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  • Here Comes Everybody

  • The Story of the Pogues
  • By: James Fearnley
  • Narrated by: James Fearnley
  • Length: 14 hrs and 56 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (64 ratings)
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Here Comes Everybody cover art

Here Comes Everybody

By: James Fearnley
Narrated by: James Fearnley
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Summary

October 1982: ABC, Culture Club, Shalamar and Survivor dominate the top twenty when the Pogues barrel out from the backstreets of King's Cross, a furious, pioneering mix of punk energy, traditional melodies and the powerfully poetic songwriting of Shane MacGowan.

Reviled by traditionalists for their frequently fast, often riotous interpretations of Irish folk songs, the Pogues rose from the sweaty chaos of backroom gigs in Camden pubs to world tours with the likes of Elvis Costello, U2 and Bob Dylan and had huge commercial success with everyone's favourite Christmas song, 'Fairytale of New York'.

Yet the exuberance of their live performances coupled with relentless touring spiralled into years of hard drinking and excess which eventually took their toll - most famously on Shane but also on the rest of the band - causing them to part ways seven years later.

Here their story is told with beauty, lyricism and great candour by James Fearnley, founding member and accordion player. He brings to life the youthful friendships, the bust-ups, the amazing gigs, the terrible gigs, the fantastic highs and the dramatic lows in a hugely compelling, humorous, moving and honest account of life in one of our most treasured and original bands.

©2012 James Fearnley (P)2015 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Here Comes Everybody

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

brillant story, poorly read most of the time

Would you listen to Here Comes Everybody again? Why?

doubt I'd listen to it again, James is not a natural reader, taking away from the enjoyment

Who was your favorite character and why?

Shane, its the only reason I bought this, wanting to know how the Pogues came about and Shane is the character which without, the Pogues would never be.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

not a natural interesting reader, poorly read, especially when a great story

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Pogue Mahone, what else

Any additional comments?

I'm not one to usually write reviews.

However in this case, I'll make an exception.

Based on other reviews, I expected the reading to be mediocre and they were right.

When James reads, he tends to be slow and you'd think it was the first time reading the book as you get the feeling he's just reading it as he finds it.

Until he gets to the parts where he's imitating Shane etc, these become very fluent and just about keep me interested in listening to the story.

I am however enjoying hearing how the Pogues became the Pogues, from the early days of the Nips, just a shame the reading could have been much more fluent which would make the overall rating 100%, only falls down on James's spoken words :(

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Complete Authenticity!

I loved this book. I'm not a nuts Pogues fan but I am a fan. I loved the authenticity of this, I felt like I was backstage with the Pogues thru good and bad. I loved the writing, narration, and the story. Best audio book I ever listened to, bar none!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful Stuff

Sad, beautiful, and pulls no punches. Reads like the best Pogues songs, and there's no finer tribute than that.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Is this Angela’s Ashes

Most musicians enjoy the lifestyle of belonging to a successful group but not James Fearnly of the Pogues. What a whingefest. There’s nothing interesting here, it’s so miserable.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Just grand

I thoroughly enjoyed this well written and hugely entertaining book, it takes you on a musical journey with the highs and lows of being in an important. ground breaking band, I was waiting for th,t music in the early eighties and the Pogues went out into the world and made it. The reading by James Fearnley is perfect.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Heartbreaking humanity

I did find the stilted delivery difficult at times but the story of The Pogues family had all the ups and downs of all family life and this was well worth every minute of listening. Thanks for sharing James.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A Wonderful Memoir

This is an audio book I will go back to again and again.

I first saw the band in McGonagles, Dublin in '85 and was a fan ever since.

I really enjoyed the writing and reading of a great story and I'm happy that James fulfilled his ambition to write and have a book published. No better man to tell the tale.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent - real insight into a fascinating story

This is a brilliant book – and narration too.
It’s entertaining, clever, funny, touching at each turn and brilliantly, evocatively written.

I think it would work for anyone but it’s absolutely essential for anyone interested in the way bands work or with any affection for the Pogues.

I was a big fan from the days of Pogue Mahone – saw the band dozens of times - amongst the best gigs of my life. I loved the attitude and the tunes, the musicianship, and the onstage dynamic, as well as obviously those amazing songs. The book has brought it all back, fabulously nostalgic for me. Lots of it gives an insight – like being backstage, in the bar or on the bus. But I don’t think you need to be a fan to really enjoy this. It’s like being on the inside as the slow, inexorable, downward spiral of Shane unfurls.

Lots of it is kind of shocking (and not for those that can’t cope with an occasional / frequent swear word) – but there’s also a real intelligence about the writing – both intellectual and emotional. There’s enough facts and drama but the language is brilliant, hugely evocative of place and atmosphere. Above all it hugely honest – even when some of that hurts. It’s about friendships as well as over-indulgence.

Narration is great too … (so treat the sample with a pinch of salt). First few minutes I wasn’t sure if I could cope with James’s drawl and staccato reading manner – but bear with it and it starts to work – he’s just brilliant at adding colour and shade to the reading. When Shane bursts into the room it’s hilarious, infurating, touching – just as he was.
James brings all of the characters to life – feels as much an actor’s performance as a writer’s.

If you know more than one Pogues song – you need to get this book. If you only know one get it anyway.

Think you owe me a pint don’t you?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

good - but needs to be updated

Great about the early years.

The book finishes in 1991, what about the reformation etc?

Sometimes stilled reading

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Outstanding !!

Having been a Pogues fan for many years I looked forward the history, stories & anecdotes that could only come from a real insider. Although Shane dominates much of the book I felt that the author did not do himself justice regarding his own input within the band.
I was lucky enough to see them a few times in their heyday, always at Barrowlands Ballroom, Glasgow. Riotous affairs every one of them but one night in particular stuck in my mind and has never left me. James Fearnley was in spectacular form, jumping, stamping and sliding from one end of the stage to the other hefting his accordion and playing with abandon. He then moved on to his Stratocaster and proceeded to astonish us with his prowess as a guitarist. Towards the end of the night he picked up an electric mandolin and played it with the same skill and musicianship culminating in an extended solo that had the hairs on my neck bristling. A real musician.
The book is written beautifully, full of funny,sad, joyous episodes that are related (in Audible) by the man himself. I loved his narration and mimicry, which supplemented hugely, for me, the truth and authenticity of this outstanding book. A must read for any Pogues fan.

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