The songs in The Pogues are more vibrant than their authors, writes Ilkka Mattila, HS’s music editor.
Summer 1986 Provinssirock was a great success. The audience came twice as much as the organizers had expected, and so many tickets were sold at the gate that the organizers had to carry money to the bank in garbage bags.
Foreign star performers were also the elite of British rock in the mid-1980s: Fine Young Cannibals, Big Country, The Cult and The Pogues.
Everyone has left their mark on people’s memories, but perhaps the strongest atmosphere of the time was represented by The Pogues, who plays Irish-rooted folk punk and had more alcohol in the back room than any other band throughout the festival.
There was a time when the authorities’ tight grip on drinking was gradually easing, and the pressure to drink more liberally and happily was strong, especially among those born in the 1960s.
The boisterous The Pogues was the perfect band to accompany this utopia. Still quite drunk drunk was able to sing Sally MacLennanen chorus “sad to say I must be on my way / so buy me beer and whiskey‘ cause I’m going far away ”.
The Pogues broke up since then, but over the years their songs have survived because under the romantic romance they had strong and tragic stories. Fairytale of New York even became a contemporary Christmas carol classic.
The essence of the band was condensed into a singer and songwriter Shane to MacGowan. To an almost toothless and barren-looking skinny hops whose words were hard to figure out. And who drew a lot of liquor.
A documentary that recently arrived at Yle Areena Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan seems to be just approaching retirement age Shane, who moves in a wheelchair and can no longer sit up straight. His speech is slow and his peculiar laughter is no longer a muffled noise.
Shane is an indisputable example of what constant drinking and drug use can do for a person. However, the documentary highlights that within this irwingoodman of his time, there has been a unique songwriter and poet from the beginning, whose bond to his family, Irish culture, religion and rebellion was an important and driving force.
Many have ended up in the grave years ago because of similar lifestyles, but Shane MacGowan says she wants to live long. Admittedly, the opponent has a tight grip.
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