The band's original line-up included Shane MacGowan (lead vocals), Jem Finer (banjo, mandolin, saxophone, tin whistle), Spider Stacy (tin whistle, vocals), James Fearnley (accordion), Cait O'Riordan (bass guitar), and Andrew Ranken (drums). The Pogues have undergone several line-up changes over the years, but MacGowan and Finer have remained constant members.
The Pogues rose to prominence in the mid-1980s with the release of their albums "Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash" (1984) and "Poguetry in Motion" (1986). The band's most successful single was "Fairytale of New York", a duet between MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl, which was released in 1987 and reached number one on the Irish Singles Chart.
The Pogues have been known for their raucous live performances and have toured extensively throughout the world. The band has also appeared in several films and television shows, including the 1987 film "Straight to Hell" and the 1993 television series "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles".
In 1996, MacGowan was dismissed from the Pogues due to his ongoing drug and alcohol problems. The band continued without him for a few years, but eventually disbanded in 2001. In 2004, the Pogues reunited for a series of concerts, and they have continued to tour occasionally ever since.
The Pogues are one of the most influential Celtic punk bands of all time, and their music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.