The Undertones

The Undertones are a rock band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1975. The original band consisted of:

Related Topics:
Derry - Northern Ireland - 1975

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• Feargal Sharkey (lead vocals),
• John O'Neill (guitar),
• Damian O'Neill (guitar, keyboards and vocals),
• Michael Bradley (bass and vocals), and
• Billy Doherty (drums).

John O'Neill was the original main song writer, with his brother Damian and Mickey Bradley writing in various solo & combined variations for most of the remainder.

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Sharkey's power pop tenor was distinctive, and the band regarded a tight ensemble. By 1977 they were performing their own three-chord pop punk material influenced by -type material and the Ramones, and in 1978 released their debut four-song EP Teenage Kicks on Good Vibrations. It became a hit with support from DJ John Peel, who considered that EP's title song his all-time favourite. The song has been covered by many including boyband Busted (at the 2003 Brit Awards) and French band Nouvelle Vague.

Related Topics:
Power pop - 1977 - Pop punk - Ramones - 1978 - John Peel - Boyband - Busted - Brit Awards - French - Nouvelle Vague

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They have released five studio albums: The Undertones (1979), Hypnotised (1980), Positive Touch (1981) The Sin Of Pride (1983) and Get What You Need (2003). A new album is expected in 2005. Falling sales linked to their changing musical direction and tensions within the band, leading to their temporary split in 1983. A compilation album titled All Wrapped Up featured a woman dressed in lunch meats wrapped in clear plastic on the (non band approved) cover. Several other compilations including the superb BBC sessions CD Listening In (named after a song on their first album) (2004) exist.

Related Topics:
1979 - 1980 - 1981 - 1983 - 2003 - 2004

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In 1999, the band re-formed with Feargal Sharkey replaced by former Carralines singer Paul McLoone when Sharkey refused to participate. After touring, the band released a new album, Get What You Need, in 2003.

Related Topics:
1999 - 2003

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The Undertones: Singles ►