LONDON CELTIC PUNKS WEB-ZINE

  • ODDS’N’SODS. A CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP FEBRUARY 2024

    The first Odds ‘n’Sods of the year where we collect all the various new music, new videos, live / gig news and just plain auld news coming out of the Celtic-Punk scene. It’s all here from bands big and small and even those just starting out! The deadline to vote for the best Celtic-Punk album…

  • NEW SINGLE: SUPERGROUP THE WALKER ROADERS PUT OUT ‘There Must Be Less To Life Than This’

    The new single from The Walker Roaders featuring a bunch of Celtic-Punks major players in James Fearnley from the Pogues, Marc Orrell from Dropkick Murphys, Ted Hutt from Flogging Molly and Bryan Head and Brad Wood. It’s been an incredible four years since the debut self titled album from The Walker Roaders came out and…

  • ANDREW RANKEN & THE MYSTERIOUS WHEELS RELEASE CHARITY SINGLE FOR ST. JOE’S HOSPICE, HACKNEY

    Today we send our love to Andrew Ranken of The Pogues. He’s not been well for some time but he and his band The Mysterious Wheels have recorded a song to aid and raise funds for the wonderful St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney. Just out is the new single ‘Take Me Down To St Joe’s’…

  • CELTIC-PUNK Q AND A : NICO OF MacSLON’S IRISH PUB RADIO

    Since we hooked up with MacSlon’s Irish Pub Radio we thought you’d like to find out a bit more about the radio station’s founder so how better than to get him to fill in our Celtic-Punk Q And A. Like many of us he seems to have given up on books when he discovered Punk…

  • EP REVIEW: LUCKY OL’ BONES – Lucky Ol’ Bones (2023)

    Here’s the debut release from Lucky Ol’ Bones from Santa Rosa, California and originally got together in the winter of 2015 to play Pogues’ songs. They later expanded to include raucous renditions of trad Irish and Scottish Folk and originals influenced by Ska, eastern European music and Americana. In common with many Celtic-Punk bands Lucky Ol’…

  • HAS IT REALLY BEEN TWENTY YEARS SINCE SHANE MacGOWAN AT THE IRISH ROVER?

    It’s not very often that London Celtic Punks can feature a friend of ours reminiscing about the time he performed withe legendary Godfather of Celtic-Punk – Mr. MacGowan himself. Well Kevin Rooney had that pleasure at the Irish Rover in New York and here takes us back twenty years to that night! On the 12th…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE POGUES – The Stiff Records B-Sides 1984-1987 (2023)

    Hey it’s a new Pogues album.Well not quite but almost!! A collection of Pogues non-album B-sides from the bands tenure on the famed Stiff Records label including greats like ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ and ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’, as well as lesser know greats like ‘Shanne Bradley’ (B-side to ‘Fairytale Of New York’),…

  • A TRIBUTE TO THE POGUES – FAIRYTALE OF BUFFALO NY 2023

    Four great bands in one night celebrating the Pogues, the godfather and forebears of everything celtic punk. What could possibly be bad?  Not a lot, I’ll sure as hell say.  Our man ‘cross the broad Atlantic’ didn’t have far to travel to check out this gig in his home town and even got on the…

  • THE POGUESTRA LATEST RELEASE ‘London You’re A Lady’

    The PoguestrA are back for the first time since the Summer with a song close to the hearts of the London Irish community especially. ‘London You’re A Lady’ one of the highlights of The Pogues fourth studio album Peace And Love.  The PoguestrA are a group of musicians united by a love of The Pogues playing…

  • INTERVIEW WITH POGUE | WALKER ROADER JAMES FEARNLEY

    After a couple of interviews with fellow Walker Roaders Ted Hutt and Marc Orrell, our man in NYC, Ray Ball, finally gets round to the main inspiration for the band, James Fearnley. There at the very beginning, on the  4th October 1982 in Kings Cross – James is best known from his days in The…

  • ODDS’N’SODS. A CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP MARCH 2023

    If ever their was a time when we should have a Celtic History Month in schools then March would be it with the patron Saint’s of Cornwall, Wales and Ireland all in the next few weeks. That it will never happen will surprise no one. Hers is this month’s Odds’n’Sods. All the news fit to…

  • THE POGUES LIVE IN LYON 1986 THIRTY-SIX YEARS AGO TODAY!

