Shane MacGowan And The Popes
The Popes is a band formerly led by Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, who played a blend of rock, and Irish folk, sometimes referred to as Paddy Beat, borrowing from World Beat, a popular genre name in the 1980s. Shane MacGowan and the Popes released two studio and one live album in the 1990s. As well as serving as MacGowan's backing band, The Popes recorded one studio and one live album without MacGowan, and have toured on their own.
The band's line up has changed through the years. Members have included Paul 'Mad Dog' McGuinness (guitar), Tom McManamon (banjo), Andy Ireland (drums, vocals), and Bob Dowling (bass). Past members have included Gerry Diver (fiddle), Mick O'Connell (accordion), Kieran "Mo" O'Hagan (Acoustic guitar, vocals), John Myers (fiddle, tin whistle), Danny Heatley (aka Danny Pope) (drums), Berni "The Undertaker" France (bass), Colm O'Maonlai (whistle), and Kieran Kiely (accordion, whistle). Long-time friend of McGowan, Johnny Depp joined to promote the single, 'That Woman's Got Me Drinking' in October 1994. Depp played guitar on the track, directed and appeared in the video, and made a string of appearances with Shane.
In March 2007, several former members appeared as The Popes at a memorial concert for Tom McManamon. Meanwhile, guitarist McGuinness had already announced a new line up with a new album in the works. The "new" Popes are Paul McGuinness on guitar and vocals, Will Morrison on drums, Charlie Hoskyns on guitar, Fiachra Shanks on banjo, mandolin, Laurie Norwood on bass, and Ben Gunnery on fiddle. This line-up has recorded a new album called 'Outlaw Heaven' that was mixed by Chris Brown (Radiohead, etc.). The album was released in May 2009.
In May 2007, the remaining members of the old band announced that they were reforming, calling themselves The Electric Popes. These include: Bob Dowling on bass, Andy Ireland on drums, Brian Kelly on mandolin and Denis Dowling.
As of April 2011, members of The Popes include:
- Paul Maddog McGuinness – Guitar, vocals
- Charlie Hoskyns – Guitar, vocals
- Will Morrison – Drums
- Jim McAllister – Bass, vocals
- Dave Allen – Fiddle, vocals
- Whiskey Mick – Mandolin, vocals
Read more about Shane MacGowan And The Popes: Tom McManamon
Famous quotes containing the words shane and/or popes:
“I swear by the mighty power of Amon-Ra, whose anger can shatter the world, and by the dread power of Set, that I will never betray my trust as High Priest of Karnak.”
—Griffin Jay, Maxwell Shane (1905–1983)
““Mother” is the first word that occurs to politicians and columnists and popes when they raise the question, “Why isn’t life turning out the way we want it?””
—Mary Kay Blakely (20th century)