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"...Don't underestimate The Popes - they're the Irish music equivalent of Booker T & the MG's. Sparse, punchy, killer." (Irish Voice)

"Sounding like The Pogues beating The Dubliners to death with a carjack" (Donal O'Sharpe)

* Top 5 Traditional/folk album - as voted for in Ri-ra's best of 2000 poll. (Holloway Boulevard)

Shane MacGowan formed The Popes to record his album 'The Snake' in 1994 after leaving The Pogues. From that original line up are Paul (Mad Dog) McGuinness, on vocals and guitars (Paul originally played with The Pogues, his first performance being live on the David Letterman show, plucked from the technical team at a moment's notice!).

After releasing 2 sell out singles - 'Are You Looking At Me' and 'Holloway Boulevard' on Scarlet Records - The Popes signed to Snapper Records and released their debut album 'HOLLOWAY BOULEVARD' with a 'never been done before' - (and I should imagine never again!!) one day - 6 venues - musical pub crawl along the Holloway Road in North London!!

'Holloway Boulevard' received great reviews and the record-buying public took the band to their hearts - and their parties!
After recording another live album with Shane in New York on St Patrick’s Day (Across the Broad Atlantic), and extensive touring, Paul began writing material for the new album.

Following the sad death of Popes banjo god Tommy McManamon at the end of 2006, Paul reformed THE POPES with a new line up of fantastic and experienced musicians; drummer WILL MORRISON (Here be Dragons, Lisa Knapp), guitarist/producer CHARLE HOSKINS ( Lisa Knapp, Badly Mixed Bastards) and fiddle /accordion player GERRY DIVER (Van Morrison, Laurie Anderson).

The Popes' new album looks like it will showcase some of their most exciting material to date, with some very interesting 'special guests', including Shane MacGowan, to be featured on tracks, as well as some new remixes and production ideas.

Apart from playing live throughout 2007, they have been working on the new album, which is now well in progress and will be available for release September 2008.