Shane MacGowan, former singer with Irish folk-rockers the Pogues, suffered facial injuries during a beating in a central London pub, a British newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Evening Standard said MacGowan, 46, was attacked Monday by two men in the Joiners Arms pub.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the motive for the assault was unknown. Two men, ages 20 and 21, were questioned, released on bail and ordered to return later this month.

Formed in London in the early 1980s, the Pogues produced an original blend of melodic Irish folk and spiky punk rock. MacGowan left the group in 1991 to pursue a solo career.