Praises have rang out for their previous album “Outlaw Heaven” :
‘A batch of songs dripping with the need to be heard. It’s a chaotic, red-blooded mix of punk, rockabilly, Celtic and country surging to ferocious peaks’ Uncut. ‘This is what The Waterboys would have sounded like had Mike Scott sipped from the streams of whiskey. A true rough diamond’ The Guardian. ‘The most warm, celebratory and downright mortal LP you’ll likely to hear in 2009’ Clash Magazine.

The Popes return with their new album in March 2012 – the follow up to 2009’s critically acclaimed “Outlaw Heaven”. “New Church” is the band’s strongest album to date - from punked up blitzkreig of opener “Storming Heaven” to the rousing Celtic tones of “How Many Bullets”, from the feelgood anthem that is “Alice” to the Bond theme-esque vibe of the brooding “In A Broken Dream”. The album also features a stunning guest slot from Howard Marks on “Throw Down Your Aces”. The album was produced by The Popes.

The band are an established live draw. March 2012 will see them on a full UK tour as main support to The Stranglers. With festivals and further dates to follow later in the year.

Shane MacGowan formed The Popes to record his album 'The Snake' in 1994 after leaving The Pogues. The band released two studio albums and a live album with Shane but have gone onto record a further three albums with Paul (Mad Dog) McGuiness taking charge of lead vocals. “New Church” is the bands fourth album. The current line up of The Popes are Paul (Mad Dog) McGuinness - Guitar and Vocals, Charlie Hoskyns - Guitars and Backing Vocals, Will Morrison - Drums and Backing Vocals, Dave Allen – Fiddle and Backing Vocals, Jim McAllister – Bass and Backing Vocals and Whiskey Mick – Mandolin and Backing Vocals. Full UK dates (with The Stranglers) below – all March 2012:

Thursday 1st           Leeds O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Friday 2nd               Dunfermline Alhambra 0844 499 9990
Saturday 3rd           Glasgow O2 Academy 0844 499 9990
Monday 5th            Liverpool O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Tuesday 6th           Nottingham Rock City 0845 413 4444
Thursday 8th          Cambridge Corn Exchange 01223 357 851
Friday 9th               London Roundhouse 0844 482 8008
Saturday 10th         Birmingham O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Sunday 11th           Exeter Phoenix  01392 667080 – (Headline)
Monday 12th          Oxford O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Tuesday 13th          Portsmouth Pyramid 02392 824 355
Wednesday 14th     Bedford Esquires www.bedfordesquires.com  (Headline)
Thursday 15th         Lincoln Engine Shed 0844 8888 766
Friday 16th             Brighton Dome 01273 709 709
Saturday 17th         Bristol O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Monday 19th           Leamington Spa Assembly 0844 854 1358
Tuesday 20th         Guildford G Live 0844 770 1797
Wednesday 21st     York  The Duchess 08444 77 1000 (Headline)
Thursday 22nd        Newcastle O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Friday 23rd              Sheffield O2 Academy 0844 477 2000
Saturday 24th         Manchester Academy 0161 832 1111

For Stranglers tour tickets priced £23 except London £26 subject to booking fee. Please purchase tickets at www.ents24.com

www.thepopesofficialsite.com