by Faber and Faber in May, 2012. You should go buy it right now.
You can follow latest news regarding James' book at jamesfearnley.com.
Jem Finer's art installation called Still is on display at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (West Bretton, Wakefield, West Yorkshire) until May 7. It is a giant screen projection of 18,000 images taken in a forest using a solar-powered camera and recorded through a specially designed computer programme. You can read more about this project as well as Jem's other art and his life with the Pogues in a Yorkshire Post interview.
Mobile Sinfonia, conceived and composed by Jem Finer, is an indeterminate musical composition scored for mobile phones. It is propagated through the free distribution of specially composed ringtones. Each ringtone is a ‘voice’ in the composition, and together they make a global orchestra of electronic instruments.
A list of all live shows the Pogues have played since getting back together in 2001, with links to forum discussions, media reviews, travelogues, photos and setlists.
If you want to refresh your memories of a particular show or wonder which places the reunited Pogues have visited look HERE.
— Zuzana & MacRua
Just Look Them Straight In The Eye ... It’s Box Set Time!
Just Look Them Straight In The Eye and Say... POGUEMAHONE!!
The Pogues have opened the hidden private vaults containing the
archive of their recordings not
previously released. The result? A five-disc box set titled
"Just Look Them Straight in the Eye And Say... POGUEMAHONE!!"
The compilation includes rarities, radio
sessions, demos, movie incidental music and live recordings. Also inside are the
legendary Murder, Donegal Express, Danny Boy, Travelling
People, and Fairytale of New York demos, collaborations with
Joe Strummer, Kirsty MacColl, Steve Earle and much more.
The complete track list with all 109 songs, all five discs is
here.
The Pogues have lots of things
on the market to satisfy your Celtic Punk desires. Seven
full-length CDs, remixed with extra tracks. Collections.
A box-set with rarities. Books! Videos! T-Shirts, pint
glasses, posters and much more.
But where to buy these things? There are many places, but
if you buy from the Amazon links on this
page then you help pay for this site. That's gotta be
a good thing, right?
James “The Maestro” Fearnley has been kind enough to
document life on the road during the 2005 and 2006 shows. All
installments starting with London, 2005 are available beginning
with:
Sunday, July 17 Shane came into rehearsal
‘professionally late’, as he wittily put it, with
that gnashing laugh he has, the first day of rehearsal. I think
he’d had to be woken up, in his flat. He wasn’t as
sartorial as I’ ve seen him of late, though he still has
his brothel-creepers that I became familiar with coming across
on the dressing room floor when we were on tour at Christmas, as
he felt the need to air his rather curious-looking feet (and to
air, with Joey, the top half of his body, at least one evening,
where were we? Newcastle I think). He staggered in at four in
the afternoon wearing a tophat that looked as though someone had
attempted to contain a firework inside it. Continued...
Special thanks to The Pogues for their generous help.
Philip Chevron
June 17 1957 - October 8 2013
The news of Philip's death on Tuesday morning, from complications brought about by throat cancer, has hurt us terribly. Philip was first diagnosed with the disease in 2006 and after a gruelling period of chemotherapy which he had fought with such dignity, strength and heroism, he was declared to be in remission. But in a tragic stroke last August he returned from visiting his oncologist with the harrowing news that his cancer had returned, and that this time it was inoperable. It has been no consolation that we have all had months to prepare for the worst; when the worst came, the preparations we had made turned out to be futile, and the impact has been felt very deeply. The hole that his death has left will be huge. He was a remarkable and fantastically talented colleague, but most of all a friend. Our thoughts go out to his fans, who loved him unanimously. But above all, our thoughts are now with his family, with those he held dear and who have held him dear. Philip will be missed terribly and will always be in our hearts. - The Pogues
Andrew Ranken and The Mysterious Wheels
Just Look Them Straight In The Eye... once again
30:30
All new The Very best of The Pogues out now!
Miss the Last Wave from BISH
Here Comes Everybody
Jem Finer's new projects
The Reunited Pogues Gig List
Just Look Them Straight In The Eye ...
The Pogues have lots of things
on the market to satisfy your Celtic Punk desires. Seven
full-length CDs, remixed with extra tracks. Collections.
A box-set with rarities. Books! Videos! T-Shirts, pint
glasses, posters and much more.
The news of Philip's death on Tuesday morning, from complications brought about by throat cancer, has hurt us terribly. Philip was first diagnosed with the disease in 2006 and after a gruelling period of chemotherapy which he had fought with such dignity, strength and heroism, he was declared to be in remission. But in a tragic stroke last August he returned from visiting his oncologist with the harrowing news that his cancer had returned, and that this time it was inoperable. It has been no consolation that we have all had months to prepare for the worst; when the worst came, the preparations we had made turned out to be futile, and the impact has been felt very deeply. The hole that his death has left will be huge. He was a remarkable and fantastically talented colleague, but most of all a friend. Our thoughts go out to his fans, who loved him unanimously. But above all, our thoughts are now with his family, with those he held dear and who have held him dear. Philip will be missed terribly and will always be in our hearts. - The Pogues
