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Spider Stacy
Spider Stacy
Spider Stacy
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Key Information

Peter Richard "Spider" Stacy (born 14 December 1958) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and actor. He is best known for playing tin whistle and sometimes singing for the Pogues.[1]

Early life

[edit]

Stacy grew up in Eastbourne.[2] He left school at 16 after failing to attend regularly, and had a few jobs, including working at a carwash and as a used car salesman for nearly two years.[3]

The Pogues

[edit]

Stacy co-founded the Pogues, along with Shane MacGowan, Jem Finer, and James Fearnley, and appeared on all of their recordings.[4] He is credited with suggesting the band's original name, Pogue Mahone (the actual Irish spelling being "póg mo thóin"), which is Irish for "kiss my arse". The band's original intent was for MacGowan and Stacy to share vocal duties, but Stacy decided to leave them to Shane after the first performance, opting to learn the tin whistle.[5] Stacy still frequently contributed backing vocals and occasional lead vocals throughout his long tenure with the band. In addition, he is known for sometimes banging a pub tray against his head for percussive effect.[6] After Shane MacGowan was fired from the Pogues in 1991, Joe Strummer filled in for him for a short period, after which Stacy assumed the role of lead vocalist. The Pogues recorded two albums with Stacy on lead vocals: Waiting for Herb and Pogue Mahone.[7] Stacy resumed his original role in the band when they held reunion shows in 2001 and from 2024.[6]

Spider Stacy performing as lead singer of The Pogues during a show at Terminal 5 in New York City on September 16, 2025.

Stacy, along with Jem Finer and James Fearnley, led a 2025 tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of their seminal album "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash." The tour featured a total of 15 performers, bringing new life and new arrangements to many of The Pogues classics.

Other appearances

[edit]

After the Pogues' break-up, Stacy briefly formed a new band, Wisemen—soon renamed The Vendettas—which included ex-Pogues Andrew Ranken and Darryl Hunt (as well as Kavus Torabi of The Monsoon Bassoon, Cardiacs, and Gong). Stacy has also appeared in both live performances and on recordings with other musicians, including Astral Social Club, Filthy Thievin' Bastards, and longtime friend Steve Earle. In 2005, Stacy performed two songs, including "Joe Hill", with Patti Smith, at the Meltdown festival. In 2007, he appeared on the Dropkick Murphys' version of "Flannigan's Ball" with Ronnie Drew of The Dubliners.[8] In 2015, Stacy teamed up with Cajun music band Lost Bayou Ramblers to perform Pogues songs under the name Poguetry in Motion, later shortened to Poguetry. In 2018, he was joined by original Pogues bassist Cait O'Riordan. In February and March 2020, Poguetry played an eight-date tour of the US.[9] In December 2022, Spider collaborated with Brooklyn-based punk band The So So Glos for the holiday single "This Could Be Christmas".[10]

Acting

[edit]

Stacy has appeared in several movies and television productions, including the Alex Cox films Straight to Hell (1987) and Walker (1987), as well as the Peter Richardson-directed Eat the Rich (1987).[11]

Starting in 2011, he played "Slim Jim" Lynch in the HBO series Treme (2010–13), appearing in two seasons. The series, which is set in New Orleans, was co-created by The Wire (2002–2008) creator David Simon.[12] Several Pogues songs had been featured in The Wire, and Stacy was introduced to both Simon and The Wire/Treme writer and novelist George Pelecanos backstage after a Pogues performance in Washington, D.C. Stacy's friendship with Pelecanos later led to a 2009 performance featuring the Pogues at the Boogaloo, a London pub. Pelecanos read excerpts from his then-new novel, The Way Home, followed by the Pogues' first pub performance since 1983.[13][14]

Personal life

[edit]

