Original Pogues members Spider Stacy and James Fearnley will join us to answer reader questions ahead of the band's greatest hits tour around the UK this autumn. The tour kicks off on 28 November and promises a "superlative collection of special guest musicians and singers, among them the cream of the current generation of Irish artists".
Band's resilience after MacGowan's death
When Shane MacGowan died in 2023, questions arose over whether the Pogues could continue without such a singular frontman, especially as the band had been dormant since 2014. However, grounded by original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, the Pogues have played hugely acclaimed reunion gigs in recent years with various guests sitting in for MacGowan.
The band's history stretches back to the late 70s when MacGowan, Stacy and Finer played together in London. Fearnley was a member of MacGowan's punk band the Nips. The Pogues formed in 1982, investing the traditional music of their Irish heritage with the energy of the city's punk scene.
Career highlights and reunion success
They released debut album Red Roses for Me in 1984, and the following year's Rum Sodomy & the Lash took them into the UK Top 20. In 1987 came Fairytale of New York, their eternally popular Christmas song. MacGowan was fired from the group in 1991, with Joe Strummer stepping in for a time before being replaced by Stacy. The band continued for another couple of albums before splitting in 1996.
There have been no more studio albums, but the Pogues reformed in 2001 and played on and off until 2014. After MacGowan's death, the richness of the band's catalogue and the originality of their takes on Irish folk standards was brought into renewed relief. Concerts celebrating 40 years since Red Roses for Me were warmly received, with the Guardian's Patrick Clarke saying in a five-star review of a London date: "It could so easily have been a pale imitation, glorified karaoke. And yet, it's utterly triumphant."
How to submit questions
Fearnley and Stacy will answer questions about the band's history and future before the tour begins. Questions can be posted in the comments below before 4pm BST on Monday 28 September, and their answers will be published later in the week.
