I first saw them play at the John Anson Ford Theatre in L.A. on June 4, 1988. (Yes, I looked up the date.) They were amazing! Shane kept opening bottles of white wine and passing them around the crowd. I was in the pit, and it was one of the best audiences I've ever been a part of. Just a really fun show. I went to a few more of their concerts after that, but Shane didn't make it which was unexpected the first time and Spider Stacy was doing lead vocals. Joe Strummer joined the band at the other concert I attended. I saw Shane with the Popes in S.F. in the early/mid nineties though which I thought was a brilliant show.
Awesome. I was really curious/wanted to see the Joe Strummer-fronted incarnation of the Pogues. I'd hope they played many Joe/Clash songs, and I imagine the Pogues could've produced amazing arrangements.
I'll be difficult now and endorse the big-band-sound Gridlock as my personal favorite Pogues opener, by far. I would love to have heard the Pogues perform and/or make an entire album with a brass section like on that track.On topic, I think Transmetropolitan from The Pogues' debut album, Red Roses for Me, is a great opener, however, The Sick Bed of Cúchulainn, from Rum Sodomy & the Lash, takes the cake, I believe.
I once saw a slightly humorous local singer/songwriter/jokester/frat-boy-entertainer use Gridlock as his entrance music, and it was the best part of his act.
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