The Popes are a band originally formed by
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born 25 December 1957) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and Shane MacGo ...
(of
the Pogues
The Pogues were an English or Anglo-Irish Celtic punk band fronted by Shane MacGowan and others, founded in Kings Cross, London in 1982, as "Pogue Mahone" – the anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic ''póg mo thóin'', meaning "kiss my arse". T ...
) and Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness, who play a blend of rock,
Irish folk
Irish traditional music (also known as Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland.
In ''A History of Irish Music'' (1905), W. H. Grattan Flood wrote that, in Gaelic Ireland, there we ...
and Americana.
Shane MacGowan and The Popes released two studio and one live album in the 1990s, performing live together until 2005. During this era, The Popes also recorded and gigged on their own until 2006. At the end of 2006, guitarist Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness reformed the band with a new line up and leads it to this day.
History
1992–1998: Shane MacGowan and The Popes
After departing
the Pogues
The Pogues were an English or Anglo-Irish Celtic punk band fronted by Shane MacGowan and others, founded in Kings Cross, London in 1982, as "Pogue Mahone" – the anglicisation of the Irish Gaelic ''póg mo thóin'', meaning "kiss my arse". T ...
, singer
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan (born 25 December 1957) is an Irish singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and Shane MacGo ...
put together a new band, started with a group of people from the Pogues' extended family including Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness and Tommy McManamon.
McGuinness and Tom Gerry McManamon formed the core of the band, on guitar and tenor banjo respectively. Soundman Dave Jordon and road manager Big Charlie MacLennan also followed MacGowan to the Popes. Joining them were guitarist Mo O'Hagan and bass player Bernie France, who had both played with MacGowan in a short-lived group called the London Contemporary Five (France was also an old friend and one-time teenage bandmate of MacGowan's, in the group
Hot Dogs With Everything
Hot or the acronym HOT may refer to:
Food and drink
*Pungency, in food, a spicy or hot quality
*Hot, a wine tasting descriptor
Places
* Hot district, a district of Chiang Mai province, Thailand
**Hot subdistrict, a sub-district of Hot Distric ...
).
Ex-
Exploited and
Boothill Foot Tappers
The Boothill Foot Tappers was a British folk/skiffle/ bluegrass band that was formed in 1982 and associated with the folk music revival in the United Kingdom.
They were featured in the Ben Elton- presented show ''South of Watford'' on London We ...
drummer Danny Heatly and whistle player Colm O'Maonlai rounded out the original group.
It was this lineup that Johnny Depp joined appearing with them on ''
Top of the Pops
''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
'' and other music shows. He directed and appeared in the video of "That Woman's Got Me Drinking".
Of this initial line-up, only McGuinness and McManamon would last the entirety of Shane MacGowan's tenure with the group. France was replaced by Bob Dowling on bass, Heatley left later, to be replaced by Andy Ireland.
1998–2006: The Popes
As well as backing MacGowan both live and on his solo albums, the McGuinness–McManamon incarnation of The Popes recorded a few singles and one studio album, ''Holloway Boulevard'', released in March 2000. A live album, ''Release The Beast (Live in London 2003)'', followed in 2004.
Producer and sound man Dave Jordan died of a heroin overdose in Paris while on the road with the band in March 1995,
followed in October 1996 by Charlie MacLennan, who died of a drug-induced heart attack.
Ten years later, the long battle with illness from liver disease and subsequent death on 15 December 2006 of founding member Tom McManamon (born on 30 May 1961 in
London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
,
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
) would put an end to Shane MacGowan and The Popes.
The Popes played their final show with MacGowan on 17 March 2005, and had disintegrated by the time of McManamon's death in December 2006.
2006–present: The Popes reformed
Following the death of banjo player Tommy McManamon at the end of 2006, Paul McGuinness reformed The Popes with a new album in the works and a new line-up including Charlie Hoskyns (Lisa Knapp, Badly Mixed Bastards) on guitar, Will Morrison (Here be Dragons, Lisa Knapp) on drums, Laurie Norwood on bass and Ben Gunnery on fiddle.
The album was eventually released in 2009 as ''
Outlaw Heaven'', featuring Fiachra Shanks on banjo and Shane MacGowan as a guest vocalist on three songs, with
Pogue
Pogue is American pejorative military slang for non-infantry MOS (military occupational specialty) staff, and other rear-echelon or support units.