    FREE DOWNLOAD I’m not a massive fan of live recordings but really enjoyed this one of a Pogues concert recorded for Radio-Bellevue in Lyon, France. I then realised the 36th anniversary was only days away so the perfect time to share this free download with you. I tried to dig up some information for you and there…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: JAMIE CLARKE’S PERFECT – ‘Monkey See, Monkey Do’ (2022)

    Only a mere thirteen folk can ever say they were once members of The Pogues and one of those is Jamie Clarke. Since then with his band Jamie Clarke’s Perfect he has carved out a career making, playing and recording a glorious mix of Irish Folk, Garage, Rockabilly and Punk Rock! We are lucky to…

  • CELEBRATING A CELTIC CHRISTMAS 2021. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO THE LONDON CELTIC PUNKS FAMILY

    We think Celtic-Punk is about embracing the traditions of the past and bringing them to the present so here’s some of the Christmas customs of each of the Celtic nations. At this point we also pick the best Christmas themed song we’ve heard to showcase. Their was a time it was quite easy to choose…

  • INTERVIEW: RICHARD BALLS – A FURIOUS DEVOTION

    We sat down with Richard Balls, the author of “A Furious Devotion: The Life of Shane MacGowan”. Watch the full interview here!

  • SHANE MACGOWAN: THE NEW BIOGRAPHY

    “A Furious Devotion” is the new, authorised book about Shane MacGowan’s life and songs! Written by Richard Balls, this one is a must for any die-hard fans of Shane and The Pogues.

  • ODDS’N’SODS. A CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP DECEMBER 2021

    We take Christmas very seriously at London Celtic Punks and so begins the countdown to the second best day of the year! Expect much Christmas themed Celtic-Punk in the coming weeks but in the meantime here’s this months biggest yet round-up of all the band news, record releases and videos from bands big and small…

  • Shane and Ronnie

    THE DUNES

    Ronnie Drew and Shane MacGowan teamed up in the ’90s. The result was something powerful and terribly sad.

  • A CELTIC PUNK LOVE AFFAIR

    Ever wanted to read a short story or novel about Celtic punk? What we have here will be right up yer alley.

  • ODDS’N’SODS. A CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP AUGUST 2021

    The football season is about to kick off over here so all is well with the world! Time again for the London Celtic Punks monthly round-up of all the band news, record releases and videos from bands big and small from across the Celtic-Punk scene.  We start this month with one of my favourite band’s…

  • THE POGUESTRA LATEST RELEASE ‘TURKISH SONG OF THE DAMNED’

    Just over a year old The PoguestrA is a flexible group of musicians from around the world who love to play and record the music of The Pogues playing together remotely. A community powered by passion, diversity and inclusion. The PoguestrA strike gold again! A flexible group of musicians from around the world who are…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE DEAD RABBITS- ‘7 Ol’ Jerks’ (2021)

    Fueled by cheap whiskey and Lone Star beer The Dead Rabbits have emerged out of Texas as one of the American Celtic-Punk scenes best bands. Charged by the ole songs of Irish rebellion and the speed and harmony of Punk, they combine a potent mix of Irish Folk, Bluegrass, Gypsy and Punk Rock. Taking their…

  • NEW POGUESTRA SONG FOR ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2021

    The You Tube sensation the PoguestrA are back again with another classic Pogues cover for us. This time they are again supported by two musicians who played large parts in The Pogues story. Read on to find out who!  The PoguestrA are a group of musicians from across the world who are big fans of…

  • INTERVIEW WITH WU WEI FROM CHINESE CELTIC-PUNK BAND SMZB

    We here at London Celtic Punks have a passion for music but what about those who use music to try and achieve a higher goal than just pure enjoyment. The Chinese Celtic-Punk band SMZB are such a band and here Michael X. Rose interviews WuWei their lead singer/ songwriter and reviews their latest album, Once…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE NEW RUFFIANS – ‘Shenanigans’ (2020)

    A heady mix of traditional Celtic music and Punk for late night pubs and afternoon garden parties alike! The New Ruffians are the type of English band that usually comes from the rolling hills of Devon or Somerset. Alcohol loving folkies playing spirited covers at 110mph and totally enjoying themselves! Instead they come from the…

  • CELEBRATING A CELTIC CHRISTMAS 2020. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL THE LONDON CELTIC PUNKS FAMILY

    Each December we pick the best Christmas themed song we’ve heard that year to showcase in our end of year message. Their was a time when it was a easy choice but over the years its become quite common, so much so that we will have a special feature on 2020’s Celtic-Punk Christmas songs on…

  • EP REVIEW: PENNILESS TENANTS – ‘Lockdown Session’ (2020)

