The Pogues have confirmed a 40th anniversary reissue of their landmark 1985 album ‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’. The special edition will include a newly remastered version of the original album, alongside previously unreleased bonus tracks, B-sides, and rare live recordings.
Announced on August 5, the release marks four decades since the record’s debut. ‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’ was the band’s second studio album and reached No.13 on the UK Albums Chart upon its original release. Produced by Elvis Costello, the album remains one of the band’s most influential works, blending traditional Irish folk instrumentation with raw punk energy.
The 40th anniversary edition will be available in two physical formats: a deluxe 2-CD set and a limited two-LP red marble vinyl. Both versions will include the original tracklist and an expanded bonus disc featuring the ‘Poguetry in Motion’ EP, B-sides, BBC session recordings, and live performances.
Highlights include rare live recordings of “A Pair of Brown Eyes” and “Sally MacLennane” captured at Glasgow’s Barrowland Ballroom in December 1987, as well as a previously unreleased rough mix of the band’s cover of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do You Believe in Magic?”
The expanded release also features tracks from the band’s July 1985 BBC Radio 1 session on The Janice Long Show, including versions of “Wild Cats of Kilkenny,” “Billy’s Bones,” and “The Old Main Drag.”
To accompany the anniversary release, The Pogues toured the UK in May, with shows in cities including Leeds, Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Manchester. A North American leg is also scheduled to run from September 5–17. The bands live performance tour dates can be seen here.
The anniversary album will be available on CD from on September 19, followed by the vinyl release on October 24. The link to pre-order the 40th anniversary edition of album ‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’ can be accessed here via the official store .
Full Tracklist:
‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’ (1985)
- The Sick Bed Of Cúchulainn
- The Old Main Drag
- Wild Cats Of Kilkenny
- I’m A Man You Don’t Meet Every Day
- A Pair Of Brown Eyes
- Sally MacLennane
- Dirty Old Town
- Jesse James
- Navigator
- Billy’s Bones
- The Gentleman Soldier
- And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda
Bonus Tracks
– The Parting Glass (B-side)
– A Pistol For Paddy Garcia (B-side)
‘Poguetry in Motion’ EP:
– London Girl
– A Rainy Night In Soho
– The Body Of An American
– Planxty Noel Hill
BBC Radio 1 – ‘Janice Long Show’ (July 11, 1985):
– Wild Cats Of Kilkenny
– Billy’s Bones
– The Old Main Drag
– Dirty Old Town
Additional bonus Tracks
– A Pair Of Brown Eyes (Live at Glasgow Barrowland)
– Sally MacLennane (Live at Glasgow Barrowland)
– Do You Believe in Magic? (Rough Mix)
In case you missed it, MXDWN’s original coverage of the UK tour commemorating the 40 year anniversary earlier this year can be read here.
