The Undertones, one of Northern Ireland’s most beloved punk bands, burst onto the music scene in the late 1970s, offering an irreverent, energetic, and refreshingly simple antidote to the political and social tensions of the time. Formed in the city of Derry, The Undertones became icons of youthful rebellion, with their songs about everyday teenage life, love, and boredom standing in stark contrast to the darker, more aggressive music being made by many of their punk contemporaries. They blended catchy pop sensibilities with punk’s DIY ethos, carving out a space that felt both personal and universal. This article delves into the history of The Undertones, their musical journey, and their enduring legacy.
The Origins of The Undertones
Derry in the 1970s was a city embroiled in the violence and unrest of The Troubles, a conflict between unionists and nationalists in Northern Ireland. Against this turbulent backdrop, The Undertones were formed by five school friends: Feargal Sharkey (vocals), John O’Neill (guitar), his brother Damian O’Neill (guitar), Michael Bradley (bass), and Billy Doherty (drums). Initially influenced by the glam rock of the early 1970s—artists like David Bowie, T. Rex, and Slade—the group soon found themselves captivated by the burgeoning punk movement. Bands such as The Ramones and The Buzzcocks offered a raw energy that resonated with the teenagers, and by 1976, The Undertones were ready to start making their own noise.
In many ways, the band’s formation was a reaction to their environment. While much of the media attention on Northern Ireland focused on sectarian violence, The Undertones used music as a way to escape, focusing on the universality of teenage experiences rather than the divisive politics of the time. As bassist Michael Bradley later explained, “We didn’t really write political songs. Our songs were about girls and chocolate and crisps and pop, because that was what we were interested in.”
Early Days and “Teenage Kicks”
The Undertones’ early gigs were chaotic but exhilarating affairs. Playing small venues in and around Derry, the band quickly developed a following thanks to their relentless energy and catchy, three-minute pop-punk anthems. Their first break came when they recorded four tracks for a demo tape in 1977. This demo would eventually catch the ear of John Peel, the influential BBC Radio 1 DJ known for championing new and obscure music.
Peel’s support would prove pivotal. In 1978, after hearing The Undertones’ song “Teenage Kicks,” Peel famously declared it his favorite song of all time, and his repeated airplay helped launch the band into the wider public consciousness. The song’s success led to the band signing with Sire Records, and their eponymous debut album, The Undertones, was released later that year.
“Teenage Kicks” was the perfect introduction to the band. Clocking in at just over two minutes, the song is a fast-paced, exuberant ode to the intensity of teenage emotions. Its simple, unpretentious lyrics—”I wanna hold her, wanna hold her tight / Get teenage kicks right through the night”—resonated with listeners across the UK and beyond. The combination of Sharkey’s distinctive, high-pitched vocals and the band’s tight, guitar-driven sound created an instant classic, and “Teenage Kicks” has remained one of the most enduring songs of the era.
From Punk to Pop: The Evolution of The Undertones’ Sound
While The Undertones’ early work was heavily influenced by punk, their sound gradually evolved as they gained more experience in the studio and on the road. Their second album, Hypnotised (1980), still featured the fast-paced, punk-influenced tracks that fans had come to love, but it also showcased the band’s growing interest in pop melodies and more complex arrangements.
Songs like “My Perfect Cousin” and “Wednesday Week” demonstrated a shift toward a more polished, radio-friendly sound, while still retaining the band’s trademark wit and charm. “My Perfect Cousin,” for example, is a humorous take on sibling rivalry, with Sharkey lamenting his cousin’s overachievements, while “Wednesday Week” is a bittersweet pop song about a faltering teenage romance.
The Undertones’ ability to blend punk energy with pop hooks set them apart from many of their contemporaries. While bands like The Clash and The Sex Pistols were making politically charged statements, The Undertones focused on the personal, exploring the highs and lows of adolescence with a sincerity that endeared them to a wide audience. Their music captured the spirit of teenage life—messy, confusing, and exhilarating all at once.
The Influence of The Undertones on Punk and Pop
Though often associated with the punk movement, The Undertones’ influence extended beyond the confines of punk rock. Their knack for crafting catchy, concise songs with relatable lyrics inspired a generation of musicians, particularly those in the burgeoning indie and alternative scenes. The Undertones proved that punk didn’t have to be angry or nihilistic; it could be fun, melodic, and accessible without sacrificing its edge.