In 2010, Stacy and his wife, Louise, purchased a home in New Orleans.[12]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Spider Stacy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Spider Stacy (born Peter Richard Stacy; 14 December 1958) is an English musician, singer, and songwriter, best known as a founding member and tin whistle player of the Celtic punk band The Pogues. Born in Eastbourne, England, and raised in north London from the age of eight, Stacy grew up in the Golders Green area in a middle-class environment. As a teenager, he adopted the nickname "Spider" and became involved in London's punk scene in the late 1970s, initially as the frontman for the short-lived band The Millwall Chainsaws. In 1977, Stacy met Shane MacGowan at a Ramones concert at the Roundhouse in London, and in 1982 they co-founded The Pogues (originally named Pogue Mahone) alongside Jem Finer and James Fearnley, contributing backing vocals and his distinctive performance style of bashing a beer tray against his head in rhythm. To secure his place in the band, Stacy taught himself to play the , an instrument that became central to ' fusion of Irish folk traditions with punk energy, and he also performed on harmonica and took on lead vocals for several tracks, notably after MacGowan's departure in 1991. The band's breakthrough came with their 1984 debut album and subsequent hits like the 1987 Christmas classic "," co-written by MacGowan and Finer, which featured Stacy's contributions to the group's raw, poetic sound. achieved international success through seven studio albums until their initial disbandment in 1996, reforming sporadically thereafter, including a notable 25th-anniversary tour in 2004–2005. Beyond , Stacy has pursued acting roles in films such as Alex Cox's 1987 Western parody Straight to Hell and the 2011 Irish drama . Since 2010, he has divided his time between and New Orleans, , collaborating with the Cajun band The Lost Bayou Ramblers on albums like the 2020 release In Poguetry, which blends Pogues-style punk with and roots music. In 2025, Stacy began touring with a reformed lineup of , marking the band's return to live performances following the death of in 2023.

Early life

Birth and family background

Peter Richard Stacy, known professionally as Spider Stacy, was born on December 14, 1958, in , . Although some sources, including , have listed as his birthplace, contemporary interviews and biographical accounts consistently confirm as the location of his birth. The youngest of three children to parents John and Hazel Stacy, he grew up in a middle-class family. His father worked for a that built . Stacy acquired his nickname "Spider" at the age of 12 from a girlfriend, who remarked on his angular body and thin, liquorice-like legs. In , at age five, the family moved to for his father's work, where they lived for about 2.5 years before returning to in late 1965. They then relocated to , settling in the middle-class suburb of around age eight.

Upbringing and musical influences

Peter Richard Stacy, known professionally as Spider Stacy, was born in , , but after returning from , relocated with his family to the Golders Green area of at around the age of eight, where he spent his formative years in a middle-class, secure suburban setting. As a child, he attended a near , . Stacy attended local schools in the area but struggled academically and with regular attendance, ultimately leaving education at age 16 after being expelled, which shifted his focus toward manual labor and odd jobs, including workshop cleaning at a garage from 1977 to 1979. These early experiences, rather than formal academics, steered him toward more unstructured creative outlets amid the vibrant, rebellious of late-1970s . His musical awakening coincided with the explosive rise of punk rock in his teenage years; a pivotal moment came in 1977 when, as a 19-year-old, he attended a Ramones concert at London's Roundhouse venue—billed with acts like the Saints and Talking Heads—where he first encountered Shane MacGowan outside during a break. This meeting marked an entry point into the punk scene's raw energy, which Stacy later described as liberating due to its accessibility: "all you had to do was acquire an instrument, plug it in and see what you could come up with." By early 1978, he had integrated into London's underground punk and squatting communities, residing in a communal squat within an abandoned Georgian house on Burton Street in Bloomsbury alongside a rotating group of like-minded individuals, including reconnecting with MacGowan. These surroundings, characterized by the era's DIY ethos and anti-establishment vibe, profoundly shaped his artistic inclinations, fostering self-taught experimentation with music through punk's emphasis on immediacy over technical proficiency.

Musical career

Formation and role in The Pogues

Peter Richard Stacy, better known by his stage name Spider Stacy, first encountered future bandmate Shane MacGowan at a Ramones concert held at London's Roundhouse venue in June 1977, where they struck up a conversation in the restroom about punk fanzines. Shortly thereafter, the two began informal jamming sessions, initially with Stacy planning to share lead vocal responsibilities alongside MacGowan, drawing from their mutual punk influences. In 1982, Stacy co-founded the band in London's King's Cross area alongside MacGowan and ( and guitar), initially naming it —an Irish phrase meaning " my arse"—which was later shortened to for broader appeal and to avoid radio censorship. As a core founding member, Stacy took on the roles of player and , contributing to the band's raw, energetic sound from its inception. With no prior formal musical training, Stacy transitioned to the after early rehearsals revealed his discomfort with lead singing; MacGowan encouraged the switch, and Stacy self-taught the instrument on the spot, quickly becoming a pivotal force in the band's aesthetic. The group rapidly evolved its signature punk-folk fusion style, merging high-octane punk rhythms with traditional Irish folk elements like reels and ballads, while undergoing early lineup adjustments that included the addition of on and Andrew Ranken on to solidify their rowdy, acoustic-driven lineup. The Pogues honed their material through initial gigs in North London pubs and street busking sessions, building a grassroots following with their chaotic, high-energy performances. Their breakthrough came in 1984 when they opened for The Clash on tour, impressing label executives and securing a deal with Stiff Records later that year. Under Stiff, the band issued their debut single "Dark Streets of London" in March 1984 (self-released on their own label), with a reissue in June, followed by their first full-length album, Red Roses for Me, in October, capturing their raucous blend of covers and originals on vinyl.

