The Pogues

Amid the newly re-triggered controversy over the lyrics of Christmas classic ‘Fairytale of New York’, the song’s writer Shane MacGowan has said that he’d be “absolutely fine” with the word “faggot” being censored on the radio.

From time to time, debates have re-emerged as to the use of the word, sung by Kirsty MacColl in the 1987 Christmas hit for The Pogues and which has since become officially the most-played festive song of all time. The word “faggot” is rightly regarded as a homophobic slur in this day and age, but some have argued that the contemporary context of the song means the word should be interpreted as traditional Irish slang for a ‘lazy person’.

This week, RTE 2FM presenter Eoghan McDermott tweeted to object to the word, which he condemned as a “slur” and “insult”, while his colleague Stephen Byrne revealed how he felt when he heard it played in a club.

Continue reading: Shane MacGowan Says He's "Fine" With 'Fairytale Of New York' Censorship

U2 posted a picture of their lively Dublin crowd on Saturday night (22.07.17) - but the photo stood out due to one fan.

The Irish rockers - made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. - took to their Twitter to upload the image of their 80,000 capacity crowd at Croke Park, but didn't spot one guy in the front row flicking them an inoffensive two-fingered gesture.

U2 captioned their picture: ''Full house tonight. #U2 #croker #dublin #U2TheJoshuaTree2017 (sic)''

Continue reading: U2 Fan Stands Out In Crowd Post

For decades Shane MacGowan has been famous for his less than pearly smile, but now The Pogues’ singer is a new man with a whole new set of teeth. MacGowan treated himself to a new set of gnashers this Christmas and chronicled the whole journey in the Sky Arts documentary, 'Shane MacGowan: A Wreck Reborn'.

Shane MacGowan has got himself a new set of teeth for Christmas.

Over the course of six months MacGowan attended numerous consultations before undergoing six operations to achieve his new smile. The frontman’s dental issues were caused by years of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as constant fighting and he lost his last natural tooth seven years ago.

Continue reading: The Pogues Frontman Shane MacGowan Gets New Teeth For Christmas

The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan is recovering after breaking his pelvis last Wednesday (August 25th). The 57 year old was reportedly rushed to hospital after a fall, according to The Irish Mirror, with his partner Victoria Mary Clarke confirming the news and adding that Shane had been doing ‘a complicated dance move’ before the accident.

Shane McGowan is recovering after breaking his pelvis.

On twitter Clarke wrote, "Just to say thanks to everyone who sent messages to #shanemacgowan he is grateful! Cranky, but recovering! Fell and broke his pelvis”. Then when another user asked what had happened Clarke replied that Shane had ‘broke his pelvis doing a complicated dance move!’

Continue reading: Shane MacGowan Breaks His Pelvis After Performing 'Complicated Dance Move'

The myriad polls of Christmas pop music tend to throw up the same results year in year out, with the “nation’s favourite” usually turning out to be as predictable as the contents of supermarket crackers.

But, according to music licensing body PPL, The Pogues ‘A Fairytale of New York’ is the most played Christmas song of the century. Its popularity is beyond contestation, being present in the Christmas UK Top 20 singles in seven different years since its release, including 2014.

'A Fairytale Of New York', written by Shane McGowan (above), is the most played Christmas pop song ever.

Continue reading: 'A Fairytale Of New York' Is The Most Played Christmas Pop Song Ever

A Pogues fan is trying to get in contact with the man who may have saved his life at a gig on July 5. When Andrew Plank collapsed with a heart attack while watching the Celtic punk-rock legends played in Hyde Park, he probably didn’t expect a fellow audience member to leap to his assistance.

Shane MacGowen of The Pogues performs at Hyde Part as part of the British Summertime Festival (Getty 2014/Tristan Fewings)

But, luckily for Mr. Plank, he was in the vicinity of a CPR-trained Pogues fan; one, who despite the raucous atmosphere, was sharp enough to administer the treatment that in all probability saved his life.  

Continue reading: Did You Save A Man's Life At A Pogues Gig?

The Libertines' first reunion gig on English soil got off to a rocky start when overzealous fans surged towards the stage whilst the band performed at the British Summer Time gig in Hyde Park, London. This is the first time in four years the group has performed in the capital and their appearance has been praised by critics.

Pete Doherty performing with The Libertines in Glasgow last week.

Read More: The Libertines Reunited For Hit Laden Hyde Park Warm Up In Glasgow.

Continue reading: The Libertines' Highly Praised Hyde Park Gig Interrupted By Surging Fans

Has there ever been a better sing-a-long band than The Pogues? Probably not, and you can bet there’ll be many a drink raised and many a sing-a-long sung tonight as the news that the band’s guitarist Philip Chevron lost his battle with cancer, dying aged 56.

Paul Chevron will be missed by The Pogues and their fans

A statement posted on The Pogues' website said: "After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning. We all send our sincere condolences to his family." Chevron joined the band on a temporary basis after their debut album, but his value was clearly felt, and he was a permanent member by the time the band got round to their second album.

Continue reading: Gone But Never Forgotten, Philip Chevron Leaves Legendary Pogues Behind In His Passing

Philip Chevron, guitarist with The Pogues, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. The group confirmed the loss with a statement on their website reading "After a long illness Philip passed away peacefully this morning. We all send our sincere condolences to his family."

Talented Musician Philip Chevron Has Passed Away.

Just 56 when he passed away yesterday (8th October), Chevron was first treated for cancer in 2007 and was given the all-clear. However, the tumour returned this year and Chevron was told that it was too risky to operate. Chevron, AKA Philip Ryan, had performed with influential Irish punk band The Pogues since 1984.

Continue reading: Pogues Guitarist Philip Chevron Dies Of Cancer, Aged 56

The guitarist for The Pogues, Phil Chevron, has tragically passed away following a long-fought battle with cancer. The 56-year-old was initially led to believe, after intensive treatment, that his illness had subsided last year, but sadly the cancer returned and in his weakened state his battle with the disease was fatal this time. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

Phil Chevron was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007

Chevron was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2007 and almost immediately began treatment for the illness, treatment that in 2012 was at last deemed successful and Chevron was told that his chances of surviving were significant. Four months later, during a routine check-up, doctors discovered that he had developed new tumours in his head and neck, prompting the guitarist to tell his fans that this time he won't be so lucky with the treatment. Because one of the tumours had grown too close to his brain, treatment on them was impossible and he was told that his doctors had done everything they could for him.

Continue reading: The Pogues Guitarist Phil Chevron Loses Battle With Cancer