Pogues in Berlin - Interview with Spider (Tagesspiegel)

[Alex]

The Pogues in der Zitadelle
02.08.2010
http://www.tagesspiegel.de/berlin/the-pogues-in-der-zitadelle/1895282.html


Früher waren die acht Jungs vor allem für ihre Trinkerei auf der Bühne bekannt. Das hat sich gehörig geändert. Einige der smarten Punkrocker rühren heute keinen Tropfen mehr an. Am Dienstag kommen The Pogues nach Spandau.

Sie treiben sich da rum, wo der Whiskey in Strömen fließt. Das jedenfalls lassen ihre Lieder vermuten. The Pogues singen von Alkohol und Besäufnissen, aber auch vom Schicksal irischer Auswanderer. Die Songs der acht Iren, Engländer und Schotten stammen aus den 80ern und 90ern, damals waren sie die Begründer des irischen Folk-Punks. Heute sind die Rocker Mitte 50 und gar nicht mehr so trinkfest: dem Alkohol haben manche entsagt. Am Dienstag kommen sie nach Spandau und spielen in der Zitadelle.

In über 25 Jahren auf der Bühne ist es erst das zweite Konzert der Band in Berlin. 1985 kamen sie erstmals in die Stadt, Erinnerungen an damals sind verschwommen. Sänger und Flötist Peter „Spider“ Stacy erinnert sich an Ärger mit Neonazis und an einen Ledermantel, den er sich besorgt hatte. Dem verpasste er den Namen Wolfgang, doch Wolfgangs Schicksal ist ungeklärt. Viel mehr kennt der Engländer nicht von Berlin und Deutschland. Kraftwerk und die Toten Hosen sind ihm noch ein Begriff, und in der Kneipe müssen wenige deutsche Wörter zur Verständigung reichen: „Haben Sie ein alkoholfreies Bier, bitte.“ Stacy und die meisten Bandmitglieder trinken seit Jahren keinen Alkohol mehr.

Stacy ist es leid, dass die Pogues von vielen auf Trinklieder reduziert werden. „Shanes Songs sind Lieder vom Leben und den Menschen, vom Zustand der Menschheit, sie handeln nicht nur vom Abhängen in Bars“, sagt er. Shane MacGowan ist Gründungsmitglied und Sänger der Pogues. Lücken im Gebiss besorgten dem Iren den Spitznamen „der Mann mit vielen Worten und wenig Zähnen“. In den 80er Jahren war er nicht selten zu betrunken, um aufzutreten. 1991 flog er aus der Band, nachdem er bei einem Konzert in Tokio zusammenbrach. Fünf Jahre später folgte die Auflösung, weitere fünf Jahre danach die Wiedervereinigung – ohne MacGowan war die Band erfolglos. Als der chaotische Sänger zurückkam, schien dessen Lebensweise unverändert. Zu Proben kam er zu spät, und noch heute hofft die Band, dass er zu den Konzerten überhaupt auftaucht. Meist geschieht das in letzter Minute. Rausschmeißen würden ihn die Pogues trotzdem nicht mehr. „Das war schrecklich“, sagt Stacy, „eine Band sollte wie eine Gang sein und zusammenhalten.“

Gegründet hatte sich die Gruppe unter dem Namen Pogue Mahone. Doch weil kaum ein Radiosender die Musik einer Band spielen wollte, deren Name übersetzt „Küss meinen Arsch“ lautete, taufte sie sich um. Heute kommen längst nicht nur alteingesessene Fans zu den Konzerten. „Es ist nicht so, dass wir nur vor einem Haufen alter Leute mit langen Haaren spielen, die uns seit den 80ern hören“, meint Stacy. Obwohl längst kein neues Album mehr erschienen ist und Stacy den Hoffnungen auf neue Songs eine Absage erteilt, kommen die Folkpunker auch bei Leuten weit unter der eigenen Altersklasse an. Die Whiskeyströme sind schuld, das Image füllt noch heute Konzertsäle. Das weiß auch Stacy: „Die Leute kommen zu den Shows, weil wir einen gewissen Ruf haben.“ Der soll auf der Bühne dann auch bedient werden. Danach gibt es für Stacy eine Zigarette, dann fährt er ins Hotel. „Die Zeit der wilden Feierei ist vorbei.“

The Pogues, Dienstag, Zitadelle Spandau, Beginn 18.30 Uhr, Tickets ab 38 Euro

[Funkfuzzi]

Nice one. Thanks for sharing !

