The Pogues Live In Japan, October, 1988

[pogues22]

I just got done watching the Pogues live in Japan around 1988, after the release of If I Should Fall From Grace With God. The band was in truly top form, performing all the classics, such as Streams of Whiskey, The Broad Majestic Shannon, Thousands Are Sailing, and Turkish Song of the Damned. I love the fact that they played Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six live and even the undiscovered live instrumental Japan. This concert was held at the time the Pogues were at their commercial peak, however, they do turn in two cuts from the unrealeased Peace and Love; USA and Boat Train. Overall, a fantastic live show and one of many that proved that The Pogues were one of the most exciting live acts ever to grace God's green earth. Slainte!!!

[Irish Rover]

Overall, a fantastic live show and one of many that proved that The Pogues were one of the most exciting live acts ever to grace God's green earth.

I completely agree with you Pogues22. It was a truely great show, by a truely great band

[soulfinger]

Overall, a fantastic live show and one of many that proved that The Pogues were one of the most exciting live acts ever to grace God's green earth. Slainte!!!

Oi! Less of the "were" if you don't mind!

[pogues22]

Your right I should have said "are," being that I saw them on March 11, 2006 in Atlantic City, and it was hands down the best show I have ever seen.

[O'Blivion]

I just watched this GREAT show for the first time last night. The band is so together, although Spider's whistle goes a bit flat in places toward the end. I know nothing about the instrument - is it like a harp where you can blow reeds in mid-performance?
<br>
Although the music is amazing, the video itself (shot for Japanese TV, I reckon) features some of the most godawfully annoying 80's-style cheesy video effects I've ever seen, and the shots of rows of teenaged Japanese girls bouncing up and down while the band roars through "the Sickbed of Cuchulainn" left me with a bit of culture shock. How much of what was going on could they possibly have understood?
<br>
Ah, who cares? It's great, from beginning to end!

[philipchevron]

I just watched this GREAT show for the first time last night. The band is so together, although Spider's whistle goes a bit flat in places toward the end. I know nothing about the instrument - is it like a harp where you can blow reeds in mid-performance?
<br>
Although the music is amazing, the video itself (shot for Japanese TV, I reckon) features some of the most godawfully annoying 80's-style cheesy video effects I've ever seen, and the shots of rows of teenaged Japanese girls bouncing up and down while the band roars through "the Sickbed of Cuchulainn" left me with a bit of culture shock. How much of what was going on could they possibly have understood?
<br>
Ah, who cares? It's great, from beginning to end!

It may surprise you to learn that a whole NEW generation of Japanese fans now sings along, word perfect, when we play there. I have long believed that the connection people feel to the Pogues' music happens beyond the actual language we use.

[DzM]

It may surprise you to learn that a whole NEW generation of Japanese fans now sings along, word perfect, when we play there.

I saw some of them. These were happy people singing every word, understood or not.

I recall watching one young man, eyes closed, looking close to tears, singing along with Rainy Night In Soho (I think it was) as a typhoon was raging outside. Seemed somehow poignant.

Man - that was a great show. I'm really glad I was there.

[O'Blivion]

How much of what was going on could they possibly have understood?
<br>
Ah, who cares? It's great, from beginning to end!

It may surprise you to learn that a whole NEW generation of Japanese fans now sings along, word perfect, when we play there. I have long believed that the connection people feel to the Pogues' music happens beyond the actual language we use.

Oh, that doesn't surprise me a bit, Mr. Chevron. The greatness of the Pogues IS way beyond, and above, and beneath, and outside the barriers of language, and I'm positive that would extend to other planets. I'm afraid that my comment came out sounding a bit xenophobic, and I didn't intend that - I just meant that "Cuchulainn", in particular, is so rich in detail of a peculiarly Irish nature that I had to do a bit of research before I "got" the whole thing.
<br>
While we're on the subject of the greatness of the Pogues, let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for the recent tour. I caught the very last night in New York, and it was literally a dream come true.

