In January 2010 I was asked if I would join Shane MacGowan’s new Irish based rock band, as yet untitled, and I agreed. For the next six months I heard nothing until one Wednesday morning in June when I got a call from his friend and keyboardist Sarge to say we had a gig that weekend at a festival somewhere near Cavan or Monaghan. He didn’t know exactly where or on what day. He then asked could they rehearse in my recording studio in Abbey Street. I said “sure, when?”. “Tonight,” came the reply. “nothing like good planning” I though to myself.
That night bassist Cait O’Riordan, singer/guitarist Mundy, Sarge and myself rehearsed a bunch of songs as we waited for Shane. Eventually we heard bottles clanking on the stairway up to the studio. I was actually quite nervous about meeting Shane but he quickly put me at ease with a few jokes and a gin and tonic. He was totally coherent which was not what I had been expecting.
We had one more rehearsal before ‘The Flat Lake Festival’near Clones in Monaghan and went there feeling confident that the set was tight and that Shane was back on his game. We were due on at 7pm so we gathered back stage at 6.30pm. A white van arrived with Shane and his manager from the latter days of The Pogues, Joey Cashman. It was 8pm by the time Shane emerged from the van by which time he was in such a state that he had to be helped up on to the stage by two burley bouncers. A chair had to be placed on the stage so that Shane could sit down if needed.
He didn’t stick to any of the arrangements we had worked on but the crowd adored him all the same. Just before introducing the band Shane came over to me (the drums were at the front on the left looking at the stage) and asked me my name so I reminded him. He then went about introducing the band starting with his old friend Sarge, then Cait, Mundy and …he turned to me and without covering the mic asked ‘What’s your name again?’. The crowd roared laughing, as did I. I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants at every gig with him since.
Soon after that Cait headed to the US to study so Joey asked me if I had any ideas for a bass player. I immediately suggested my old rhythm partner Jack Dublin. As a rhythm section Jack and I have played together in bands on and off since 1981 when he joined Deaf Actor. Joey jumped at the idea having known Jack back in those days when we used to double bill with his band ‘The Fast Skirts’ in The Summit Inn, Howth.
Next up we needed a full time guitarist. Shane happened to mention it one night in a taxi and the driver said he knew a great rock guitarist who was looking for gigs. Shane got his number and asked us to have a jam with him. All it took was one session and we all knew we had found a gem in Johnny Daly. Johnny has dedicated his playing career to Irish greats like Rory Gallaher, Eric Bell and Gary Moore so he was steeped in Irish rock guitar heritage and most suited to the job.
And so the Shane Gang was formed:
Shane McGowan – vocals
Johnny Daly – Guitar
Jack Dublin – Bass
Sarge O’Hara – Keyboards
Paul Byrne – Drums and backing vocals
That was great to read paul.I am working with Shanes Cousine Nigel.He has never met Shane but will be delighted to read what my Cousin has to say about his Cousin. Very interesting Thanks for sharing and my love to Jack.xxx