[Uwe from Berlin]

Here's what German "Radio Eins" had to say:
http://www.radioeins.de/programm/progra ... ieder.html

[Clash Cadillac]

Translation by Babel Fish...

In former times the eight boys were particularly well-known for their Trinkerei on the stage. That changed duly. Some the smarten Punkrocker touch today no more drops. On Tuesday The Pogues come to Spandau. They drive themselves rum, where the Whiskey flows in rivers. Their songs anyhow let that assume. The Pogues sing from alcohol and Besäufnissen, in addition, from the fate of Irish emigrants. Song of the eight Irish, Englishmen and Scots they originate the founders of the Irish Folk Punks from the 80ern and 90ern, at that time were. Today the Rocker is center 50 and no longer like that drinking bout: some renounced the alcohol. On Tuesday they come to Spandau and play in the citadel. In over 25 years on the stage it is only the second concert that volume in Berlin. 1985 came it for the first time into the city, memories on at that time is blurred. Singer and Flötist Peter „Spider “Stacy remember annoyance with neo-Nazis and a leather coat, which he had procured himself. It gave the name Wolfgang to that, but wolf course fate is unsettled. Much more does not know the Englishman from Berlin and Germany. Power station and the dead trousers are it still another term, and in the tavern few German words must be enough for the communication: „Credit you an alcohol-free beer, asks. “Stacy and most volume members drink no more alcohol for years. Stacy is it suffering that the Pogues is reduced by many to drinking songs. „Shanes of song are songs of the life and humans, of the condition of mankind, them act only of slopes in bar “, do not say it. Shane MacGowan is initial member and singer of the Pogues. Gaps in the dentures procured the nickname to the Irish „the man with many words and few teeth “. In the 80's it was pretty often too drunk, in order to arise. 1991 it flew volume from that, after it broke down with a concert in Tokyo. Years later the dissolution, further five followed five years after the reunification - without MacGowan those was unsuccessful volume. When the chaotic singer returned, its way of life seemed unchanged. To samples he came too late, and this very day those hopes volume that he emerges to the concerts at all. Usually happens in last minute. Rausschmeißen became it the Pogues nevertheless no more. „That was terrible “, says Stacy, „volume should like course be and hold together. “ Had been based the group under the name Pogue Mahone. But because hardly a radio station wanted to play the music volume, whose name translated „kiss mean ass “read, baptized itself it over. Today old-established fans do not long only come to the concerts. „It is not like that we play only before a heap of old people with long hair, which hears, means us since the 80ern “Stacy. Although long no new album appeared more and Stacy gives a refusal to hopes for new of song, the Folkpunker arrives also at people the far under own age group. The Whiskeyströme is debt, the image fills this very day concert halls. Also Stacy knows: „The people come to the shows, because we have a certain call. “That is to be also served on the stage then. Afterwards there is a cigarette for Stacy, then he drives into the hotel. „The time of the wild Feierei is past. “

[James]

Translation by Babel Fish...