    Traditional Irish scally Punk! Penniless Tenants are a five-piece from Liverpool, playing traditional and Irish Folk music and probably the best Irish Music in Liverpool. No Folking About. The Irish community in England is supposedly shrinking I hear but only just a couple of weeks after we reviewed the debut release of Luton Irish band…

  • ODDS’N’SODS. CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP DECEMBER 2020

    In a attempt to get away from just doing ‘ReviewReviewReviewReview…’ we started a monthly feature of all the Celtic-Punk news that passed us by. All will get a mention but I need YOU to help if it’s going to work. Any band news, record releases, videos, tours (not individual gigs though yet sadly), live streams,…

  • THE POGUESTRA WITH **EXTRA SPECIAL GUESTS**

    The PoguestrA is a flexible group of musicians from around the world who are also fans of The Pogues. It was established in May 2020 during the lockdown with musicians playing together remotely. A community powered by passion, diversity and inclusion. The PoguestrA is a flexible group of musicians from around the world who are…

  • LET THE MUSIC KEEP YOUR SPIRITS HIGH – PART THREE

    Welcome to the final installment of Let The Music Keep Your Spirits high. Over the last three Sundays Andy Nolan of the most popular and influential Irish band in England over the last 20 years – the Bible Code Sundays – has shared with us the history and meaning behind some of his songs. A…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE POGUES – ‘BBC SESSIONS 1984 – 1986 (2020)

    The first ‘new’ release from The Pogues for quite a while compiles all their various BBC Sessions between April 1984 and July 1985. This CD/ digital release includes two sessions not included on the recent vinyl version of this album.  The Pogues – BBC Sessions is the definitive complete collection that The Pogues recorded for…

  • POGUE LAUREATE: POGUETRY – THE LYRICS OF SHANE MacGOWAN 

    It’s thirty-eight years to the day that The Pogues, then known as Pogue Mahone first trod the boards at their debut gig at The Pindar of Wakefield in Kings Cross, London.  At their height, The Pogues were as vivid an embodiment of the Irish of London as you’re ever likely to see. Their songs bled…

  • FILM REVIEW: CLASH OF THE ASH (1987)

    Phil Kelly is the young anti-hero of Clash Of the Ash. A restless teenager, a fan of The Cramps and The Pogues, great at Hurling but with a strong aversion to studying. Pressured by those around him – from his Mum to do well at his exams, his Dad to take a job at the local…

  • ODDS’N’SODS. CELTIC-PUNK ROUND UP JULY 2020

    Welcome to our regular monthly feature on all the news in the Celtic-Punk scene that you may have missed and we certainly did. Band news, record releases, videos, tours (not individual gigs though yet sadly), live streams, crowd funders etc., we need to hear from you so send it in to londoncelticpunks@hotmail.co.uk or through the…

  • INTERVIEW WITH MIKE KILROE FROM THE ‘CELTIC PUNK, FOLK AND ROCK FANS’ GROUP

    Little over a year ago a new Group appeared on Facebook called Celtic Punk, Folk And Rock Fans and considering 2019 was a bad year for Celtic-Punk media with two of the biggest sites closing it has been an invaluable place for fans old and new to share and introduce music to each other. Despite…

  • THE POGUES LIVE IN LONDON ST. PATRICK’S DAY 1988

    St. Patrick’s Day 2020 was cancelled so if you’re stuck indoors like me looking for something to do enjoy an hour or so of what made The Pogues so memorable and have a free download too and carry them around with you from room to room!!  The Pogues were just an incredible band. In fact…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: PADDY WAGGIN- ‘Race To The Bottom’ (2020)

    The debut release of seven originals and a Pogues cover from Paddy Waggin a new Celtic-Punk Rock outfit straight outta East Vancouver, BC. Canadian music use to be a regular feature on these pages but has been relatively quiet the last couple of years so it’s great to be able to feature a band that…

  • IRISH SOUL STEW- THE POGUES

    One man’s thoughts on what the Pogues  Shane MacGowan were and are. The original Celtic-Punk band, formally known as Pogue Mahone (from the Irish Gaelic ‘póg mo thóin’ meaning ‘kiss my arse’) who later became known as The Pogues. Formed in 1982 their inspired use of traditional Irish instruments and poetic, often politically tinged lyrics…

  • NICK BURBRIDGE AND HIS TOP TEN INFLUENTIAL ALBUMS

    To say we are overwhelmed to be able to publish this feature on his Top Ten Influential Albums by the the legendary Nick Burbridge is an understatement! Encompassing everything inbetween Folk to Celtic-Punk it’s a glorious ride through some famous and legendary artists and some little known outside the communities they hail from. Second gen…

