What a fully-formed debut Red Roses For Me, released in 1984, was. Somehow producer Pete Brennan managed to distil the chaotic energy of The Pogues’ live gigs.It’s stunning.
This, coupled with lead singer Shane MacGowan ‘s gimlet eyed poetry (Transmetropolitan, Dark Streets of London) meant they were forever torn between raucous piss- up and teary embrace. The songs’ lyrics embraced the outsiders: punks: rebels, addicts, homeless and displaced, and sex workers, the people who’d fallen through society’s cracks yet were resilient. Little wonder that the band looked to Brendan Behan and The Dubliners for inspiration.
The traditional Irish songs, meanwhile, were given a swift kick in the bollocks. Spider Stacy, their tin whistle player, was known to beat a greased tray against his head during gigs, and that seems as appropriate a metaphor for the aopproach. It was a violent, raucous, occasionally tender way of coming at Irish folk music. Shane, you will be sorry missed, ya walloper.
Hit The North 
I haven’t listened to them much, but listening to them more and read about him a lot since his death, I’m feeling here was another troubled, beautiful person who generously shared his gifts
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