-The Pogues Say 'A Parting Glass' U.S. Tour Is Their Last

[Zuzana]

The Pogues Say 'A Parting Glass' U.S. Tour Is Their Last

Gary Graff
February 26, 2011
Billboard.com

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The Pogues will be celebrating their 25th anniversary of coming to America by raising "A Parting Glass..." in six cities next month -- which is a nice way of calling the 10-date trek a de facto farewell tour for the rowdy Celtic rockers.

"I think we are basically pretty certain this is the last tour of this type we'll be doing in the States," Pogues co-founder Peter "Spider" Stacy tells Billboard.com. In fact, he adds, the group is putting a wrap on any formal touring, but he stops short of calling the Pogues over.

"There might be the odd sort of one-off here and there, or other things like that," he explains. "We're not saying this is absolutely, definitely the end. But as things stand at the moment, I don't really see us continuing as we have been. It seems to have run its course. You can never say a door is absolutely, definitely and finally shut, but we're drawing the line, to a certain extent, this time."

The Pogues, whose tour starts March 3 in Chicago and wraps with three shows March 15-17 at Terminal 5 in New York, have stayed relatively busy since ending a five-year split and reuniting in 2001. Stacy says a number of factors have led to the decision to curtain the band's touring. "A kind of general sort of fatigue has set in, really," Stacy notes. "There's always a part of me that says, 'Fuck it, we can keep going on and on and on and on.' But that's the more unrealistic side. One has to acknowledge the passing of the years."

Also weighing in, he adds, is "economic reality." The cost of touring an eight-piece band, Stacy acknowledges, necessitates a high ticket price, which is a hard sell in the midst of a worldwide recession -- exacerbated by the group's notoriously wild-card but "brilliant" frontman Shane MacGowan.

"We can't always entirely trust Shane to deliver the goods," Stacy says. "When we're asking ($70) or so, that's a lot of money. I think people have got a right to expect a good evening out, at least -- which is, in all fairness, pretty much what people get. But I'm hardly telling tales out of school when I say that isn't always the case. Anybody reading this who's had any experience at all of seeing the Pogues live: if I say, 'Of course it's completely flawless,' they'll say, 'That's a lie, Spider.' "

Nevertheless, Stacy expects some emotionally charged performances on the upcoming jaunt. "It'll definitely mean something to us, no doubt," he says.

New Pogues music, which the group has steadfastly avoided making since the reunion, also remains out of the question, according to Stacy. "The last album with Shane was 'Hell's Ditch' in 1990," notes Stacy, who sang lead on two subsequent albums after MacGowan's initial departure. "I just think everyone's heads are in such a different space now. It would be a Pogues album by virtue of the fact it would be an album written and recorded by the Pogues, but I'm not sure how recognizable it would be as a Pogues album compared to what people know a Pogues album to be. So it's best to leave that alone."

Stacy intends to continue working on a solo album after the Pogues tour, and he's also planning some acting, including an opportunity he "can't say too much about, but...its has an American angle."

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© 2011 Billboard. All rights reserved.

[James]

I do always appreciate the honesty that comes from the Pogues camp. Sad to see one door closing, looking forward to the new music.

[KathleenwithaK]

<sigh>

[Cdn Steve]

who the hell wants flawless? I have never seen a bad show. True professionals, all.

[mcguck]

what's really unfortunate is that (unless Shane changes his opposition to the idea) there will be no proper DVD or Blu Ray of any shows since the initial 2001 reunion. With no more tours it would be nice to have something to put on during the holiday season or around St.James Cagney Day to remember the lads when they were playing their best live. And I don't think there's any question they've played better since the 2001 reunion than they did in their initial run. Live at the Town and Country is wonderful but I would also like to have a complete video representation of a reunion show.

[UK Lumpy]

I feel all the more fortunate for deciding to travel to Chicago for the 3/3 show as I have never seen them live.

[LittleCupcakes]

"One has to acknowledge the passing of the years."

We must.

The Pogues playing again was a stolen season.

[RICHB]

"One has to acknowledge the passing of the years."

We must.

The Pogues playing again was a stolen season.

I agree. What started off as a one off reunnion that I wasnt even going to attend in 2001 (in general I hate all these reunion things) has given us a brilliant ten years. Can I just say as well, from the shows I went to in Manchester over hte years, I can only recall Shane completely out of form on one occaison. Alright he has his moments and gave us the Sally Mac remix a few years ago but in general he's been in top form. (Ps I have just put the kiss of death on my last show wich is to be New York on 15th ha ha)

[in_the_morning]

This is really really sad. After all it is the band that no other band will ever be able to come close to or sort of replace. I mean it was a bit obvious but hearing it's being confirmed now is a bit of a "shock". Well, I shouldn't complain, I was lucky enough to see two live shows but I would have loved to see many more. Well, there is always hope So Long, stay true, Pogues, and Pogue Mahone!

[firehazard]

Good night and joy be with you all.

[mctoon]

Bugger, The fat ladies singing

[bigchinasean1971]

Oh, had I known this I would have booked tickets. If Jerusalem was opening on Broadway earlier I'd book one now. Yes,
how about a DVD instead.

[tiny tim]

.



"Also weighing in, he adds, is "economic reality." The cost of touring an eight-piece band, Stacy acknowledges, necessitates a high ticket price, which is a hard sell in the midst of a worldwide recession -- exacerbated by the group's notoriously wild-card but "brilliant" frontman Shane MacGowan.

"We can't always entirely trust Shane to deliver the goods," Stacy says. "When we're asking ($70) or so, that's a lot of money. I think people have got a right to expect a good evening out, at least -- which is, in all fairness, pretty much what people get. But I'm hardly telling tales out of school when I say that isn't always the case. Anybody reading this who's had any experience at all of seeing the Pogues live: if I say, 'Of course it's completely flawless,' they'll say, 'That's a lie, Spider.' "

How about taking a pay cut like the rest of us!!

[de burca]

well if spider dont fancy touring - i can play whistle !!!!!!, probably 10 % of pogues fans can too

[KathleenwithaK]

.





How about taking a pay cut like the rest of us!!

you should be ashamed of yourself for writing that