The Pogues on HMS Belfast, 1985

In 1985, the Pogues launched their great second album 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash' with a party on HMS Belfast, the retired Royal Navy ship permanently moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge. All of this was in keeping with the nautical theme for the album, the sleeve of which features  Theodore Géricault's painting 'The Raft of the Medusa' (1819), with the band's heads superimposed on some of its characters.

According to accordionist James Fearnley:

'On the 30th July, the piratical theme reached its apotheosis with the launch party for the record. It took place on HMS Belfast - an early venue for Spandau Ballet. We donned our Nelson-era costumes, invited the press and a slew of friends, acquaintances and others, played a short set on the upper deck under a marquee, and then got drunk. At some point in the evening, a journalist fell into the Thames from a landing stage' ('Here Comes Everybody: The Story of the Pogues').

Record Mirror (10 August 1985) reported that over '2000 bottles of beer and untold amounts of wine and rum' were consumed.

The band performed in vintage martime uniforms, as can be seen in these photos from the night (top one by Andrew Catlin, not sure who took picture of bassist Cait O'Riordan_

See previously:

- Spandau Ballet and Depeche Mode on HMS Belfast

- The Pogues play Skehans, 2025

When The Pogues came to Skehans

Incredible scenes at Skehans pub (Kitto Road SE14) last week when the surprize musical guests turned out to be... The Pogues. Yes I know Pogues singer Shane MacGowan is two year's gone, but this line up included key founding members Spider Stacey and Jem Finer, and some amazing guest musicians including Darragh Lynch from Lankum and Iona Zajac

(photo from Pogues bassist Holly Mullineaux insta)

The event on 10 December 2025 was actually the Christmas party for food pop up Pears for Lunch, founded by food writer and cook Ben Lippett with the party sponsored by Jameson's whiskey. The place was absolutely packed, as you might expect.

(for people who don't know the pub I should point out that it's not one of those pubs with a big back room for gigs etc - the Pogues were right in the public bar)