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The Pogues were a highly influential British band formed in London, renowned for fusing traditional Irish music with the raw energy of punk rock.Formed in Kings Cross, London in 1982 by Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, and Jem Finer, The Pogues quickly gained notoriety for their raucous live shows and unique sound. They released several critically acclaimed albums throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, including 'Rum Sodomy & the Lash' and 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God', featuring the iconic Christmas duet 'Fairytale of New York'. Internal tensions, primarily linked to MacGowan's struggles, led to his departure in 1991. The band continued briefly before disbanding in 1996, though they reunited for periodic tours between 2001 and 2014.

• The band's original name, 'Pogue Mahone', is an anglicisation of the Irish phrase 'póg mo thóin', meaning 'kiss my arse'. Pressure from the BBC led them to shorten it to 'The Pogues'.
• Frontman Shane MacGowan became notorious for his heavy drinking and chaotic stage presence. His unreliability and worsening alcoholism eventually led to his firing from the band he co-founded in 1991, during a US tour. Joe Strummer of The Clash temporarily replaced him.
• Despite their breakup in 1996, The Pogues reformed for reunion tours starting in 2001, largely driven by fan demand. These tours were hugely successful but ceased after 2014.
• Shane MacGowan's health significantly declined in later years. He died on 30 November 2023 from pneumonia and other complications, shortly after being discharged from hospital. His funeral in Ireland was a major public event.
• Their song 'Fairytale of New York', featuring Kirsty MacColl, is consistently voted one of the greatest Christmas songs ever recorded in the UK, though its lyrics have occasionally sparked controversy.