Key contributions and achievements with The Pogues

Spider Stacy served as the primary player for , contributing its distinctive Celtic sound across their discography, while also playing harmonica and providing backing vocals on early recordings. His instrumental work featured prominently on key albums such as (1985), where the added raw energy to tracks blending punk and Irish folk traditions. On If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), Stacy's underpinned the band's breakthrough sound, including the holiday classic "," a duet between and that peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart upon release and has re-entered the Top 40 annually since 2005, amassing 133 weeks on the UK Singles Chart as of November 2025. Following MacGowan's departure in 1991, Stacy assumed lead vocal duties, steering the band through their final studio albums. He provided lead vocals on most tracks of (1993), including the single "," which became the band's biggest-selling worldwide track during that era. Similarly, on (1996), Stacy's vocals defined the album's eclectic mix of covers and originals, marking the band's last release before their initial breakup later that year amid internal challenges and lineup shifts. Stacy played a pivotal role in The Pogues' live performances, enhancing their reputation for chaotic, high-energy shows that fused punk aggression with traditional Irish instrumentation. In 1989, he stepped up as a temporary frontman during U.S. dates supporting , filling in after MacGowan's illness prevented his travel. The band also collaborated with on the 1988 track "Johnny Come Lately," where Stacy's complemented Earle's country-punk style on the album . Reunions followed, with Stacy participating in tours from 2001 to 2014 that revisited their catalog without new material, and a 2025 North American and UK tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of , including North American dates in September and October 2025 followed by UK shows in November and December 2025, prompted by MacGowan's death in 2023 and featuring guest vocalists alongside core members Stacy, , and . The Pogues, with Stacy as a founding member, pioneered Celtic punk, influencing subsequent acts by merging Irish folk elements like tin whistle with punk's raw urgency, as evidenced by their role in shaping the genre's fusion sound. In recent interviews, Stacy has reflected on the band's legacy, describing punk's liberating ethos—"all you had to do was acquire an instrument, plug it in, and see what you could come up with"—as central to their enduring impact on music scenes blending tradition and rebellion.

Collaborations and projects beyond The Pogues

Following the initial disbandment of The Pogues in 1996, Spider Stacy contributed guest vocals to Shane MacGowan's solo projects, including appearances on the 1997 album Crock of Gold, marking a transitional phase in his career without pursuing major solo releases of his own. Stacy's most prominent ongoing collaboration outside The Pogues began in 2010 with the Grammy-winning Cajun band Lost Bayou Ramblers, blending his and vocal style with their roots music. This partnership culminated in the "" project, launched in 2015, which reimagined Pogues songs in a Cajun-infused style through live performances across the U.S., including shows at New Orleans Jazz Fest and venues like . The collaboration expanded in 2020 with additional recordings and tours featuring former bassist , further bridging Anglo-Irish punk folk with American traditions. In 2017, Stacy participated in the multimedia project Waywords and Meansigns, providing musical interpretations of James Joyce's Finnegans Wake as part of a global effort to set the novel's text to audio and experimental soundscapes, drawing on his Celtic punk background to contribute tin whistle elements. Stacy has also taken on curatorial roles in recent years, organizing the 40th anniversary performance of The Pogues' debut album Red Roses for Me at Dublin's 3Arena in December 2024, which featured guest appearances by Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten on "Streams of Whiskey" alongside surviving Pogues members Jem Finer and James Fearnley. In 2025, he co-curated the Seisiún festival, a two-day Irish music and cultural event at Boston's Suffolk Downs, highlighting emerging and established acts in the folk-punk tradition. Stacy's recent activities include reflective interviews, such as his July 2025 feature in SPIN magazine's "5 Albums I Can't Live Without," where he discussed formative influences like and traditional Irish folk records. He has also appeared on Spotify-distributed podcasts, including Logan Sounds Off in March 2025, sharing insights into his career trajectory and collaborations, and Second Captains Saturday in July 2025, touching on personal anecdotes from his musical journey.

