Jamie, You used to work with Joey, maybe you'd kindly agree to share your memoirs? When Joey was around i was mostly a guitar roadie. And he was my "boss" so to speak. I always got on with him very well...We often went out together after shows (being single - like him. And trying to get a leg over - he always had more success there ! . My biggest memory was his silver suitcase full of loads of money.. In all currencies.. Just like Peter Grant !! And of course, knocking on your hotel door in the middle of the night looking for condoms... Did you know Joey before The Pogues? No How did you team up with the band? I worked in a music complex where there storage space was... Got friendly with Big Charlie <MacLennan>... After they came back from the US tour with Joe <Strummer> singing Paul McGuiness left as roadie and they asked me to take his place.. And I joined as tech for the euro tour October 91. And then stayed for a few years. Joey was my "boss" if you like. Aha, he said he had come to change strings, in 1986, during St.Pat gigs in T&C. And then grew to manager. Yep...Darryl too ! Darryl grew up into bass player. Strings seem to be a great start for your career Yep... I guess its quite common... Because loads of Roadies are musicians trying to make it but having mates who already have... Or who need the cash ! Did you play in bands before The Pogues? Yeah - I was in a band for years... We were an 80's alternative pop band signed to Atlantic records USA with Queens� managers.. Loads of cash and funny hair cuts... I was in that band for 7 years before it ran out of steam... Played everywhere with everyone. And still didn't make it. Was totally serious stuff. Thats why meeting the Pogues was such a breath of fresh air for me... People who actually smiled onstage ! So back to you work for The Pogues, under Joey.. Was it after they had parted with Frank Murray and Joey took the helm? Yes. I was supposed to do guitars. But Charlie had made a mistake and had booked 2 guitar roadies. So I was put on drums. Hhad no clue what I was doing and in the end was just rolling joints for Joe+Charlie+Jem+Andrew etc.. So it didn't really matter... But then Paul McGuinness was back? Coz he definitely was around in 1993 and took part in Letterman show with Spider (autumn 1993)? That�s right. I left in 1993 to start playing again in my own band. I was with them right up to the recording of Waiting for herb - and then started my own band - of course I still helped out every now and again... Just like Paul.. The main roadie at that time was a guy called Julian. And on the Waiting for herb UK tour Brian Robbertson was also helping out! I heard a story that at Nottingham Rock City backstage after the show that there were fans with Thin Lizzy albums for Robbo to sign instead of fans for Pogues autographs !� And in 1994 you stepped in for Philip, even before his official resignation? Yes.. Another typical pogues story...Was supposed to be just five shows in Portugal.. Its was James McNally�s and Big Charlie�s idea... They told me when I was in the bath at Filthy McNasties... Amazing experience having Big Charlie sitting at the end of your bath when you come up from rinsing your hair.. Being sure that you locked the door ! Of course... I knew everybody well so it was just another easy family thing for the pogues - least i assume so - you always got that feeling...Which is what was so good about them in my opinion. Oh - and it was only 2 or 3 days before the tour. And nobody wanted to rehearse... But at least I knew the songs by then. They say there was certain tension between Joey and Big Charlie? Joey himself sounds like he�s not carried away with the guy.. Dunno... Not Sure really... They were both characters. I am sure they were kinda mates.. How was/is Joey as a manager? James Fearnley once called him a motherlode of resourcefulness.. Dunno.. I am sure he was ok...Wouldn't say he goes down in the history books though... Certainly tough enough when needed I would say... No matter what the popes say about that ...also... I am sure he was better with the Pogues than with the Popes... More band members kicking ass... And how did he pass custom with his silver suitcase? Smiled through dark glasses and Irish charm... Was he never married? Coz one of my correspondents once mentioned his son.. Don�t know. He has a son called Joey... Was of course a baby the last time I saw him... I knew the mother... She was a friend... Also nice.. Who knows how many other children he has around the world !! It contradicts your condoms story : ) yep...but i guess you don�t know if there was always someone in the next hotel room with some... Or nobody bothered to open ? Exactly |
| Jamie Clarke of Jamie Clarke�s Perfect, ex-Pogues guitarist and ex-Pogues roadie on his life with The Pogues in general and on Joey Cashman in particular: |
| 2008 Sincere thanks to Jamie Clarke for the talk http://www.homeofperfect.de, http://www.myspace.com/jamieclarkesperfect |