The Pogues

JOHNNY DEPP SUPPORTS HIS ERRANT FRIENDS

Nice to hear that Johnny Depp is now a producer – he worked with documentary filmmaker Julien Temple on Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan. Fans of punk may recall Shane was led singer of The Pogues, most famous for “Fairytale of New York.” Johnny has always been drawn to overindulgent irresponsible characters like MacGowan, who is notorious for his struggles with heroin addiction and alcoholism. At one time, he was even kicked out of his own band for behaving badly. But his music is wonderful- incredibly touching and sensitive, loaded with Irish melancholy. Johnny appeared at the San Sebastian Film Festival to promote the documentary and said he enjoyed the scarcity of “Hollywood types” at the event.

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / September 20, 2020

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Shane MacGowan The Pogues

SAY GOODBYE TO THE POGUES

For some reason we’ve always had a weakness for The Pogues, and Shane MacGowan in particular. There’s something so melancholy and romantic about those Irish punk tunes like Dirty Old Town. We saw his last performance in Los Angeles a few years ago and now he says he’s retiring. The Pogues performed at Hyde Park to a cheering UK crowd this week but Shane wants to give it up. His battles with the bottle are legendary, and he was described as “pasty, slurring, and holding onto the microphone for dear life” at the show this week. Shane says this will probably be the band’s last appearance – “I’m 56 now and I want to start working out in the gym every day.”

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

By Janet / July 9, 2014

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Christmas Fairytale of New York Shane MacGowan The Pogues

CHRISTMAS WITH SHANE MACGOWAN

Speaking of Christmas songs, we were reminded by a Facebook friend that our favorite Shane MacGowan and The Pogues along with the late Kirsty McColl, created one of our all time favorites. “Fairytale of New York.” It’s not exactly cheerful but very emotional and touching…

By Janet / December 22, 2011

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Shane MacGowan St Patrick's Day The Pogues

ST PATRICK’S DAY WITH THE POGUES, OF COURSE

It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without The Pogues. The 80’s Irish punk band is performing in NYC for St Paddy’s and there’s no better way to celebrate. It’s a miracle the band is still together and sounds great. Shane MacGowan’s voice is raspier now, but we know most of the words, anyway. ”Dirty Old Town “ always brings tears to our eyes so we’re posting the rowdier “If I Should Fall From Grace With God.”

By Janet / March 16, 2011

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Johnny Depp Music Rock n Roll The Pogues

JOHNNY DEPP IS RECRUITING ROCK BANDS FOR HIS OWN LABEL

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Johnny Depp might be looking for YOU! According to The Sun, he’s starting his own record label called Unison Music and has a team scouting for talent – checking out up and coming bands in London’s dingy dives. It makes sense – Johnny has always been an aspiring rock musician – he was in a band when he got his first acting job and still plays music every chance he gets. He’s played guitar with Oasis on more than one recording and he collaborates with his pal Shane MacGowan of The Pogues.

By Janet / June 19, 2010

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Charity Haiti I Put A Spell On You Johnny Depp Shane MacGowan The Pogues

SHANE MACGOWAN, JOHNNY DEPP, AND FRIENDS PUT A SPELL ON YOU FOR A REASON

Now HERE’S a charity song you can sink your teeth into. Our insightful colleague Lisa Derrick at The Huffington Post obviously has a thing for Shane MacGowan like we do. She revealed that Shane gathered up some buddies including Johnny Depp, Nick Cave, and Chrissie Hynde, to record a new version of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ classic “I Put a Spell on You” to raise money for Haiti. It’s cool to see Shane and Johnny together again and the song is a lot less sappy than most fundraising songs – give it a listen. (By the way, what happened to Shane’s “new” teeth?)

By Janet / February 28, 2010

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Babybird Johnny Depp Shane MacGowan The Pogues

JOHNNY DEPP ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A MUSICIAN

(LOVE this old photo of Johnny and Shane!)

Johnny Depp is getting the itch to play guitar in a band again. He’s a huge fan of The Pogues Irish punk band and back in the 90’s he played with Shane MacGowan (whom he considers a poetic genius) in concert and on his solo album. Johnny was in a band when he arrived in Hollywood before he became an actor. His favorite British band is Babybird and apparently he’s secretly set to appear with them at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen in London on November 12. But since word leaked out, we predict SOMETHING will change.

By Janet / October 20, 2009

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Shane MacGowan Teeth The Pogues

THE POGUES' SHANE MACGOWAN HAS A NEW LOOK

Now this is what we call NEWS. Pogues singer Shane MacGowan got a new set of teeth! The frontman for the 80’s Irish punk band has long been renowned for his excessive drinking and lifestyle, resulting in numerous missing teeth. After many years, he realized his face was becoming distorted and spent a month in Spain having his dental damage corrected. In the UK, The Pogues were voted one of “50 bands you should see before you die.” We agree.

By Janet / May 16, 2009

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Amy Winehouse Babyshambles Pete Doherty Shane MacGowan The Pogues

AMY WINEHOUSE AND PETE DOHERTY: TWO OF A KIND OUT ON THE TOWN

Photo: SHOW
Amy Winehouse has found the perfect playmate in Pete Doherty. They both seem to be on the same all-night time schedule and prefer to take their meals at the corner convenience store. Not to mention the fact that both of them are recently out of jail. Pete made a successful comeback with his band Babyshambles on Wednesday night in London. Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan joined the band onstage to sing Dirty Old Town- we’d love to have been there. Afterward and the following night Amy and her new best friend were out on the town, Amy was apparently too distracted to notice that Pete’s fly was open.

By hoodlum / May 15, 2008

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Shane MacGowan The Pogues

THE POGUES ROCKED THE WILTERN THEATER

Last night LA’s Wiltern theater was packed with Pogues fans – many of them dressed like punks from the early 80’s. There were more than a few tartan kilts and an abundance of tattoos and Mohawks- on people of all ages. Irish whiskey and Guinness beer were the preferred beverages. The Irish group surprised the crowd by running onstage disguised as a Mariachi band with huge sombreros. Shane MacGowan was in decent shape (considering his self inflicted infirmities) and it was evident he is still ADORED by his hard drinking fans. He shuffled around the stage holding a drink and a cigarette (isn’t that illegal at the Wiltern?) and every time he spoke the crowd CHEERED although, due to his accent and slurring, he was impossible to understand. His voice is rough and powerful and not as easy to decipher as it was in the early video above. But he and his excellent band put on a strong two hour show that kept the mosh pit thumping. At the end everyone threw wigs and masks at the stage. They still love Shane! (Keep in mind those teeth are the result of socialized medicine.)

By hoodlum / November 1, 2007

7 Comments