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Le Cheile 200430th July - 1st AugustOldcastle, Co. Meath |
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Le Cheile 200430th July - 1st AugustOldcastle, Co. Meath |
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From the early punk days of The Nipple Erectors, through the wild days of The Pogues, through to his current band The Popes, Shane MacGowan has been wowing audiences for the past 25 years.
Widely regarded as Ireland's greatest songwriter, his fans number among them; Christy Moore, Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, Kirsty McColl, Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Then Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson, Clannad's Marie Brennan, Pink Floyd's Michael Kamen, Van Morrison, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Primal Scream, Bono and Sinead O' Connor; all of whom have recorded and performed with him over the years. Indeed 'Fairytale of New York' is widely regarded as being one of the finest Christmas song ever recorded (only being kept from the number 1 spot by the Pet Shop Boys insipid cover of 'Always on my mind').
His first group, The Nipple Erectors took the punk scene by storm with 'King Of The Bop' in 1976. They later changed their name to The Nips and recorded three more singles including the fantastic 'Gabrielle' in 1978, regularly playing support to acts like The Clash and The Jam.
In 1983 Shane teamed up with Peter 'Spider' Stacy (tin whistle), Jem Finer (banjo and mandolin), James Fearnley (accordion, guitar and piano) and Cait O'Riordan (bass) to play chaotic versions of drinking songs and occasional MacGowan originals such as 'Dark Streets Of London' and 'Streams Of Whiskey' under the name of Pogue Mahone.
They changed the name to The Pogues after a BBC Radio producer discovered what Pogue Mahone actually meant, and released their debut album, 'Red Roses for Me' in 1984. A string of albums follow, 'Rum, Sodomy and The Lash' in 1985, 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God' in 1988, 'Peace and Love' in 1989, and 'Hells Ditch' in 1990, before their parting of ways in 1991.
Since leaving The Pogues he has been involved in a number of collaborations with Van Morrison, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Johnny Depp, Brian Robertson (formerly of Thin Lizzy), The Dubliners, Christy Moore, Sinead O'Connor and Marie Brennan, Michael Kamen, as well as recording two albums with his new backing band The Popes, 'The Snake' in 1994 and 'Crock of Gold' in 1997.
Shane is currently promoting his new record, "Road To Paradise" (a double A-side single with Glasgow Celtic fan Jim Kerr of Simple Minds singing 'Dirty Old Town' on the flipside), the proceeds from which will go to fighting Motor Neurone Disease. The song was written specially for the charity after Shane heard how Glasgow Celtic player Jimmy Johnstone was struck down by the disease.
Picture taken at Barrowlands in January 2004. © Chris Wright 2004.