Ongoing History Daily: The Pogues’ signing bonus

There are many stories about the Pogues, the punky Irish band with the dentally-challenged Shane McGowan down front.  One of the best has to do with how they were signed to their first record contract.  In the early 80s, several labels were interested in signing the Pogues, but no one seemed to be able to negotiate a deal with them. 

Then Stiff Records got involved.  They dealt with the Pogues on their level—which is to say in the pub.  Eventually, the Pogues signed with Stiff.  And you wanna know what the Pogues demanded as a signing bonus?  Half a case of Guinness beer. 

They got it–and Stiff got their deal.