The Pogues Pick 9:30 for St. Pat's

Groundbreaking Celtic rock band honors DC with holiday shows

WASHINGTON -- The Pogues -- Ireland's greatest Celtic rock band now or ever -- have picked Nightclub 9:30 for their St. Patrick's Day show, according to The Pogues: In the Wake of the Medusa, making 9:30 the best place to be on March 17 in 2009.
 
Or March 16. The band has scheduled both nights.
 
While traditional Irish folk music was never really my thing -- well, years of hearing "Whiskey in a Jar" at pubs kinda killed it for me -- can't deny the groundbreaking impact the Pogues had by injecting the genre with punk rock in the early '80s.
 
Led by Shane MacGowan, a singer whose slurred vocals often hide the poetry in his lyrics, the highly political Pogues display terrific, warped wit.
 
The Pogues carried on into the '90s without MacGowan, whose legendary abusive lifestyle nearly derailed the band, but he's been back in tow for a few years now. He may not be the driving force anymore, but he's still a sight to see on stage.
 
Before the concert, get your proper St. Pat's meal at Duffy's Irish Restaurant & Pub (thanks to proprietor Andy Duffy for the tip about the show) across the street. Get there early -- either night -- because the place'll likely be packed thanks to the best fish & chips and corned beef in the city.
 
Tickets go on sale Friday, and they will go fast, so make 'em your first Black Friday purchase.
 
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