History and etymology
The term was used as early as the First World War by US Marines to refer t ...
Spider Stacy joining MacGowan and McGuinness on vocals on the title track.
The line-up changed once again with the arrival of Jim McAllister on bass, Dave Allen on fiddle and Whiskey Mick Rowan on mandolin.
The band toured internationally before releasing a follow-up in 2012, ''New Church''. The album was followed by another tour including dates opening for
The Stranglers
The Stranglers are an English rock band who emerged via the punk rock scene. Scoring 23 UK top 40 singles and 19 UK top 40 albums to date in a career spanning five decades, the Stranglers are one of the longest-surviving bands to have origina ...
. Shortly after the release of ''New Church'', Charlie Hoskyns left the band and was replaced by
Ian Bramble on guitar and backing vocals. Jim McAllister also left the band and was replaced by Greg Courtney on bass.
During 2012 and 2013, this lineup of The Popes toured extensively in Europe and Australia. A new album with new material written by Paul McGuinness and the new line-up, and previous material telling the story of The Popes, was planned for 2014, although the band has been on an extended hiatus due to a brain injury suffered by McGuinness in November 2013 (see the next section below).
Later Activities
A memorial for McManamon in March 2007 saw Bob Dowling, Andy Ireland, and Brian Kelly reunite as The Popes, joined by Miriam Kavana and Denis Dowling.
Accordion player Andy Nolan went on to
The BibleCode Sundays
The London-based The BibleCode Sundays are a band often described as Celtic rock, folk music or rock music. Their sound fuses influences from a mixture of traditional Irish instruments and contemporary rock back line.
History
The band was or ...
.
Banjo player Brian Kelly went on to
Creeds Cross
A creed, also known as a confession of faith, a symbol, or a statement of faith, is a statement of the shared beliefs of a community (often a religious community) in a form which is structured by subjects which summarize its core tenets.
The ea ...
, and released two instrumental records under his own name.
Violinist Dave Allen and guitarist Ian Bramble released a Christmas song and an album with
John Coghlan.
Drummer Will Morrison has played in Welsh band Here Be Dragons.
In November 2013, Paul McGuinness suffered a serious head injury that left him hospitalized for months. As of 8 June 2014, he was still residing in the brain injury rehabilitation unit at
Homerton Hospital
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is an NHS foundation trust based in London, England, which runs Homerton University Hospital.
History
The trust was established as Homerton Hospital NHS Trust on 24 December 1994, and became operation ...
.
Personnel
Current members
* Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness – Guitar, vocals (1993–present)
* Ian Bramble – Guitar, vocals (2012–present)
* Will Morrison – Drums (2006–present)
* Greg Courtney – Bass, vocals (2012–present)
* Dave Allen – Fiddle, mandolin, vocals (2009–present)
* Whiskey Mick Rowan – Mandolin, vocals (2009–present)
Former members
* Tom "The Beast" McManamon, aka "Tom McAnimal" – tenor banjo (1993–2006)
* Danny Heatley, aka "Danny Pope" – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1993–1998)
* Bernie "The Undertaker" France – bass, vocals (1993–1996)
* Kieran "Mo" O'Hagan – guitar, backing vocals (1993–1994)
* Leeson O'Keeffe – lead guitar, 5-string banjo, backing vocals (1993-1994) (live only)
* Colm O'Maonlai – whistles (1993–1994)
* Paul Conlon – whistle (1994–1995) (live only)
* John "The Riddler" Myers – fiddle, whistle, guitar (1995–1998)
* Bob "Lucky" Dowling – bass, backing vocals (1996–2006)
* "Slimy" Kieran Kiely – accordion, whistle, backing vocals (1995–1999)
* Andy "Reg" Ireland – drums, percussion (1998–2006)
* Andy Nolan – accordion, ? (1999–?)
* Mick O'Connel – accordion, ? (?–2002)
* Brian Kelly – tenor banjo (??–??)
* Mirian Kavana – fiddle (??–??)
* Charlie Hoskyns – Guitars and Backing Vocals (2006–2012)
* Gerry Diver – Fiddle & Banjo (2006–?)
* Laurie Norwood – bass (2006–?)
* Ben Gunnery – violin, mandolin (2006–?)