[Behan]

I found a bootleg video of the Pogues live in Tokyo maybe it was that same one O'Blivion. I remember that Spider was sitting down the whole time with a Japanese flag tied around his head. I think he broke his leg. They did some Japanese style instrumental. One part I remember was some bloke in the front yelled out something like:"Shane! You're Ugly" and his reply I think was "Yeah I know mmmugh mmgh mmm hehehehe" They seem to love the music so much and to think, about 47 years earlier, they were bombing Pearl Harbor.

[philipchevron]

I found a bootleg video of the Pogues live in Tokyo maybe it was that same one O'Blivion. I remember that Spider was sitting down the whole time with a Japanese flag tied around his head. I think he broke his leg. They did some Japanese style instrumental. One part I remember was some bloke in the front yelled out something like:"Shane! You're Ugly" and his reply I think was "Yeah I know mmmugh mmgh mmm hehehehe" They seem to love the music so much and to think, about 47 years earlier, they were bombing Pearl Harbor.

There are at least two bootleg DVDs from Japan, both from official TV broadcasts. One is from October 1988 and the other is usually billed as Shane's Last Pogues Gig. The atmosphere is strikingly different.

[Behan]

I found a bootleg video of the Pogues live in Tokyo maybe it was that same one O'Blivion. I remember that Spider was sitting down the whole time with a Japanese flag tied around his head. I think he broke his leg. They did some Japanese style instrumental. One part I remember was some bloke in the front yelled out something like:"Shane! You're Ugly" and his reply I think was "Yeah I know mmmugh mmgh mmm hehehehe" They seem to love the music so much and to think, about 47 years earlier, they were bombing Pearl Harbor.

There are at least two bootleg DVDs from Japan, both from official TV broadcasts. One is from October 1988 and the other is usually billed as Shane's Last Pogues Gig. The atmosphere is strikingly different.

It was definately in the 1988 time period. The show started off with Battle March.

[O'Blivion]

One part I remember was some bloke in the front yelled out something like:"Shane! You're Ugly" and his reply I think was "Yeah I know mmmugh mmgh mmm hehehehe"

Shane thinks about it for a beat and then he says "It doesn't matter - I'm RICH."
<br>
Great stuff. Yes, it's the same one. 1988.

[Simon Maguire]

I found a bootleg video of the Pogues live in Tokyo maybe it was that same one O'Blivion. I remember that Spider was sitting down the whole time with a Japanese flag tied around his head. I think he broke his leg. They did some Japanese style instrumental. One part I remember was some bloke in the front yelled out something like:"Shane! You're Ugly" and his reply I think was "Yeah I know mmmugh mmgh mmm hehehehe" They seem to love the music so much and to think, about 47 years earlier, they were bombing Pearl Harbor.

I've watched part of that gig on you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwnxhBGo ... e%20pogues

I didn't know Spider broke his leg, I thought he was just being lazy, Anyone know how that happend?

[CM]

I just watched this GREAT show for the first time last night. The band is so together, although Spider's whistle goes a bit flat in places toward the end. I know nothing about the instrument - is it like a harp where you can blow reeds in mid-performance?
<br>
Although the music is amazing, the video itself (shot for Japanese TV, I reckon) features some of the most godawfully annoying 80's-style cheesy video effects I've ever seen, and the shots of rows of teenaged Japanese girls bouncing up and down while the band roars through "the Sickbed of Cuchulainn" left me with a bit of culture shock. How much of what was going on could they possibly have understood?
<br>
Ah, who cares? It's great, from beginning to end!

It may surprise you to learn that a whole NEW generation of Japanese fans now sings along, word perfect, when we play there. I have long believed that the connection people feel to the Pogues' music happens beyond the actual language we use.

I have to step in correct you there Philip .. the Japanese guy i was standing next too - he was one word short of word perfect. 'The island it is silent now, but the ghost still haunts the waves ... '----- so far so good ------ until ------- '... where lights don't grow on CHRISTMAS PIES!' These last two words yelled while punching the air.

In all seriousness tho I was amazed .. by the whole thing. In my ignorance, i thought it would be a thousand beer-bellied expats and a handful of curious locals. There were barely any expats. A dozen? The Japanese fans were fantastic.

[Mick Molloy]

The atmosphere is strikingly different.

Naaaaaaaaaaah do you think so?? The last show James quite amsued me with his like huge 'stagedive' (last song I think)