| The Popes | |
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The Popes |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Shane MacGowan and The Popes |
| Origin | Ireland |
| Genres | rock, Irish folk |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Labels | Madfish |
| Website | www.thepopesofficialsite.com |
| Members | |
| Paul McGuiness Charlie Hoskyns Will Morrison Jim McAllister Dave Allen Whiskey Mick Rowan |
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| Past members | |
| Gerry Diver Mick O'Connell Kieran "Mo" O'Hagan John Myers Danny Heatley Berni France Colm O'Maonlai Kieran Kiely Tom McManamon Andy Ireland Bob Downling Shane MacGowan |
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Shane MacGowan and The Popes was a band formerly led by Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, who played a blend of rock, and Irish folk, sometimes referred to as Paddy Beat, borrowing from World Beat, a popular genre name in the 1980s. Shane MacGowan and the Popes released two studio and one live album in the 1990s. As well as serving as MacGowan's backing band, The Popes recorded one studio and one live album without MacGowan, and have toured on their own.
The band's line up has changed through the years. Members have included Paul 'Mad Dog' McGuinness (guitar), Tom McManamon (banjo), Andy Ireland (drums, vocals), and Bob Dowling (bass). Past members have included Gerry Diver, (fiddle) Mick O'Connell (accordion), Kieran "Mo" O' Hagan (Acoustic guitar, vocals), John Myers (fiddle, tin whistle), Danny Heatley (aka Danny Pope) (drums), Berni "The Undertaker" France (bass), Colm O'Maonlai (whistle), and Kieran Kiely (accordion, whistle). Long-time friend of McGowan, Johnny Depp joined to promote the single, 'That Woman's Got Me Drinking' in October 1994. Depp played guitar on the track, directed and appeared in the video, and made a string of appearances with Shane.
In March 2007, several former members appeared as The Popes at a memorial concert for Tom McManamon. Meanwhile, guitarist McGuinness had already announced a new line up with a new album in the works. The "new" Popes are Paul McGuinness on guitar and vocals, Will Morrison on drums, Charlie Hoskyns on guitar, Fiachra Shanks on banjo, mandolin, Laurie Norwood on bass, and Ben Gunnery on fiddle. This line-up has recorded a new album called 'Outlaw Heaven' that was mixed by Chris Brown (Radiohead, etc). The album was released in May 2009.
In May 2007, the remaining members of the old band announced that they were reforming, calling themselves The Electric Popes. These include: Bob Dowling on bass, Andy Ireland on drums, Brian Kelly on mandolin and Denis Dowling. As of yet, The Electric Popes are unheard of.•
As of April 2011, members of The Popes include:
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On December 15, 2006, Tom McManamon died after a long illness. As well as The Popes, he also played with Storm, The Pogues, Depeche Mode, Joe Strummer, U2, Sinead O'Connor, and many more. He was buried with his banjo in his hands on 5 January 2007.