* Fiachra Shanks – tenor banjo, mandolin, guitar (2009?)
* Jim McAllister – Bass and Backing Vocals (2009–2012)
* Leeson O'Keeffe – lead guitar, 5-string banjo, backing vocals (1993–94) (touring only)
Associated musicians
*
Brian "Robo" Robertson – guest guitar (
The Snake), producer (''Christmas Party E.P. '96'', ''My Way'')
* Dave Jordan – producer (''Church of the Holy Spook'' EP,
The Snake), live sound
*
Ed Deane
Edmund John 'Ed' Deane (born 18 November 1952 in Dublin) is an Irish guitarist with a career spanning six decades, from the late 1960s to the present day. He is a blues musician, playing the electric and acoustic guitar, and specialising in Sli ...
– lap steel & Spanish guitar on
The Crock of Gold; occasional live performance
*
Gerry Diver
Gerry is both a surname and a masculine or feminine given name. As a given name, it is often a short form (hypocorism) of Gerard, Gerald or Geraldine. Notable people with the name include:
Surname
* Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814), fifth US vice pre ...
– fiddles on ''Outlaw Heaven'' and ''New Church''
* Joey Cashman – manager, occasional whistle (live)
*
Johnny Depp
John Christopher Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor and musician. He is the recipient of multiple accolades, including a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for three Academy Award ...
– guest guitar ("That Woman's Got Me Drinking"), plus some live promo performances (including
Top of the Pops
''Top of the Pops'' (''TOTP'') is a British Record chart, music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly between 1January 1964 and 30 July 2006. The programme was the world's longest-running weekly music show ...
), director (video for "That Woman's Got Me Drinking").
*
Ron Kavana
Ron Kavana (born 25 December 1950) is an Irish singer, songwriter, guitarist and band leader. Born in the County Cork town of Fermoy, he is the son of an Irish father and an American mother from Chicago with Cajun roots.
Performing with a len ...
– member of an early line-up, played guitar on "Haunted", wrote melody for "Snake With Eyes of Garnet"
* Sarge O'Hara – piano, producer, co-wrote "Sleepless Nights"
* Siobhan MacGowan – Shane's sister, occasional duet part on "Fairytale of New York" (live), backing vocals (live)
*
Spider Stacy
Peter Richard "Spider" Stacy (born 14 December 1958, Eastbourne) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known for playing tin whistle and sometimes singing for The Pogues.
Early life
Stacy left school at 16 after fa ...
– guest whistle (
The Snake), guest vocals (''Holloway Boulevard''), whistle on some live dates in 1998
* Teressa MacGowan – Shane's mother, occasional duet part on "Fairytale of New York" (live) (''Across the Broad Atlantic'')
Discography
Albums
As Shane MacGowan & The Popes
* ''
The Snake'' (October 1994)
(studio #1)
* ''
The Crock of Gold'' (October 1997)
(studio #2)
* ''The Rare Oul' Stuff'' (2001 / January 2002)
(a 2-disc best-of collection of B-sides and key album tracks spanning the years 1994 to 1998)
* ''Across the Broad Atlantic: Live on Paddy's Day – New York and
Dublin
Dublin (; , or ) is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. On a bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of th ...
'' (February 2002)
(live #1)
As The Popes
* ''Holloway Boulevard'' (March 2000)
(studio #3; including three tracks written by Shane MacGowan)
* ''Release the Beast (Live in London 2003)'' (August 2004)
(live #2; a two-disc set including a live album recorded in 2003 at The Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre in London
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...
as disc 1 and a re-release of ''Holloway Boulevard'' as disc 2)
* ''
Outlaw Heaven'' (May 2009)
(studio #4; including special guest Shane MacGowan on three tracks)
* ''New Church'' (March 2012)
(studio #5)
EPs
As Shane MacGowan & The Popes
* ''The Church of the Holy Spook'' (1994)
* ''My Way'' (1996)
* ''Christmas Party EP'' (1996)
As The Popes
* ''Are You Looking at Me?'' (1998)
DVDs
As Shane MacGowan & The Popes
* ''Live at Montreux 1995'' (November 2004)
References
External links
Official Shane MacGowan websiteThe Popes official websiteThe Brian Whelan official website
{{Authority control
Irish rock music groups
Celtic punk groups