Poguetry in motion

Brace yourself for the mother of all Christmas hooleys when The Pogues regroup for a December 20th show at The Point.

It’s very much the Real McCoy, with Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, Spider Stacey, Terry Woods, Philip Chevron, Darryl Hunt, Andrew Rankin and James Fernly all present and correct.

“If somebody had suggested to me six months ago that I’d be playing again, I’d have said ‘You must be joking!’” reflects the boy Woods. “It started with a telephone call from Shane about another project he had in mind. I was a bit reluctant at first, but anyway, we met up for a bit of a jam and, blow me, it felt really good. The next thing I know, I’m putting together my own group, The Woods Band, who I’m looking to take out next year on the festival circuit.”

Appetite for performing restored, Terry was receptive to the idea of a Pogues reunion when it was suggested by a third-party.

“We’ve had numerous big money offers over the years to put The Pogues back together, all of which were rejected because the timing and circumstances weren’t right,” he continues. “Now that we’ve had, what, 10 years to put our lives in order, I think we’re ready for a last hurrah. Or possibly a bit more than that if the chemistry’s still there.”

According to Woods, there’s been a collective cleaning-up of The Pogues act.

“Shane’s more together now than he has been in an age, and the rest of us are healthier than maybe we have a right to be. The real tragedy is how many of the crew are either seriously ill or dead. I think the discipline of having to function in the studio and on stage kept the rest of us alive.”

The Pogues’ festive get together also takes in the Apollo, Manchester (December 16th); SECC, Glasgow (17th); Academy, Birmingham (18th); and the Brixton Academy, London (21st & 22nd).