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Top of the Popes

London-Irish Celtic noise fiends The Popes are back with a new album (released March 11th) and a European tour – and it's about time. By Shelley Marsden - 28/04/09

The ferocious Outlaw Heaven, which features ex-member Shane MacGowan on three tracks, is a storming showcase of their exciting new material – and the music may be Irish, but it’s decidedly more Thin Lizzy than The Dubliners! Shane MacGowan formed The Popes to record his album 'The Snake' in 1994 after leaving The Pogues, with McGuinness in the original line-up.

Two hit singles, 'Are You Looking At Me' and ' Holloway Boulevard' led to the band’s singing to Snapper Records, and an acclaimed debut album ' Holloway Boulevard' (which was accompanied by an impressive six venue musical pub crawl along the Holloway Road). The Popes recorded another live album in New York, Across the Broad Atlantic, before McGuinness sat down to write songs for the new album. And as he explains, it wasn’t all plain-sailing…

Can you describe your sound in one sentence?

Er, if I could do that, I’d give up music and become a journalist! It’s rock music with lots of Celtic influence weaving through it. From Van ‘The Man’, Thin Lizzy, and even touches of The Pogues.

It’s been a while since you released anything. Why?

I needed to do some serious attitude adjustment and it took a considerable time. The last album we put out was ‘Release The Beast’, and since that time a lot of stuff has happened. Tom McManamon, one of the founder members sadly passed away, I took a few years out to kick a heroin habit amongst other things. I knew I wanted to do something new and fresh and it took a while to meet the right people who I could collaborate with. To find people who had the right personalities to fuel the chemistry took some time. If I’d known it would have taken so long I’m not sure I would have started the project, but now I’m glad I did.

For the full interview, buy this week's Irish World at your local newsagents, or pick up a copy HERE for only 50p!

The Popes play The Borderline, Manette St, London, Tel: 020 7734 2095 on May 14th. Tickets available from www.ticketweb.co.uk. The new album 'Outlaw Heaven' is out May 11th. Check out www.thepopes.uk.com.