Book review: HERE COMES EVERYBODY – THE STORY OF THE POGUES by James Fearnley

HERE COMES EVERYBODY – THE STORY OF THE POGUES
James Fearnley
Faber & Faber
7.5/10

By Shane Pinnegar

James Fearnley met Shane McGowan in 1980, and soon thereafter started playing guitar in his punk band The Nips. Experiencing McGowan’s volatility from the very start, what followed was an 11 year ride through the formation of The Pogues and their ascent to world fame before the band elected to sack their thoroughly sodden and unreliable frontman in a Japanese hotel room.

Fearnley writes with a beautiful lyricism throughout, and his turn of phrase illuminates tales of the endless touring and recording cycle, the loves and fights and internal strife within and without the band.

What seems amiss though, is that whilst drink related tales abound, there is next to no reference to drug use, let alone abuse, other than some veiled references towards McGowan’s habits. Whether Fearnley felt it wasn’t his tale to tell, it feels like the elephant in the room which no-one wants to bring up.

That aside, this is an intelligently written and intriguing book, and well worth a read if you want to know more about the band.

Category: Book Reviews