  • SINGLE REVIEW: LORETTA PROBLEM (featuring Juha Lagström)- ‘The Waltz Of My Drunken Dream’ (2019)

    Wow! What to say except that Finland’s Loretta Problem have hit the jackpot here with their new single. I think it’s  no exaggeration to say it’s a song that The Pogues would have been proud to record! Featuring Juha Lagström on vocals ‘The Waltz Of My Drunken Dream’ is perhaps Loretta Problem’s most influenced Irish…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE WALKER ROADERS- ‘The Walker Roaders’ (2019)

    The origins of Celtic-Punk go back to a handful of bands but without a doubt it was the seminal London-Irish band The Pogues that the whole genre owes most to. Here Graveyard Johnnys Callum Houston runs the rule over the most long awaited album in the scene of recent years. Pogues accordionist James Fearnley teams…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE TENBAGS- ‘Bags o’ Craic’ (2018)

    Crusty punk troubadours from the middle of England playing Anarcho-Celtic-Punk ballads and rampaging through folk tradition! Bags o’ Craic arrived at London Celtic Punk Towers towards the end of 2018 on a scruffy home made CDR with a basic photocopied cover and a couple of stickers that wouldn’t play on any of the CD players…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: GREENLAND WHALEFISHERS- ‘Based On A True Story’ (2019)

    Long time thought of as ‘more like The Pogues than The Pogues are’ Norway’s unpolished Irish-Punk pioneers Greenland Whalefishers show they can also adapt to new sounds with their new album garnering applause from all over the internet.  Now in their 25th anniversary year Greenland Whalefishers have done as much as anyone has to keep…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE TEMPLARS OF DOOM- ‘Hovels Of The Holy’ (2019)

    What to do when a mate releases a new album? To stave off any allegations of nepotism ye rope in a guest reviewer to do it instead! With Ulster county Celtic-Punks The Templars Of Doom second album out our favourite South Carolinan Folk-Punk accordion playing multi-instrumentalist TC Costello rode into town with some pen and paper and…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE LED FARMERS- ‘Irish Folk Out Straight’ (2018)

    Well I never it’s actually an Irish band from Ireland! The Led Farmers hail from Dublin and their brand new EP features seven absolute Irish folk classics done of course in that special Led Farmers way! The Led Farmers are four Dublin fella’s who love what they do, playing upbeat Irish folk music and more. Boasting a…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: TAN AND SOBER GENTLEMEN- ‘Veracity’ (2018)

    Their has been a few great debut Celtic-Punk albums during 2018 but here is one of the very best from North Carolina’s the Tan and Sober Gentlemen. Raw and unfiltered, a blend of hard-driving, danceable roots delivered with a punk edge and whisky-fuelled abandon they call ‘Celtic-Punk-Grass’. Holy f*$%*£g shit this is a one hell of…

  • EP REVIEW: THE CRAICHEADS- ‘Greetings From Another Land’ (2018)

    One of the biggest pullers on the London Irish scene Celtic-folkers The Craicheads are back with an 4-track EP the follow up to their debut album and a taster for their new studio album due next year! There are two Irish communities living in London. The Irish and the London-Irish. The Craicheads are London-Irish through and…

  • BRING YOUR MATE TO THE HOOLEY: A STARTERS GUIDE TO CELTIC-PUNK

    Alright straight of the bat I know what you’re thinking: I’m reading a site called ‘London Celtic Punks’ I don’t really think I need a starters guide to the Celtic Punk/Rock/Folk Punk scene. Well steady on for a second and hear me out: This isn’t for you. This for your mate who has shown a…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: LOUIS RIVE- ‘The Cheap Part Of Town’ (2018)

    The debut album from Louis Rive a Scottish singer-songwriter drawing on all aspects of folk music from traditional to barroom ballad to modern day tale-tellers and poets. Influenced by The Pogues, Hamish Imlach, Michael Marra and The Corries Louis has set out to continue the grand tradition of the Celtic storytelling musician. Funny sometimes the…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: 1916- ‘Far Beyond The Pale’ (2018)

    The fourth studio album from one of the best bands in Celtic-Punk, the Rochester, NY based Irish-American band 1916. An explosive concoction of modern day Irish Punk and psychobilly with an original sound all of their very own. You may scoff at the idea that their is a Celtic-Punk band out there that has an original sound…

  • GET IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT WITH THIS CHRISTMAS CELTIC PUNK TOP-TWENTY!