The band’s ability to bridge the gap between punk and pop had a lasting impact on both genres. In the 1980s and beyond, bands like The Smiths, The Housemartins, and even the more mainstream likes of Blur and Oasis would take cues from The Undertones’ blend of energy and melody. In many ways, The Undertones helped lay the groundwork for the rise of Britpop in the 1990s, which would bring a renewed focus on the importance of songwriting and melody in rock music.
The Undertones were also pioneers of the DIY ethic that would come to define much of the punk and indie scenes. From their self-released debut single to their willingness to bypass political topics in favor of personal storytelling, the band demonstrated that you didn’t have to conform to the expectations of the industry or the zeitgeist to succeed. Their ethos of staying true to themselves, even when it meant bucking the trends of the time, would inspire countless bands in the years to come.
Breakup and Reunion
Despite their early success, The Undertones’ time in the spotlight was relatively short-lived. After the release of their third album, Positive Touch (1981), which marked another step towards a more sophisticated pop sound, tensions within the band began to rise. Feargal Sharkey, whose distinctive voice had been such a key part of the band’s identity, began to feel constrained by the group’s increasingly pop-oriented direction. By 1983, after the release of The Sin of Pride, The Undertones decided to call it quits.
Sharkey went on to pursue a solo career, scoring hits in the mid-1980s with songs like “A Good Heart” and “You Little Thief.” Meanwhile, the O’Neill brothers and drummer Billy Doherty formed a new band, That Petrol Emotion, which explored more experimental territory, incorporating elements of post-punk, funk, and dance music.
For nearly two decades, it seemed as though The Undertones were a thing of the past. But in 1999, the band reunited—minus Sharkey, who declined to return—and recruited Paul McLoone as their new lead vocalist. The reunion was initially intended as a one-off tour, but the response from fans was so overwhelming that the band decided to continue, releasing two new albums in the 2000s, Get What You Need (2003) and Dig Yourself Deep (2007).
Though the reunited band never achieved the same level of commercial success as they had in their heyday, their return was a triumph in terms of artistic integrity and fan devotion. Paul McLoone brought his own style to the band’s classic songs while staying true to their original spirit, and The Undertones continued to tour and perform to enthusiastic audiences around the world.
Legacy and Enduring Appeal
Today, The Undertones are remembered as one of the most important bands to emerge from Northern Ireland, and their music continues to resonate with new generations of listeners. Their ability to capture the essence of teenage life—the longing, the frustration, the excitement—ensures that their songs remain timeless. Whether it’s the raucous energy of “Teenage Kicks” or the wistful nostalgia of “Wednesday Week,” The Undertones’ music taps into universal emotions that transcend time and place.
The enduring appeal of The Undertones can also be attributed to their authenticity. In an era when many bands were eager to align themselves with political causes or adopt a confrontational stance, The Undertones remained true to their own experiences, writing songs that reflected their lives as working-class teenagers in a divided city. Their refusal to be pigeonholed or co-opted by outside forces allowed them to create music that felt genuine and relatable, and that authenticity continues to draw listeners to their work.
In 2021, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Hypnotised, The Undertones reissued the album, reminding fans old and new of their lasting impact on the music world. While the band’s lineup may have changed over the years, their commitment to creating joyful, unpretentious music remains as strong as ever.
Discography
Here is a detailed discography of The Undertones, covering their studio albums, live albums, compilations, and notable singles. The band’s music captures the essence of teenage angst, joy, and energy, and their body of work remains influential in punk and pop-punk genres.
Studio Albums
- The Undertones (1979)
- The debut album, released by Sire Records, was a defining moment for the band. It includes the legendary single “Teenage Kicks,” a song that John Peel famously described as his all-time favorite.
- Notable Tracks: “Teenage Kicks,” “Here Comes the Summer,” “Jimmy Jimmy,” “Get Over You.”
- Hypnotised (1980)
- Their second album saw the band refining their pop-punk sound while adding more depth to their songwriting. It includes fan favorites and continued their chart success.
- Notable Tracks: “My Perfect Cousin,” “Wednesday Week,” “Tearproof,” “Girls That Don’t Talk.”
- Positive Touch (1981)
- This album marked a shift towards a more mature and experimental sound, incorporating elements of post-punk and new wave. Though it didn’t achieve the same commercial success as its predecessors, it remains a critical favorite.
