What I am Listening To: Sir Reg

The Pogues had a tremendous effect on rock. Take the traditional Irish sounds of the Chieftans and mix with the punk of the Ramones or the Sex Pistols. As much as America loves Irish tradition now, it is no surprise they basically created a new genre. 

Of course there are plenty of bands who were Irish rockers prior to the Pogues ascending to college rock stardom (Thin Lizzy, U2, Hothouse Flowers, to name a few) and even some brief moments in the buzz bins of the 90s (House of Pain, Black 47), but the true flagbearers of Celtic Punk seem to be the Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. I am not a fan of the former but via television and sporting events, they have likely eclipsed the Pogues in popularity. I am, however, a big fan of the latter. Interesting note: they are fronted by former metal vocalist Dave King ( of 80s band Fastway featuring Fast Eddie Clarke from Motorhead) - a band that has grown a decent following now threatened by King’s unfortunate health. 

There are of course, a dozen more just bubbling under. I know some by sound but most only by name. At the top of that second tier list is Canadian band The Mahomes. But there’s also Belfast Food, Flatfoot 56, Skels, The Tossers, the Real McKenzies, the Rumjacks the Porters, the Blaggards, the Killigans and In Search of a Rose. A quick google search shows that I am barely scratching the surface. I also am leaving our bands like the Young Dubliners who aren’t really punk but might appeal to the same audience, or bands who aren’t Irish who do similarly mix punk and ethnic music like Gogol Bordello (or perhaps, I could just name the entire folk punk scene) I haven’t found any of these particular strand of punk bands that I have loved as much as the Pogues (or at least Flogging Molly) until I came across Sir Reg on one of the streaming services. 

Funny enough, they are mostly a bunch of Swedes backing an Irish singer. They’ve released six albums since they made their recording debut in 2010. That self titled debut is pretty solid - catching similarities to Flogging Molly- rowdy sing alongs- The Pogues as if they grew up on Social Distortion and 90s Epitaph Records bands. Their most recent album is 2022s Kings of Sweet Feck All. The band remains active. 

For fans of that next generation of Pogues inspired bands, check out the debut LP to start (for a great undiscovered album), then explore the discography.