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The Popes were formed in 1993 by Shane MacGowan , after he was sacked from the Pogues. The band developed a blend of Irish folk and punk sometimes known as Paddy Beat. The Popes released three albums with MacGowan as well as a variety of EP's and singles. They recorded one studio album , Holloway Boulevard , one live album , Release The Beast , an EP, Are You Looking At Me ? , and several singles as a solo group. These days The Popes are a new and dangerous animal , the sound has gotten harder and yet remained melodic , Celtic and original. The Popes are a rock’n’roll band with the soul of a fiddler at the crossroads … The line up has changed over the years , and again in the recent past , after the tragic death of formidable instrumentalist and banjo player Tom McManamon . Tom was a major contributor to the bands’ unique sound , but lead vocalist and principle songwriter Paul McGuinness , aka Mad Dog, has remained throughout. The current line up consists of Paul McGuinness, guitar and vocals , Charlie Hoskyns , guitar and vocals , Will Morrison , drums , Laurie Norwood , bass and vocals , Fiachra Shanks , mandolin , guitar and vocals and Ben Gunnery , fiddle. The new album 'Outlaw Heaven', featuring old friends Shane MacGowan & Spider Stacy, is out now and is available from our website, www.thepopes.uk.com , HMV, Rough Trade & all good record shops, and from iTunes ... The artwork for the album , featured on this page also , is by artist Brian Whelan www.brianwhelan.co.uk

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