The Undertones are a rock band who
have attained legendary status over the years, primarily
due to another legend, the well-loved and influential DJ,
John Peel, listing their moving and rousing 'Teenage
Kicks' as his favourite ever song.
A band from Derry/Londonderry in Northern Ireland, The
Undertones were formed in 1975, just before punk rock
exploded. The original line-up of the group was: Feargal
Sharkey (lead vocals); John O'Neill (guitar); Damian
O'Neill (guitar, keyboards, vocals); Michael Bradley (bass,
vocals); Billy Doherty (drums). The O'Neil brothers and
Bradley provided the songs.
They are a band who, though quite successful, were never
superstars, and it's probably that fact, combined with
their catchy, earnest, but innocent songs, and Feargal
Sharkey's emotional voice, which endeared The Undertones
to so many people. Most bands get a verbal kicking by
critics at some point, but The Undertones seem to have
escaped that.
- Paul Rance/booksmusicfilmstv.com.
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