Those who are familiar with this amazing band from Ireland 🇨🇮 consisting of, Bob Geldof on vocals, Garry Roberts (R.I.P.) on lead guitar, Gerry Cott on rhythm guitar, Johnnie Fingers on keys, Pete Briquette on bass, and the amazing Simon Crowe on skins (imh & drummer biased opinion 😊🥁), will understand they are lovingly referred to as simply The Rats, hence my abbreviated title for this short today featuring The Boomtown Rats and the track here "Wind Chill Factor (Minus Zero)" from 1979 and their 3rd studio lp - The Fine Art Of Surfacing. It is without question known best for the hugely popular song I Don't Like Monday's, but also, Someone's Looking At You, Diamond Smiles and When The Night Comes (perhaps overplayed in some cases, subjective of course to whom one asks... but all great tracks imho).
For me it plays like a greatest hits. I suppose this is because I am so familiar with every song, it was my first and it is definitely my favourite. Though some aren't fans of the quirkiness shown at times, I actually especially enjoy the quirky extras closing out side one of record (🎶Thats not funny, I'm not laughing🎶) If you haven't heard this album or aren't familiar with this band aside from the "hits". I highly recommend checking this one out as a jumping on point.

I first heard this album just after it's release in 1979 or possibly early 1980 thanks to my older sibling (either Andy or Steve...I'll credit both as I have fond memories of us all listening to it) and immediately it struck a cord with me. Just the groove, the feel was different than most of what I had heard to that point in my short existence (I would have been around 12) and the sense of humor was evident...maybe thanks to cues from my older bros.😊 I do also remember lots of laughing...though I also recall some smoke that had a sweet odour it gave off. 🤔😁
Anyway. I became a fan of anything by The Boomtown Rats and at this juncture I've managed to find three more of their lp's on vinyl in addition to this one I've had for years. Just missing their 1977 debut and their last of the early era, In The Long Grass from 1984. They did a final album in 2020 as well without their keys man Johnnie Fingers (Moylett) who along with the lead guitarist Garry (Garrick) Roberts had started the band in '76. Unfortunately just two years later in 2022, Garry Roberts passed away. RIP 🙏

Hope you dig this one my friends. Thank you all for taking the time to watch. See you on the next one. Enjoy the weekend and take care.

Cheers! 🍻✌