Thrash metal icons Gama Bomb have released a magnificent cover of classic “If I Should Fall From Grace With God” from The Pogues. What makes it more interesting is that it features The Pogues’ own Spider Stacy on guest vocals.
Watch the video on YouTube:
Gama Bomb’s vocalist Philly Byrne comments:
“The Pogues were my musical awakening. When I was a wee boy, I shared a bedroom with four of my brothers. I’d sit on the floor between the beds, staring at the sleeves for ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God’ and ‘Rum, Sodomy And The Lash’ while my brother played them on vinyl.
“We don’t really ‘do’ covers, but we always discussed ‘If I Should Fall’… as one to keep in the back pocket. When we finally made a demo, I took a punt and sent it to Spider, literally just slid into his DMs on Instagram. I said, ‘Hey, we’re this metal band from Ireland; we love The Pogues; we hate fascists; we did this—Do you wanna get involved?’ To his eternal credit, he listened to it right away and replied ‘Absofuckinlutely!’ It’s been a huge privilege to work and hang out with him. The lesson here is, don’t be afraid to DM your heroes—Just be nice.”
Spider Stacy comments:
“So there I was, just scrolling the insta, as you do, when I see this DM. ‘What’s this?’ I ask myself. ‘Why, it’s Gama Bomb from Newry, a city famed in song and story as the birthplace of the great Pat Jennings, with a thrash metal version of ‘If I Should Fall From Grace With God.’ Do they want me to appear on it? They do? Praise Jesus! Maybe I’ll finally make it on to the pages of ‘Kerrang!’ And just look at me now – made it, Ma. Top of the world!’ And that’s a true story, I swear down.”
The video was shot entirely on a location in Abney Park Cemetery, London. According to the press release:
“The video and cover is a homage to The Pogues’ London Irish roots. A gift to Gama Bomb’s fans in time for St. Patrick’s Day, the cover is the fastest song Spider has ever recorded, in true thrash fashion.”
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Photo courtesy of Kiran Acharya
