The band was founded in London in 1981 as "The New Republicans" by Shane MacGowan and Peter "Spider" Stacy.

In 1982, the pianist,  James Fearnley, joined the Band, and he  gave the accordion band its own unique style. That same year, the members found with "Pogue Mahone" (Anglicized version of Irish Gaelic Pog Mo Thoin, "Kiss my ass")  a new name. 

In 1984 the first single Dark Streets of London came out. Radio stations refused to play the music because the band name was too offensive. The band achieved regional awareness through concerts in pubs and bars and as opening act for The Clash.

In 1995, the last album Pogue Mahone, which despite some well-chosen guest musicians such as Jon Sevink by The Levellers on the fiddle, did not quiet reach the quality of the earlier works. A year later, The Pogues broke up.

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