The POGUES

An early Dublin broadcast from the mighty Pogues.

Founded in Kings Cross, London in 1982, as ‘Pogue Mahone’ – the anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic póg mo thóin, meaning ‘kiss my arse’, The Pogues reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s, recording several hit albums and singles. Their politically tinged music was informed by lead vocalist and main songwriter Shane MacGowan’s punk background, yet used traditional Irish instruments such as the tin whistle, banjo, cittern, mandolin and accordion.

The future members of the Pogues first met when MacGowan, Peter "Spider" Stacy (tin whistle), and Jem Finer (banjo) were together in an occasional band called The Millwall Chainsaws in the late 1970s - after MacGowan and Stacy met in the toilets at a Ramones gig at The Roundhouse in 1977. They came to the attention of the media and Stiff Records when they opened for The Clash on their 1984 tour. Shortening their name to The Pogues they released their first album, Red Roses for Me, on Stiff Records that October. By early 1985, the band were playing sporadic concerts across the UK, and in June that year they performed at the Glastonbury Festival. On March 1st ’85, they played their first show in Ireland, at the iconic Dublin venue, McGonagle’s.

This spectacular early gig for the band was recorded for live radio broadcast across the emerald isle, but has not before been available on vinyl. That all changes with this enticing new 2LP set which proudly presents this exceptional Pogues concert in its entirety.