Shane MacGowan says The Pogues are no longer together.

Shane MacGowan

Shane MacGowan

The 58-year-old frontman says the 'Fairytale of New York' hitmakers - consisting of Spider Stacy, Jem Finer and James Fearnley - aren't active as a group and even grew to "hate each other" after they reformed in 2001.

Asked if they are still together, he said: "We're not, no."

The band - also including Andrew Ranken, Darryl Hunt and Terry Woods - reunited Christmas 2001 and went on to play shows in the UK and Ireland right up until 2013.

And while the Irish rocker said the band members are still close pals of his, he added that he'll only maintain their friendship as long aren't on the road together, as they get "sick of each other" when they tour.

Expanding on why the band fell apart, he told Vice: "They'd grown to hate each other all over again.

"I don't hate the band at all - they're friends. I like them a lot. We were friends for years before we joined the band. We just got a bit sick of each other. We're friends as long as we don't tour together. I've done a hell of a lot of touring. I've had enough of it."


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