The Past and the Present: the Pogues in Boston
With St. Patrick’s Day quickly approaching, and the Pogues set to play two sold out shows at the Avalon in Boston this weekend, what better way to celebrate than with a Pogues show from the very same venue twenty years earlier? It was called the Metro back then, and this was the period when Joe Strummer played guitar for the band on tour (87-88). In the early 90’s when Shane MacGowan left the band, Joe would take lead vocal duties for a couple of years.
While the lucky folks in Boston get to enjoy the 2007 Pogues this weekend, the rest of us can live vicariously through them and the 1987 Pogues. If the crowd at this weekend’s show is anything like this crowd, one hell of a good time is in store.
Lucky bastards.
The Pogues (featuring Joe Strummer on guitar)
The Metro, Boston, Mass.
December 1st, 1987
01. Streams Of Whiskey
02. The Irish Rover
03. Medley
04. The Body Of An American
05. If I Should Fall From Grace With God
06. The Repeal Of The Licensing Laws
07. Lullaby Of London
08. South Australia
09. Bottle Of Smoke
10. Metropolis
11. The Broad Majestic Shannon
12. Dark Streets Of London
13. I Fought The Law (Joe on Vox.)
14. London Calling (Joe on Vox)
15. Fiesta
16. Turkish Song Of The Damned
17. Dirty Old Town
18. Sally Maclennane
19. The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn
POGUES/STRUMMER VIDEO ACTION: But that’s not all, folks. How ’bout St. Patrick’s Day, 1988? From a DVD? Some kind soul has the whole show up on YouTube. With guests Joe Strummer, David Byrne, and Kirsty McColl. It’s broken into 15 parts but well worth it. Here’s part 3, “If I Should Fall From Grace With God“, with a Joe Strummer interview leading it off. Check all of ’em out here.
9 Comments
Steve
Ah! This is EXACTLY what I need to get my day going…
I’ve always loved the Pogues. I regret that I’ve never seen them live as I’m sure it’d be a fun time.
Thanks!
rich white
The show on the 10th was amazing. I can die happy now.
Jessie
This kicks ass! Thank you!
will
Thank you very much for posting this.
Mike From Boston
Thanks for putting this up. I was at this show Dec. 1, 1987 and
was at the show last Saturday March 10, 2007. Twenty years!!
Pete
That’s great Mike! You’re a luckier man than I (never seen ’em). And to see Joe Strummer too, I’m definitely envious. You’re lucky to have seen them last week, it looks like Shane fell Sunday night and hurt himself, and they’ve had to cancel some shows….
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BF
I was at this show 20 years ago with Mike from Boston. Two of the greats, the Pogues and Strummer. Thanks for letting me into the time machine.
meowhouse
Oh my, I was there in ’87! First time ever hearing of them. And I’ve been in love ever since, up to the 3/19 show and beyond. I just wrote about that day in 1987 on medusa; can’t believe I came across the set list tonight! I was looking for Pogues banner from one of the albums and found this site. I’m going to save the list because that was a special, wonderful day. Thanks so much!