Acting career

Film roles

Spider Stacy made his acting debut in the late 1980s through collaborations with director , leveraging his background as a in to secure roles that often incorporated musical elements and punk sensibilities. In the 1987 Western parody Straight to Hell, Stacy portrayed the character Angel Eyes McMahon, a gunslinger in a surreal desert town populated by outlaws, blending his on-screen performance with live musical contributions from . That same year, he took on a supporting role as Davenport in Cox's historical satire Walker, depicting the exploits of 19th-century William Walker in , where Stacy's character added to the film's chaotic ensemble of mercenaries and revolutionaries. Additionally, Stacy appeared in a cameo as a band member in the 1987 political satire Eat the Rich, directed by Peter Richardson, performing in a scene that highlighted the ethos central to his persona. Stacy's later film work shifted toward independent and experimental projects, continuing to intertwine acting with musical themes reflective of his Celtic punk roots. He contributed musically to the 2011 Irish drama Between the Canals, a gritty portrayal of Dublin's criminal underbelly. He took on multiple roles—Leopold Bloom, The Wreaths, and Stephen Dedalus—in the 2022 short film The Ulysses Project, an avant-garde adaptation of James Joyce's Ulysses featuring over 85 actors in a rapid, stream-of-consciousness narrative set in modern Dublin. Earlier, in the 2009 short Do You Love Me Like I Love You? (Part 3: Kicking Against the Pricks), part of a series accompanying Nick Cave's album reissues, Stacy appeared as himself, discussing and performing tracks in a documentary-style exploration of music and influence. Throughout these roles, Stacy's performances frequently drew on his musical expertise, embodying punk aesthetics in narratives that explored , identity, and cultural fringes, marking a natural extension of his career in .

Television appearances

Spider Stacy's most notable television role came in the HBO series Treme (2010–2013), where he portrayed James "Slim Jim" Lynch, a London-born street and player, in three episodes across seasons two and three. His character's involvement in New Orleans' post-Hurricane Katrina music scene highlighted and folk crossovers, reflecting Stacy's own immersion in the city's vibrant musical after relocating there part-time in 2010. This appearance, including cameos in episodes nine and ten of season two alongside , drew on Stacy's expertise as a performer, blending his with authentic musical contributions. The role underscored themes of cultural fusion in the series, created by and , with Stacy's character embodying an expatriate musician navigating the city's recovery through performance. In 2021, Stacy made a brief appearance in the / miniseries , serving as a member of the London Ballroom Band in the first episode. This musical ensemble role aligned with the series' pre-World War II setting, adapted from Nancy Mitford's novel, and featured Stacy alongside musicians like Jim Sclavunos and Nikolaj Torp Larsen.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Spider Stacy has been married to his wife, Louise, since October 2006. The couple first met in the mid-1990s through mutual connections in the music scene, with Louise having worked in the industry prior to their relationship. They maintain a private family life, sharing their home with two cats named Bennie and Murph. There is no public information available regarding children or past significant relationships in Stacy's adult life. His marriage to Louise has provided a stable personal foundation amid the demands of his musical career, including extensive touring that occasionally strained their time together.

Residences and later activities

Spider Stacy has maintained a primary residence in , —though raised in the nearby area—and continues to base much of his life there, alongside a part-time home in New Orleans since 2010. He purchased a home in New Orleans in March 2010, and his connection to the city deepened with a small role as James 'Slim Jim' Lynch in the series Treme (2011-2012), which deepened his connection to the city's vibrant . Stacy splits his time between these locations with his long-term partner Louise, whom he has been with since 1995, allowing flexibility for both personal and occasional professional commitments. In recent years, Stacy has adopted a semi-retired lifestyle, focusing on selective touring rather than full-time performance schedules. This includes his participation in The Pogues' 2025 40th anniversary tour celebrating the album Rum Sodomy & the Lash, marking the band's first North American dates in 13 years and featuring original members like Stacy, , and . The tour, which began in September 2025 with stops in , , , and , reflects a renewed energy post the band's hiatus. Following the death of Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan in November 2023, Stacy has reflected on the band's legacy in several 2025 interviews, describing the resurrection of The Pogues as a way to honor MacGowan's influence while adapting to a new dynamic without him. He has spoken of the emotional adjustments in the post-MacGowan era, emphasizing the tour's role in celebrating their shared history and the timeless appeal of their music amid personal grief. These discussions often highlight his dual life between the UK and US, underscoring how living across continents has enriched his perspective on the band's enduring impact. Stacy remains tied to New Orleans' music scene through informal community connections, including interactions with local Irish expat circles and Cajun musicians, fostering a sense of belonging without formal activism. His presence in the city since 2010 has allowed for ongoing engagement with its eclectic cultural fabric, complementing his roots.