In former times the eight boys were particularly well-known for their Trinkerei on the stage. That changed duly. Some the smarten Punkrocker touch today no more drops. On Tuesday The Pogues come to Spandau. They drive themselves rum, where the Whiskey flows in rivers. Their songs anyhow let that assume. The Pogues sing from alcohol and Besäufnissen, in addition, from the fate of Irish emigrants. Song of the eight Irish, Englishmen and Scots they originate the founders of the Irish Folk Punks from the 80ern and 90ern, at that time were. Today the Rocker is center 50 and no longer like that drinking bout: some renounced the alcohol. On Tuesday they come to Spandau and play in the citadel. In over 25 years on the stage it is only the second concert that volume in Berlin. 1985 came it for the first time into the city, memories on at that time is blurred. Singer and Flötist Peter „Spider “Stacy remember annoyance with neo-Nazis and a leather coat, which he had procured himself. It gave the name Wolfgang to that, but wolf course fate is unsettled. Much more does not know the Englishman from Berlin and Germany. Power station and the dead trousers are it still another term, and in the tavern few German words must be enough for the communication: „Credit you an alcohol-free beer, asks. “Stacy and most volume members drink no more alcohol for years. Stacy is it suffering that the Pogues is reduced by many to drinking songs. „Shanes of song are songs of the life and humans, of the condition of mankind, them act only of slopes in bar “, do not say it. Shane MacGowan is initial member and singer of the Pogues. Gaps in the dentures procured the nickname to the Irish „the man with many words and few teeth “. In the 80's it was pretty often too drunk, in order to arise. 1991 it flew volume from that, after it broke down with a concert in Tokyo. Years later the dissolution, further five followed five years after the reunification - without MacGowan those was unsuccessful volume. When the chaotic singer returned, its way of life seemed unchanged. To samples he came too late, and this very day those hopes volume that he emerges to the concerts at all. Usually happens in last minute. Rausschmeißen became it the Pogues nevertheless no more. „That was terrible “, says Stacy, „volume should like course be and hold together. “ Had been based the group under the name Pogue Mahone. But because hardly a radio station wanted to play the music volume, whose name translated „kiss mean ass “read, baptized itself it over. Today old-established fans do not long only come to the concerts. „It is not like that we play only before a heap of old people with long hair, which hears, means us since the 80ern “Stacy. Although long no new album appeared more and Stacy gives a refusal to hopes for new of song, the Folkpunker arrives also at people the far under own age group. The Whiskeyströme is debt, the image fills this very day concert halls. Also Stacy knows: „The people come to the shows, because we have a certain call. “That is to be also served on the stage then. Afterwards there is a cigarette for Stacy, then he drives into the hotel. „The time of the wild Feierei is past. “

It's as about as intelligible as the British press.

[DzM]

It's as about as intelligible as the British press.

Babel Fish had been drinking.

Google's attempt at translation:

Previously, the eight boys were known for their drinking on stage. This has changed properly. Some of the smart punk rocker today not a drop to move more. On Tuesday, The Pogues come to Spandau.

They drift around where the whiskey flows like water. Or at least suggest their songs. The Pogues sing of alcohol and Besäufnissen, but also the fate of Irish emigrants. The songs of the eight Irishmen, Englishmen and Scots are from the 80s and 90s, then they were the founders of the Irish folk-punks. Today, the middle rocker 50 and are no longer so hard drinkers: alcohol, some have given up. On Tuesday they come and play in the Spandau Citadel.

In over 25 years on stage, it is only the second concert of the band in Berlin. In 1985, she first came to town blurry, memories of those days. Singer and flutist Peter "Spider" Stacy remembers trouble with neo-Nazis and a leather coat, which he had bought himself. He missed the name of Wolfgang, but Wolfgang's fate remains unknown. Many more unknown to the Englishmen of Berlin and Germany. Power plant and the dead trousers are him another term, and in the bar must extend a few German words for understanding: "Do you have a non-alcoholic beer, please." Stacy and most band members to drink no alcohol for years.

