The Undertones
When legendary British DJ
John Peel played the Undertones’ single “Thrill Me” back in 2003, he was so
stoked that he played it two times in a row. The same thing happened 25 years
earlier with their single “Teenage Kicks”. Peel was considered one their
discoverer and prime supporter. The first line of “Teenage Kicks” embellishes
his gravestone. The band landed a couple of hits with their Garage-Punk-Songs
between 1977 and 1983. Mostly due to singer Feargal Sharkey’s very distinctive
voice.
When Sharkey started his
solo career in 1983, The Undertones split up but in 1999 they reformed without
him. Now, it’s Paul McLoone behind the microphone. But as most of the hits were
written by guitarist John O’Neill, that really doesn’t matter. And anyway, the
band has released two brilliant albums - “Get What You Need” and “Dig Yourself
Deep” - in their second phase.
Live, however, they still
play hits like “Here Comes The Summer” or “Jimmy Jimmy”. The Undertones are a
rediscovery that sounds fresh and contemporary.
