Shane MacGowan was the frontman of the Irish rock group Shane MacGowan and the
Popes, formed in 1992 after his departure from the Pogues. The band’s
breakthrough came with the 1994 album The Snake, which established their blend
of rock, Irish folk, and Americana. In 1997 the group issued The Crock of Gold,
followed by the compilation The Rare Oul' Stuff (2002), which gathered key
B‑sides and tracks from 1994‑1998. Live recordings such as Release the Beast
(Live in London 2003) (2004) documented the band’s energetic performances until
their final show with Shane MacGowan in March ...