Stacy is tired that the Pogues are reduced by many to drinking songs. "Shane's songs are songs about life and the people of the state of humanity, they act not only on the slopes in bars," he says. Shane MacGowan is a founding member and lead singer of the Pogues. Gaps in the teeth worried the Irishman the nickname "the man of many words and few teeth. In the 80 years he was often too drunk to perform. In 1991 he flew from the band after he collapsed during a concert in Tokyo. Five years later, the resolution, five years after the reunion - without MacGowan, the band was unsuccessful. When the chaotic singer came back, his way of life seemed unchanged. At rehearsals he was late, and the band still hopes that he turns up to the concerts at all. Usually this happens at the last minute. Would throw him the Pogues no longer the same. "It was horrible," says Stacy, "a band should be together as a gang and."

Founded in the group had under the name of Pogue Mahone. But because almost no radio station wanted to play the music of a band whose name translates as "Kiss my ass" was that she christened around. Today, not only long-established fans come to the concerts. "It's not like we just play in front of a bunch of old men with long hair, listen to us since the 80s," says Stacy. Although no longer new album is more appeared and gave Stacy the hopes of new songs for a postponement of the folkpunk come from people in far below their own age group. The Whiskey flows are to blame, the image still fills concert halls. Stacy also knows this: "People come to the shows because we have a certain reputation." He should be on the stage then uses it. Then it gives Stacy a cigarette, then he goes to the hotel. "The time of wild Feierei is over."

[firehazard]

...Power plant and the dead trousers ...

Hey, that would be a great name for a band. Oh.

[in_the_morning]

good stuff...more about Spidey's jacket being full of Hakenkreuzes:

http://www.shanemacgowan.com/articles/german90.shtml

MESS: Was machst du, wenn ihr in Berlin seid?

Sp: Ich pfiege nach Kreuzberg zu gehen, Hausbesetzer zu treffen und hoffnungslos zu versacken....Das letzte Mal habe ich mir in Kreuzberg einen tollen Ledermantel gekauft. Er war fabelhaft. Ich habe ihn geliebt Ich nannte ihn WOLFGANG. Oh Gott, war das peinlich.Vierzehn Tage lang hab ich ihn jeden Tag angehabt, als Shane so nebenbei fragt, ob ich eigentlich meine Knöpfe schon mal angeguckt habe. Ich sagte, was soll damit sein ? Schau hin, sagt er. Oh wie peinlich, auf jedem Knopf war ein kleines verdammtes Hakenkreuz! Oh nein, 2 Wochen bin ich so rumgelaufen!

[DzM]

good stuff...more about Spidey's jacket being full of Hakenkreuzes:

http://www.shanemacgowan.com/articles/german90.shtml

MESS: Was machst du, wenn ihr in Berlin seid?

Sp: Ich pfiege nach Kreuzberg zu gehen, Hausbesetzer zu treffen und hoffnungslos zu versacken....Das letzte Mal habe ich mir in Kreuzberg einen tollen Ledermantel gekauft. Er war fabelhaft. Ich habe ihn geliebt Ich nannte ihn WOLFGANG. Oh Gott, war das peinlich.Vierzehn Tage lang hab ich ihn jeden Tag angehabt, als Shane so nebenbei fragt, ob ich eigentlich meine Knöpfe schon mal angeguckt habe. Ich sagte, was soll damit sein ? Schau hin, sagt er. Oh wie peinlich, auf jedem Knopf war ein kleines verdammtes Hakenkreuz! Oh nein, 2 Wochen bin ich so rumgelaufen!

Google comedy translation:

MESS: What do you do when you are in Berlin?

Sp: I pfiege to Kreuzberg to go to meet squatters and to sink hopelessly .... The last time I bought a great leather coat in Kreuzberg. He was fabulous. I loved him I called him WOLFGANG. Oh god, was embarrassing. Fourteen days I've worn it every day when Shane asks casually whether I had actually looked at my buttons before. I said, what should it be? Look, he says. Oh, how embarrassing was a small button on every damn swastika! Oh no, I am so running around two weeks!

[fluke]

would have loved to see a picture of that coat though..