the pogues and flogging molly
 

so i had an enormous argument with a friend of mine whether flogging molly was a pogues rip off (i still really like them) or whether they were incredibly original. not that these are particularly sonic youthy bands but could i please see some further support for my side

the pogues started in the late 70's and flogging molly started in the 90's.

the pogues at their prime really get into the essence of irish folk music (or their interpretation of it) for the most part, using the typical instrumentation to accentuate that essence. and flogging molly, while having a couple of good songs, always seem to me like they are always playing the same song.

and that song is also played a whole lot by the dropkick murphys and the swinging utters

but the pogues still had more of a punk edge than traditional irish folk music. this is what really influenced bands like flogging molly, hence the reason i don't find them to be startingly original

it totally got over my head!!! i forgot to mention the punk edge, you are right. if it was just irish folk stuff, then they wouldn't be special.

the fact is, the pogues pioneered that sound and bands like flogging molly took that sound and ran with it. maybe they can write some good songs or maybe not, but they can't be said to be original

ah why thank you. that gives me some closure on a wildly frusturating argument. you just earned yourself some rep points

I remember The Pogues being referred to as 'cowpunk', if that's any help. Their first two LP's ('Red Roses For Me' and 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash') are excellent, but I felt that the early edge was lost after that. I've never heard Flogging Molly.

cowpunk was a term used for bands who played country music with a basis in punk. bands associated with this genre were the mekons, tex and the horseheads, the plugz, the hickoids and the screaming sirens, of which i've heard none of those bands.

thanks for the rep points!!!!!

the swinging utters played this

I don't like either. That is all.

You haven't really heard much from Dropkick Murphys or $wingin' utter$....Have you....Flogging Molly uses traditional irish instruments in all their songs.......Dropkick uses bagpipes once in a while, but are primarily a punk band.......Swingin' Utters are a very cool punk rock band with a touch of celtic influence.
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I do believe The Pogues were an influence to Flogging Molly.....but Flogging Molly uses distorted guitars and has more of a punk flavor. They are not ripping off The Pogues.
Flogging Molly put on one of the best live performances I have ever seen.