The Undertones formed in Derry, 1976, the result of five friends (John O’Neill, Damian O’Neill, Feargal Sharkey, Billy Doherty & Michael Bradley) learning how to play basic rock and roll. Rehearsing in Damian’s bedroom eventually led to the band recording John O’Neill’s ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978, a record that became a favourite of John Peel. Over the next four years they released more pop gems like `Get Over You’, ‘Here Comes The Summer’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’, ‘You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It!)’, ‘Wednesday Week’, ‘My Perfect Cousin’ & ‘It’s Going To Happen!’. They also recorded four highly acclaimed LPs with Feargal, toured the USA with The Clash and headlined several tours in those five years. In fact, they almost enjoyed the life of professional musicians. In 1983 Feargal left the band to pursue a solo career and the remaining members decided to call it a day. In 1999 the band reconvened, with fellow Derryman Paul McLoone replacing Feargal Sharkey. They continue to perform today.
6 January 2023