The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975. From 1975 to 1983, the Undertones consisted of Feargal Sharkey (vocals), John O'Neill (rhythm guitar, vocals), Damian O'Neill (lead guitar, vocals), Michael Bradley (bass, vocals) and Billy Doherty (drums). Although much of the earlier Undertones material drew influence from punk rock and new wave, the Undertones also incorporated elements of rock, glam rock and post-punk into material released after 1979, before citing soul and Motown as the influence for the material released upon their final album. The Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums between 1978 and 1983 before Sharkey announced his intention to leave the band in May 1983, citing musical differences as the reason for the break up.Despite the political climate in which the band had lived, the vast majority (though not all) of the material the band released focused not upon The Troubles, but upon issues such as adolescence, teenage angst and heartbreak. The merging of instruments has led AllMusic to state that guitarists John and Damian O'Neill "mated infectious guitar hooks to 1960s garage, 1970s glam rock, and Feargal Sharkey's signature vocal quaver."In 1999, the Undertones reformed, replacing lead singer Feargal Sharkey with Paul McLoone.The Undertones remain the most successful band to have emerged from Derry.
In 1978, the group went to Belfast for Hooley's Battle of Bands competition and were invited to record their debut EP "Teenage Kicks".
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Friends Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty, along with brothers John and Vincent O'Neill, formed the band in Derry in 1974. They invited classmate Feargal Sharkey to join as singer. They started out rehearsing in the O'Neill household, and listening to British R&B, American rock 'n' roll, glam rock, garage bands, and emerging punk music.
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After a couple of years, Vincent O'Neill left the band to concentrate on his studies. He was replaced by his brother Damian. By 1977, they were playing regular gigs at Derry's alternative nightspot "The Casbah", where they developed a loyal following.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Final Score
2016
TV Series performer - 1 episode
UK Championship Snooker
2015
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Our World War
2014
TV Mini-Series performer - 1 episode
Today at Wimbledon
2014
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Wimbledon
2014
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Top of the Pops: The Story of 1978
2013
TV Movie documentary performer: "Teenage Kicks"
Good Vibrations
2012
performer: "Stronger Than You"
Pentecost
2011
Short "My Perfect Cousin"
Waveriders
2008
Documentary performer: "TEENAGE KICKS"
Starter for 10
2006
performer: "Teenage Kicks"
Daltry Calhoun
2005
performer: "Teenage Kicks" - as Undertones
Nearing Grace
2005
performer: "Teenage Kicks"
When Snooker Ruled the World
2002
TV Movie documentary performer: "Teenage Kicks" - uncredited
$100,000
