The Pogues

The Pogues

Redadeg (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons

The Pogues are an English Celtic punk band established in London in 1982 by Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, and Jem Finer. Blending Irish traditional music with punk rock aesthetics, the group developed a distinctive sound that became central to the Celtic punk genre. Originally operating under the name Pogue Mahone—derived from an Irish phrase—the ensemble expanded to include musicians such as James Fearnley and Cait O'Riordan. The band gained prominence through energetic performances in London's pub and club venues. Active until 2014, the Pogues left a lasting influence on folk and punk music.