    It’s December so let your pint glass be half full for a change and get into the festive spirit with what started as a Top Ten but but soon became the London Celtic Punk’s Top Twenty of the best kick-arse Christmas Celtic-Punk tunes ever written and absolutely no surprises at #1. 20. THE PRIESTS FEATURING SHANE…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: CHRISTY MOORE- ‘On The Road’ (2017)

    Christy Moore is one of a handful of people who brought Irish folk music out of the backroom sessions in pubs and homes and out in to the mainstream. With influences from rock, pop, and jazz music he is one of the architects of modern Irish folk music. Released this very day is On The…

  • NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM JOSHUA McCLURG FROM NAYMEDICI

    I had wondered after not hearing from them for a bit but sad to say that Manchester-Irish celtic-punk band Naymedici are no more. Now that name probably means more to our Irish readers than anyone else as at the height of their popularity they upsticks and moved across the sea (wrong way surely?!?!) to a…

  • HOW THE IRISH BECAME THE POGUES

    by Jack Hamilton Last March I enjoyed the pleasure (and attendant hangover) of partaking in the annual ritual of alcoholic commerce that is St. Patrick’s Day in Boston.  Although I had grown up in the area, and in a decidedly Irish-American household at that, I had spent the past seven such holidays as a resident…

  • THE HISTORY OF CELTIC-ROCK MUSIC

    Today the 30492- London Celtic Punks web zine is four years old today so what better way to celebrate our birthday than to give you this small but perfectly formed potted history of Celtic-Rock. We have never just wanted to be a place that only reviews new records we want to celebrate everything that makes us…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: Всё Crazy- ‘Мокрые слухи’ (2017)

    no nonsense no frills just straight up fantastic celtic-punk from Belarus. We been big fans of Всё_CRAZY (in English- ‘All Crazy’) for a while and Мокрые слухи is their second album and comes only a year and a couple of months after the release of their debut album По Морям. That album was reviewed on these pages…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: RESTLESS FEET- ‘Homeward Bound’ (2017)

    German celtic-punk band Restless Feet’s second studio album playing fast Irish folk from Traditionals to more asskickin‘ stuff about sailing far away and returning home. In a genre that most music fans would probably think of as being extremely small its heartening when you come across a band that you think is new only to…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: BLACK IRISH TEXAS- ‘The Good, The Bad And The Indifferent’ (2017)

    Black Irish Texas are not just another Irish punk band. They may be influenced by the giants of the scene but this seven piece brings plenty more to set them apart. With Guinness fueled lyricism Black Irish Texas navigate you between psychobilly and Texas two-step all in one show. With a new album to promote they are touring Europe…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: JAMIE CLARKE’S PERFECT- ‘Hell Hath No Fury’ (2017)

    New album from German based ex-member of The Pogues Jamie Clarke’s Perfect. Pioneers and purveyors of Folkabilly Rock- rockabilly and punk mixed with a dash of Irish folk and a belly full of beer! The name Jamie Clarke will be known to many of you due to his membership of a certain band in the 1990’s.…

  • REVIEW: THE MOORINGS- ‘Unbowed’ (2017)

    The Moorings. As recommended by The Dubliners! An ultra-energetic French quintet delivering a fantastic mix somewhere in the middle between celtic folk and alternative rock. So I was always told my auld fella that you should judge a man by the company he keeps. He used to say this to try and get me to…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: O’HAMSTERS- ‘Где бы мы ни бывали’ (2017)

    More masterful celtic-punk from Eastern Europe with O’Hamsters from Kyiv Ukraine showing us all how its done” Now we love celtic-punk music that much must be obvious as the nose on my face. The people who write for the London Celtic Punks are lucky (or unlucky considering all our ‘issues’ ahem) to be Irish but…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: ORTHODOX CELTS- ‘Many Mouths Shut’ (2017)

    Sixth album from Serbia’s Orthodox Celts. The first and still one of the best Irish/Celtic bands from not just Eastern Europe but anywhere! There are so many bands in the celtic-punk scene that for one reason or another can be regarded as legendary. One of these bands well deserving of that word are the Orthodox…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE LOGUES- ‘Comin’ of Age’ (2016)

    The Logues are five culchies from Co. Tyrone who play music! Formed in 2006 in the sleepy small village of Castlederg (in Irish: Caisleán na Deirge, meaning ‘castle on the Derg’) in County Tyrone in the north of Ireland. It lies on the River Derg and is just across the border from County Donegal. The various members were keeping a drunken…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: STEELEYE SPAN- ‘Dodgy Bastards’ (2016)

