Jem Finer

Finer was born in Stoke-on-Trent, England, the son of political scientist Samuel Finer. He took a joint degree in computing and sociology at Keele University. After college, he travelled around Europe and spent some time working on a barge in France.[citation needed] He settled in London, where he met Shane MacGowan, Spider Stacy, and James Fearnley with whom he founded The Pogues. He has worked in a variety of fields, including photography, film, experimental and popular music and installation.

Primarily a banjoist with the Pogues, he occasionally played other instruments including mandola, saxophone, hurdy-gurdy and the guitar. Apart from MacGowan (with whom he co-wrote several songs, including “Fairytale of New York”), Finer was the most prolific composer for the band.[citation needed]

He appeared on all the band’s albums until their breakup in 1996; he was one of only three original members. During that time he also appeared on MacGowan’s solo album The Snake and The Levellers’ self-titled release; he continued working as a musician and composer after leaving The Pogues.