Shane MacGowan Irish in London and the United States, and London life in general. These influences are documented in the biography, "Rake at the Gates of Hell: Shane MacGowan in Context". MacGowan has often cited the 19th-century Irish poet James Clarence Mangan and playwright Brendan Behan as influences. Between 1985 and 1987, he co-wrote "Fairytale of New York", which he performed with Kirsty MacColl. In the coming years MacGowan and The Pogues released several albums. In 1997, MacGowan appeared on Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", covered by numerous artists in aid of Children in Need. It was the UK's number one single for
Shane MacGowan and Irish culture. "Shaman Shane — The Wounded Healer" by Stephan Martin brands Shane as a latter-day London-Irish spirit-raiser and exorcist. This commentary is found in the book "Myth of Return — The Paintings of Brian Whelan and Collected Commentaries". London Irish artist Brian Whelan paints Shane (for example "Boy From The County Hell"), his works are featured on Shane's official website, and is also the illustrator of The Popes "Outlaw Heaven" cover. About his future with The Pogues, in a 24 December 2015 interview with "Vice" magazine, when the interviewer asked whether the band were still active, Shane MacGowan