    With the release of Dodgy Bastards, the 23rd studio album of their career Steeleye Span remain one of the most influential names in music. Pioneers of folk-rock, they changed the face of folk music forever. Taking it out of small clubs and into the world of gold discs and international tours. Steeleye Span have remained at the forefront…

  • EP REVIEW: BLACKWATER BANSHEE- ‘Blackwater Banshee’ (2016)

     A cracking new Irish band from Bristol in South-West England and with bands like this the celtic-punk scene is in safe hands! I came across Blackwater Banshee on Soundcloud a few weeks back but didn’t listen to any of their recordings till last week and what an eejit I was to wait so long. The five piece…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: FIDDLER’S GREEN- ‘Devil’s Dozen’ (2016)

    Fiddlers Green. The band that invented their own genre- ‘Irish Speed Folk’ !! Fiddler’s Green celebrated their 25th anniversary last year with the release of the fantastic compilation album 25 Blarney Roses and was as about as good as anything released in 2015. They hail from the small Bavarian town of Erlangen, that is twinned with our very own…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: SMZB- ‘The Chinese are Coming’ (2016)

    The new album celebrating the twentieth anniversary of SMZB. One of the scene’s best bands and the only celtic-punk band in China! Celtic-punk in 2016 is truly a global music genre. Gone are the days when it was the preserve of spotty second, third or fourth generation Irish kids and welcome now to the World…

  • CLASSIC ALBUM REVIEW: THE DUBLINERS- ‘A Best Of The Dubliners’

    FREE DOWNLOAD! The Dubliners are without doubt the best known band in the Celtic music world. Formed in 1962 their first hit single ‘Seven Drunken Nights’ launched them into international stardom. Non stop touring and a stint with The Pogues ensured that the popularity of their music never ebbed. Without them it is highly debatable whether or not celtic-punk would have ever come…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: CLEAR THE BATTLE FIELD- ‘Set Me Free’ (2016)

    Armagh born multi instrumentalist Dominic Cromie and crew with a modern take on traditional Irish music that has something for bloody everyone! When talking about celtic-punk people sometimes think of a narrow genre situated somewhere between the two most famous bands to come out of it, The Pogues and The Dropkick Murphys, but when you…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: RUSTY NAIL- ‘Bitter Ale, Bitter Heart’ (2016)

    If Liam Clancy grew up listening to Nirvana, it would sound like Rusty Nail. St.Louis based Celtic-infused celtic-rock originals and traditional Irish Pub songs. Rusty Nail will be a name new to the vast majority I am sure but with this their new album they deserve a much wider audience and this just may be the…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: SHAMBOLICS- ‘Riot On Race Day’ (2016)

    “In South Australia I was born, heave away, haul away In South Australia, ’round Cape Horn, we’re bound for South Australia” …Ten original songs from rollickin’ celtic punk to country and spaghetti western…and beyond! One of the biggest dangers of doing a site like this is that there are only so many ways you can describe…

  • INTERVIEW WITH COMRADE X

    Hitting home with the force of a police raid on a late night lock-in at the dodgiest South London boozer Comrade X emerges from the rubble of political failure, X Factor and wall to wall mediocrity to raise a pint of Guinness to the spirit of 1977! Over the last couple of years it has…

  • THE POGUES AND IRISH CULTURAL CONTINUITY

    BY PÁDRAIC GRANT Shane MacGowan’s awareness and adaptation of trends in the literary world, along with the narrative quality and structural experimentation of his work, should cement his status as both a musical and literary figure. The Pogues (formerly Pogue Mahone, Irish Gaelic for ‘kiss my arse’) were formed in 1982 by a group of…

  • INTERVIEW WITH PAUL ‘Mad Dog’ McGUINNESS FROM THE POPES

    A couple of years back the whole celtic-punk community were shocked to hear that Paul ‘Mad Dog’ McGuinness, vocalist with The Popes, has been involved in a serious car accident in east London. The Popes were best known originally as Shane MacGowan’s backing band but also became a God damn brilliant celtic rock/punk band in their own…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: LARKIN- ‘A Toast To St. Jude’ (2016)

    With traditional Irish folk music and some of their own originals Larkin rock it up while keeping it trad. Always a good yellin’, rebel song, drinkin’ song good time with Larkin! Larkin are a superb 6 piece trad Irish folk band from Tulsa, Oklahoma in the USA that play traditional working class Irish protest song’s. They are led by Chad…

