11 February 2026
Irish/English Celtic-punk band THE POGUES broke the news of the passing
of their drummer Andrew Rankin, who was a co-founder of the band. He
was 72. R.I.P.
2 and 1/2 years ago, the band lost their notorious
frontman Shane MacGowan, aged 65. R.I.P.
19 Janaury 2026
UNCUT focuses in this new Ultimate Music Guide edition on the stormy story of the brilliant gang, know to us all as THE POGUES (1982–1996, 2001–2014) fronted by the incomparable Shane MacGowan (1957-2023).
The Pogues were a legendarily good time band, and immersed themselves heroically in the part, but their embrace of vibrant Irish musical culture was one aspect of a wider quest for adventurous music.
This they did, by expanding their personnel and taking influences from jazz,
middle-eastern music and beyond, building a group whose world-hungry musicality
found important fellow travellers in the shape of Joe Strummer, then on a similar
journey: a fusion of his punk era aggression with a more open-ended music.
You can purchase a copy and let it be sent to your home. Info HERE.
25 December 2025
Happy birthday, Shane, wherever you are.
Kirsty MacColl (1959-2000)
Shane MacGowan (1957-2023)
Ireland’s Own Magazine
Xmas special 2018
Unforgettable
Significant longplayers from yesteryear
5 August 2025
Irish rooted folk-punk-pop legends THE POGUES fronted by the incomparable
Shane MacGowan (1957-2023) released their 2nd longplayer, their five-star
masterwork, named RUM SODOMY & THE LASH on 5 August 1985, today
40 years ago.
The album’s title, suggested by drummer Andrew Ranken, who said “it seemed
to sum up life in our band”, is taken from a quotation attributed to Winston
Churchill: “Don’t talk to me about naval tradition. It’s nothing but rum, sodomy,
and the lash”.
It peaked at #13 in the UK
Elvis Costello who produced the album, said at the time: “My task was to capture
them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them
up.”
The cover artwork was based on a painting by Théodore Géricault, with the band members’ faces replacing those of the men on the raft painted by illustrator Peter Mennim.
NME said: “It’s a collection of free-ranging stuff to be sure; from the funereal
folk ballad to the near spaghetti-western instrumental, raucous celebration to
brown study, cheerful melody to downright strangeness.
It’s never sentimental, it’s rarely polite, and it’s certainly not ordinary. Rum Sodomy
and the Lash is more than the best record The Pogues could be expected to make at
this time. It’s more than a brilliant example of a band using its resources in an
imaginative manner. It’s probably the best LP of 1985.”
KEY SINGLES
ALBUM
13 October 2024
Séan MacGabhann / Shane MacGowan: SONGSMITH is a new book featuring
many previously unpublished images photographer by Pádraig O Flannabhra of
the late Pogues frontman who passed away last year in November, aged 65.
The book supports the UNICEF–United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, which helps Palestinian Children in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, who have to battle
hunger and pain to stay alive.
More info and order details here.
A large mural of the late legendary The Pogues singer/songwriter
SHANE MacGOWAN will be officially unveiled in his second hometown
of Nenagh in the county of Tipperary In Ireland next month.
Tipperary town-based artist Neil O’Dwyer started work on the mural several
weeks ago, but he said there was lots of work yet to be done before the
inauguration.
Large mural of Pogues singer Shane MacGowan to be unveiled in late singer’s second home Nenagh, Co Tipperary https://t.co/3Z7tkyDaq7
— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) August 26, 2024
13 May 2024
Last night imperishable big born in the USA rock shot BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN who is in the middle of (another) European tour opened their show in Kilkenny, Ireland with a tribute to the late great British-Irish songsmith Shane MacGowan who passed away last November, at the age of 65. Springsteen and his E-Street Band covered The Pogues‘ 1985 pearl RAINY DAY IN SOHO from their fabulous Rum Sodomy & The Lash LP.
WATCH/LISTEN
THE POGUES
The Boss: Instagram
23 December 2023
Oops.
The booze champion.