- Notable Tracks: “Julie Ocean,” “It’s Going to Happen!,” “The Positive Touch.”
- The Sin of Pride (1983)
- The final album before their breakup in the 1980s, The Sin of Pride was heavily influenced by soul and Motown, diverging from the punk-pop of their earlier work. Despite its sophisticated sound, the album didn’t perform well commercially.
- Notable Tracks: “The Love Parade,” “Got to Have You Back,” “Chain of Love.”
- Get What You Need (2003)
- After reuniting in 1999 without Feargal Sharkey, the band released this album with new vocalist Paul McLoone. It features more guitar-driven, punky tunes that echoed their earlier material.
- Notable Tracks: “Thrill Me,” “I Need Your Love the Way It Used to Be.”
- Dig Yourself Deep (2007)
- Their second album with McLoone as lead vocalist continued the band’s focus on energetic, melodic punk-pop songs, returning to their roots while keeping things fresh for a new generation.
- Notable Tracks: “Dig Yourself Deep,” “So Close,” “Fight My Corner.”
Live Albums
- The Peel Sessions Album (1989)
- A collection of live recordings from the band’s appearances on John Peel’s BBC Radio 1 sessions between 1979 and 1982. It captures the raw energy of the band’s live performances.
- Live in London (2010)
- A live recording of The Undertones’ concert at the London Bloomsbury Ballroom in 2007. This album highlights the band’s live sound with Paul McLoone on vocals.
Compilation Albums
- All Wrapped Up (1983)
- This compilation features the best tracks from their first four albums, along with some B-sides and rarities. It provides a great introduction to the band’s early career.
- Teenage Kicks: The Best of The Undertones (1993)
- A comprehensive collection of The Undertones’ greatest hits, including fan favorites and singles spanning their early years. This is an essential collection for new fans.
- True Confessions (Singles=A’s+B’s) (2001)
- A double CD set that brings together all of the A-sides and B-sides from the band’s singles released during their initial run from 1978 to 1983.
- An Anthology (2000)
- A two-CD compilation that not only includes studio recordings but also rare tracks, live performances, and demo versions.
- West Bank Songs 1978–1983: A Best Of (2020)
- A comprehensive retrospective of their career, with songs selected from their 1978 to 1983 period. Released as a 2-LP set, it captures the essence of their output during their most active years.
Notable Singles
- “Teenage Kicks” (1978)
- Their most iconic song, which remains a punk anthem and a timeless ode to teenage love and rebellion.
- “Get Over You” (1979)
- A fast-paced punk-pop track with a catchy hook, this single showcased the band’s knack for simple yet infectious songwriting.
- “Jimmy Jimmy” (1979)
- A tribute to a working-class youth, this song is one of the band’s best-loved tracks.
- “Here Comes the Summer” (1979)
- A short, sweet, and punchy single, capturing the carefree spirit of summer, this became a UK hit and a live staple.
- “My Perfect Cousin” (1980)
- A humorous, jangly single about sibling rivalry and comparisons, it became one of their highest-charting UK singles, reaching No. 9.
- “Wednesday Week” (1980)
- A more mature, reflective pop song, showcasing the band’s evolving sound as they moved beyond their punk roots.
- “It’s Going to Happen!” (1981)
- One of their most political tracks, inspired by the hunger strikes in Northern Ireland. It became a hit, peaking at No. 18 in the UK.
- “Julie Ocean” (1981)
- A dreamy, melodic single from Positive Touch, marking a shift towards a more introspective sound.
- “The Love Parade” (1983)
- A single from their more soul-influenced The Sin of Pride, this song represents their final charting single before their initial breakup.
- “Thrill Me” (2003)
- From their comeback album Get What You Need, this song recaptured the energetic, punky sound of their early years.
The Undertones
The Undertones may have emerged from a small city in Northern Ireland during one of the most turbulent periods in the country’s history, but their music transcended those boundaries to become a universal soundtrack for youth and rebellion. With their infectious energy, sharp wit, and knack for writing irresistible melodies, The Undertones created a body of work that still feels fresh and relevant today. Whether you’re a teenager looking for an outlet for your emotions or an adult seeking a nostalgic trip back to your youth, The Undertones’ music has the power to connect across generations. Their legacy is one of joy, resilience, and the enduring appeal of a great pop song.