  • THE RUMJACKS TOUR IRELAND, SCOTLAND, WALES AND ENGLAND

    no Cornwall though…what happened there lads? Woohoo I am in clover and guess why? Yes the best celtic-punk band in the entire world THE RUMJACKS are bringing their raucous and spellbinding celtic-punk road show back to these shores for their biggest tour here yet. Taking in twelve cites across Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England and including two shows…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: SOLAS- ‘All These Years’ (2016)

    Solas plant the flag for Irish-American music… and it’s the best dang Irish music in the entire world!  Its always been a bit fashionable for people in Ireland to look down their noses at those who find pride in their roots and especially Irish-Americans. A kind of horrible sneer that ranges from mocking the ‘paddy-whackery’ of…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: TRIBUTE TO THE POGUES- Various Artists (2016)

    A huge compilation of songs written by the world’s #1 Celtic-Punk band as covered by today’s generation of modern celtic-punk bands from every single corner of the world! FREE DOWNLOAD! We were sent this brilliant album by our good mate Vladimir, who also did the fantastic artwork and also seems to do the artwork for…

  • THE POGUES ON MASTERMIND- THE ANSWERS!

    …so following on from the quiz we published on St Patrick’s Day here’s the answers. If you missed it and want to take it now click on the Mastermind chair below. John got 12 on the show so better than that and you deserve a pat on the back… 1. What was the name of…

  • THE POGUES ON MASTERMIND- THE QUESTIONS

    Lá fhéile Pádraig sona dhuit! “For each petal on the shamrock This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day” A couple of years ago John Abernethy competed on Mastermind (a English TV quiz show) and had The Pogues as his specialist subject. We know that that the…

  • CELTIC CELTIC-PUNK. BLACK FRIDAY LIVE IN CORNWALL FEBRUARY 13th 2016

    Traditional celtic punk for a real shanty knees up! Straight out of Kernow and heading our way to London real soon here’s a review of a recent Black Friday gig to wet your whistles for the real thing. A high energy Celtic folk band from St Germans in Cornwall. They play a fine mix of original songs,…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: TOM O’REILLY AND THE SWAGGERS- ‘One Fine Day’ (2016)

    SWAGGER, SWAMP AND SLIDE! “Celebration of people and their homelands, loves desired and lost. West country original country folk songs with soul, conjuring images of landscapes, oceans and the haunts of both the living and dead. Guaranteed to take the listener on a magical journey” Just as I was planning on reviewing this great album from Tom…

  • LIVE REVIEW: THE POGUE TRADERS at The Water Rats 13th December 20015

    Reviewed by Heather Hoy It was on the 4th October 1982 that The Pogues played their first ever gig at The Pindar of Wakefield on London’s Gray’s Inn Road. Back then, they could never have imagined the impact their music would have on the world around them or how people’s lives would be changed as…

  • 2015 REVIEWS ROUND UP PART TWO- WILL TUN AND THE WASTERS, SKONTRA, LOUISE DISTRAS, HAPPY OL McWEASEL, THE CUNDEEZ, ANTO MORRA

    This year has been quite brilliant for celtic-punk releases. In fact it has been far the best year since we began doing this here thingy. Good news surely but it also sadly means we didn’t get a chance to review everything we received or heard. So after catching up with our North American cousins (here)…

  • PREPARE YOUR LIVERS FOR THE WORSE LONDON! COMING SOON…

    Sorry if you don’t live in London but if you do you lucky souls are in for a cracking weekend from December 11th to the 13th! FRIDAY 11th DECEMBER 2015 IRISH MUSIC FOR PALESTINE BENEFIT CONCERT FOR ‘VOICE OF GAZA’ We are proud to announce a benefit gig in aid of the Palestinian charity ‘Voices…

  • EP REVIEW: THE HYDROPATHS- ‘Wailing Away’ (2014)

    Yorkshire! Yorkshire! Yorkshire! A beacon of good, old fashioned, no frills celtic-punk music. The policy on 30492-London Celtic Punks blog is to only review music from the current year. We have broken this maybe once or twice tops over the years but I had no hesitation in doing it again when I heard this release…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: O’HANLONS HORSEBOX- ‘Songs and Stories of the Border’ (2015)

    A shower of hallions from the County Armagh! Ireland is the country that most celtic-punk revolves around if we going to be honest. It would be fair to say the majority of us are of Irish descent and its largely Irish tunes and instruments that get played so its always been a sort of annoyance…

  • INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY CAMPBELL

    A fast, ruthless, uncompromising sound with influences from far and wide. Material that embraces traditional music and sometimes frantic Bluegrass style picking with self penned songs of protest and debauchery. We are extremely happy that Johnny took time out from megabussing it around the country from gig to gig to do a little interview for us. The…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: GREENLAND WHALEFISHERS- ‘The Thirsty Cave’ (2015)

    Celtic Punk or Irish Punk or Paddy Punk or Folk Rock or Rock or Punk or Folk Punk or Folk? The latest studio album from one of the most popular and most successful celtic-punk bands in the world! The eighth studio album from London Celtic Punks fave’s the Greenland Whalefishers and boy oh boy it does not disappoint!…

  • EP REVIEW: DRUNKEN DOLLY- ‘Drunken Dolly And The Drunken Mans Curse’ (2015)

    Happy rocking celtic folk punk party music from Rotterdam Funny how things go and only a few days after reviewing the new album from Dutch band Pyrolysis another new release from a Dutch band lands on the London Celtic Punks doorstep. Although relatively new to us Drunken Dolly have been together for six years but ‘Drunken…

  • BOOK REVIEW: ‘RUM, SODOMY AND THE LASH’ by Jeffrey T. Roesgen

    30 years to the day of the release of Rum, Sodomy And The Lash. Fleshing out The Pogues second album into a pocket sized, historical and musical mix of fact, fiction and nautical friction. Perfect for yer summer holiday,  “You can smell The Pogues through the writing” Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: THE KILMAINE SAINTS- ‘Live At The Abbey’ (2015)

    Explosive, high-energy celtic-punk rock band from Pennsylvania will lift your hearts and your spirit… and your pint when you’re not looking! Formed in 2009 The Kilmaine Saints were the brainchild of two members of the Harrisburg Pipe And Drum Band (Pennsylvania). With celtic-punk taking off they decided to form a band that would get them free beer…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: TIN CAN HOOLEY- ‘ Racket In The Parlor’ (2015)

    folk that rocks… not folk rock! Featuring over 75 years of artistry in Boston punk and hardcore bands playing old time Celtic pub music Tin Can Hooley are a Boston Irish band right out of the Boston Irish community. Despite never having set foot there I feel I know Boston well what with the Dropkick Murphys…

  • FILM REVIEW: ‘A MAN YOU DON’T MEET EVERY DAY’

    It’s the mid-nineties in London and a couple meet through a lonely hearts column. She is an middle class English married woman, he is an lonely Irish mechanic and despite the gulf between them they start an affair. A long forgotten slice of life from the early 90’s with a soundtrack from the best band of all time.…

  • TRIBUTE TO CHRISTIAN CELTIC-PUNK BAND BALLYDOWSE

    Rollicking, inspiring, group-singing, Pogues-inflected Punk with heavy multiple-world and Folk-genre borrowing thrown all around. Plenty of bands have come and gone over the years. Ballydowse were one such band. An American Christian Celtic-Punk band (though the Chicago Reader calls it shit-kicking Celtic crunch Punk) active between 1998 and 2003 they recorded two albums that concentrated…

  • INTERVIEW WITH WILTSHIRE BAND MICK O’TOOLE

    Well here’s a first for the London Celtic Punks web-zine… we have for you a video interview with Mick O’Toole a five piece southern cider swilling folk band from the deepest darkest Shire! The latest in our ever growing roster of bands we love. Now it wasn’t intended to be like this no. I expected…

  • EP REVIEW: GREENLAND WHALEFISHERS- ‘Looney Tunes’ (2015)

    Celtic Punk or Irish Punk or Paddy Punk or Folk Rock or Rock or Punk or Folk Punk or Folk…yeah that sounds about right! For those not in the know The Greenland Whalefishers hail from Borgen in Norway and have been wandering the globe for over twenty years now playing their fantastic brand of celtic-punk for…

  • ALBUM REVIEW: DARIUS KOSKI- ‘Sisu’ (2015)

    Created over the course of over a decade Darius Koski, frontman of US punk legends the Swingin’ Utters, uses an arsenal of traditional, acoustic-based instruments to create a hodgepodge of styles and blend that includes bluegrass, country, blues and American and Irish folk. Darius Koski is a family man with a day job as a plumber but its in his other…

  • EP REVIEW: SIGELPA- ‘Ens Van Diagnosticar Un Transtorn’ (2015)

    Sigelpa are truly one of the best and inventive celtic-punk bands in the scene right now! Late last year Mrs London Celtic Punk decided it was time we go off on a proper holiday somewhere. Sick and tired of going to the seaside with me she said what about Barcelona? Now i don’t have travellers legs to…

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