Biography
Philip Chevron, a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, fused Ireland’s musical heritage with punk’s abrasive drive. Previously associated with the Pogues and the Radiators, he distinguished himself as an uncommon interpreter of material by Berthold Brecht and Kurt Weill. The child of an actor and theatrical producer, he first drew inspiration from the cabaret style of Agnes Bernelle after encountering her recordings on the radio in 1971; years later he produced one of her albums.
Attracted to the punk surge of the mid-1970s, Chevron united with Pete Holidai and Steve Rapid to launch the Radiators from Space, counted among Ireland’s earliest punk groups. Their opening single, “Television Screen,” appeared in 1977 and reached number 17 on the Irish charts. Following Steve Rapid’s exit, Chevron stepped into the lead-vocal role.
The band’s standing suffered after an audience member was killed at a Dublin punk festival the Radiators from Space had organized. Relocating to London and shortening the name to the Radiators failed to reverse their fortunes; their second album, Ghostown, remained unreleased for nearly a year. Although it earned enthusiastic notices upon its eventual appearance, momentum had already slipped away and the group disbanded soon afterward.
Chevron entered the Pogues in 1985, securing international attention through landmark recordings such as Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985) and If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), for which he wrote “Thousands Are Sailing.” He also contributed to the band’s first post-Shane MacGowan release, 1993’s Waiting for Herb, before leaving the following year. During the new millennium he took part in tours, concerts, and festival dates with the reunited Pogues, yet underwent treatment for head and neck cancer in 2007. Although later declared cancer-free, the illness returned and caused his death in October 2013.
Attracted to the punk surge of the mid-1970s, Chevron united with Pete Holidai and Steve Rapid to launch the Radiators from Space, counted among Ireland’s earliest punk groups. Their opening single, “Television Screen,” appeared in 1977 and reached number 17 on the Irish charts. Following Steve Rapid’s exit, Chevron stepped into the lead-vocal role.
The band’s standing suffered after an audience member was killed at a Dublin punk festival the Radiators from Space had organized. Relocating to London and shortening the name to the Radiators failed to reverse their fortunes; their second album, Ghostown, remained unreleased for nearly a year. Although it earned enthusiastic notices upon its eventual appearance, momentum had already slipped away and the group disbanded soon afterward.
Chevron entered the Pogues in 1985, securing international attention through landmark recordings such as Rum Sodomy & the Lash (1985) and If I Should Fall from Grace with God (1988), for which he wrote “Thousands Are Sailing.” He also contributed to the band’s first post-Shane MacGowan release, 1993’s Waiting for Herb, before leaving the following year. During the new millennium he took part in tours, concerts, and festival dates with the reunited Pogues, yet underwent treatment for head and neck cancer in 2007. Although later declared cancer-free, the illness returned and caused his death in October 2013.