VIA PRESS RELEASE | Prepare to raise a glass and stomp your feet as The Pogues’ seminal album, Rum Sodomy & The Lash, celebrates its 40th anniversary. Originally released on August 5, 1985, the album captured the raw energy and poetic lyricism that defined The Pogues, solidifying their place as one of the most influential bands of their generation. Today (August 5) marks the 40th anniversary of that original release date.
This 40th anniversary reissue will come in a collectible 2LP red marble vinyl edition and a Deluxe 2CD set, both offering the original album plus a bonus disc that brings together the legendary “Poguetry In Motion” EP, with tracks from the July 1985 BBC Janice Long session, plus original single B-sides. The bonus disc is completed by rare live versions of “A Pair Of Brown Eyes” and “Sally MacLennane” recorded at Glasgow Barrowland in December 1987, and a rough mix of a “Poguetry In Motion” outtake, the band’s version of The Lovin’ Spoonfuls “Do You Believe In Magic,” all currently unavailable.
Produced by Elvis Costello, Rum Sodomy & the Lash was the second studio album by the London-based Irish folk punk band. Costello, who was originally brought in to work on the singles, extended his stay to work on the entire album. At the time, he said, “I saw my task was to capture them in their dilapidated glory before some more professional producer fucked them up.” The album was released on August 5, 1985 and reached number 13 on the UK charts. It features the singles “A Pair Of Brown Eyes,” “Sally MacLennane,” and “Dirty Old Town.”