References

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  2. https://magnetmagazine.com/2011/05/02/qa-with-the-pogues-spider-stacy/
  3. https://online.berklee.edu/takenote/spider-stacy-talks-pogues-playing-with-lost-bayou-ramblers-of-new-orleans-a-fairytale-of-new-york-and-more/
  4. https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/music-news/the-pogues-spider-stacy-punk-was-liberating-all-you-had-to-do-was-acquire-an-instrument-plug-it-in-and-see-what-you-could-come-up-with/a1765033009.html
  5. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0821097/
  6. https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/keith_spera/in-poguetry-the-pogues-spider-stacy-finds-common-ground-with-the-lost-bayou-ramblers/article_46cdbc5c-58c0-11ea-a1a4-8fc15cc4c7a7.html
  7. https://spillmagazine.com/spill-feature-a-great-thing-to-have-looming-a-conversation-with-the-pogues-spider-stacy/
  8. https://vanyaland.com/2025/09/05/back-in-seisiun-spider-stacy-on-resurrecting-the-pogues/
  9. http://www.pogues.com/PastPogues/SStacy/SStacy.html
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  11. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/the-pogues-spider-stacy-punk-was-liberating-all-you-had-to-do-was-acquire-an-instrument-plug-it-in-and-see-what-you-could-come-up-with/a1541817503.html
  12. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42701430
  13. https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-pogues-spider-stacy-pays-tribute-to-shane-macgowan-heroes-live-forever-3578683
  14. https://www.hotpress.com/music/the-pogues-spider-stacy-we-just-want-to-go-out-there-do-the-songs-proud-do-shane-proud-and-give-everybody-a-good-night-and-a-great-start-to-christmas-23058600
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/3667444-The-Pogues-Red-Roses-For-Me
  16. https://www.uncut.co.uk/features/the-pogues-shane-macgowan-greatest-albums-150732/
  17. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/pogues-fairytale-of-new-york/
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-fascinating-chart-history-of-the-pogues-fairytale-of-new-york/
  19. https://www.coopertalk.net/e/spider-stacy-from-the-pogues-episode-1047/
  20. http://www.concertlivewire.com/interviews/spiderint.htm
  21. https://www.steveearle.net/biblio/ifishouldfallfromgrace.php
  22. https://americansongwriter.com/the-pogues-reunite-for-40th-anniversary-north-american-tour/
  23. https://www.irishcentral.com/events/the-pogues-2025
  24. https://www.nika.si/Izvajalci/POGUES/
  25. https://thequietus.com/interviews/bakers-dozen/pogues-gallery-spider-stacys-favourite-albums/
  26. https://www.americanbluesscene.com/2020/01/pogues-spider-stacy-on-crafting-poguetry-with-lost-bayou-ramblers/
  27. https://www.waywordsandmeansigns.com/artists/spider-stacy/
  28. https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/fontaines-dc-singer-grian-chatten-performs-surviving-members-pogues-dublin-1235860486/
  29. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/fontaines-d-c-grian-chatten-pogues-streams-of-whiskey-1235210232/
  30. https://www.spin.com/2025/07/5-albums-i-cant-live-without-spider-stacy-of-the-pogues/
  31. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/logansoundsoff/episodes/Spider-Stacy-Interview-Life-with-The-Pogues-and-the-music-that-shaped-him--Logan-Sounds-Off-e3030sl
  32. https://open.spotify.com/episode/2QJl7ijFGWAzsc93BkDFv4
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  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10556338/fullcredits/
  39. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the-pursuit-of-love/episodes/1/1/
  40. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/28/lifestyle/vip-lounge-spider-stacy/
  41. https://thepopbreak.com/2025/09/12/spider-ryan-of-the-pogues-on-the-40th-anniversary-of-rum-sodomy-the-lash-the-brilliance-of-shane-macgowan-their-north-american-tour/
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  43. https://thechroniclesofmc.com/2025/09/06/spider-stacy-on-resurrecting-the-pogues-working-with-joe-strummer-and-the-spectre-of-shane-macgowan/
  44. https://waltermartin.substack.com/p/spider-stacy-interview-the-pogues
  45. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/music/pogues-spider-stacy-teams-up-with-lost-bayou-ramblers-for-poguetry/article_cc73c87b-7ee7-53f8-bd9f-c125b6e89cf0.html
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