The Story of THE UNDERTONES (2002)

The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975. From the period of 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.
www.imdb.com/ti...

[@nervo6321]

Its Going to Happen...great single , still love it 40 years on.

[@etamommy]

One of the greatest and most criminally underappreciated rock bands ever! To me as great as their debut album was and as great as their most famous song Teenage Kicks was- they have 20 to 30 songs or more that surpass it and they got better after their debut! Tremendous and lovable band!

[@grooveintruder]

. . . criminally under-appreciated is an understatement. They need to be mentioned in the same context as the Pistols, The Clash, and the Damned as the fearsome foursome.

[@stevens6654]

I owned a couple of their albums, but I wasn't prepared for how fresh and good they were live. The Undertones you hear on record - it's the same sound live. And every song is outstanding.

[@RobertFordeBrennan]

I was born in '69, in New York, where I also grew up. I know plenty about The Clash and The Ramones. But why, until I just saw the film "Good Vibrations," did I not hear of The Undertones? I know their song "Teenage Kicks" well, and remember it growing up. Now, thanks to KZbin, I'm listening to their music over and over. Love it. I guess they didn't have the right uncle or friend in the American music industry, or else their stuff might have gotten more air play and publicity over here. Up Derry!

[@tomc7434]

I saw The Undertones open for Sam And Dave and The Clash at The Palladium NYC 79'

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

Teenage Kicks has the some power and raspness of a Sex Pistols track

[@inferiordior]

The Undertones were the UK's Ramones basically

[@DrPhil-pw2to]

@@inferiordior from Derry Ireland

[@steveburn8125]

What a band, love the songwriting, and Fergal’s voice is unique, I remember I was a young kid when they first appeared, my Dad playing them on the radio in his van, nodding our heads. I think you can hear that Ramones influence with them, and a sound of joy, even growing up in tough times In Ireland. Awesome is overused, but appropriate.

[@leahflower9924]

The undertones had the happiest drummer in punk rock history 😅

[@joegibel9944]

Considering they formed before the Ramones records came out. I don't feel they were that influenced by the Ramone. Probably more influenced by pop and garage rock of the 60s.

[@yakacm]

How prophetic JP talking about his death, just 18 months or so before he died.

[@seanthorntonthornton]

We're from Kerry and my father loves the Undertones. He used to tell me of the divide in the town between "The cool lads" who followed the Undertones and the "Wankers" who liked the boomtown Rats. Thank god he passed his passion on to me❤️☝🏼️

[@tobygibson3806]

Last week my son was kicked out of his mom's car for telling her that he didn't particularly appreciate her commercial music! He is so much my son!!! ;) Raised on old punk, but now he is into other styles of underground music. :)

[@etamommy]

Those damn Boomtown Rats Wankers!

[@charliecroker7005]

Why were the Rats considered to be wankers? Their first two albums are ace.

[@markbarker6739]

The 3 best bands from Ireland at the time were boomtown rats the undertones and stiff little fingers

[@markbarker6739]

The 3 best bands from Ireland at the time were boomtown rats the undertones and stiff little fingers

[@TheGodParticle]

John is a legend, he made a mountain of bands get the start they really needed. Respect.

[@andyrussell9892]

i was riding my moped in BATH UK when i saw the O'Neil brothers walking i the town as they were playing that night, my attention was on the brothers and i didnt notice the diesel a bus had spilled on the road, sure as dam it i was on the deck on my ass before i knew it only to be picked up from the deck by the brothers. 1980,,, Made my day holed my trousers tho, good days , thanks Big John, thanks the undertones

[@gabbycattell9030]

peels listening to the undertones in heaven

[@mikeroby1313]

Undertones are one of a select number of bands I really regret never having seen. This post really knocks the dust off of some old old memories. Good ones too...

[@assumptaclarke4640]

Mike Roby - I saw them playing in the bull park when they were up and coming - I was so young

[@dinoramone6761]

The amazing thing about The Undertones is that their songs still sound fresh and exciting today. Just like the Ramones. Every aspiring pop punk/Ramonescore band - and believe me, this genre is still very alive - is striving to write a song half as good as "Teenage Kicks" or "Here Comes The Summer"

[@TheOBOM]

What a great docu, thank you very much John Peel, and everyone involved. My Dutch adolescence in a small country town relived ... I once even had the honour of welcoming them and their roadies in our venue at one time somewhere in the 80's in Arnhem where I lived in that time, being about 20 years of age then. It was in the "Stokvishallen" and I had the stage supervieuw that evening, in other words: had to see that everything was there for the band. And I got a chance for a quick chat with the band and the roadies ... I'll never ever forget when I made a BIG mistake about our beer, being luke warme and tasteless. I mentioned it to one of the roadies, saying: "but that's allright for Englishmen, ain't it?" Man, the guy almost flung himeself at my throat yelling in my face: "Whe're Irish, you ***er!" Lesson learned, I dare say and a great evening it was ... me and foresaid roadie got hapily drunk and I got more respect for the Irish than ever before. I really think what Feargall says at about 38:00 in this vid summs it all up really niceley about that: he bloody nails it. And for the rest of it: Teenage Kicks the best I can get, bugger all the rest of it. "Three pints of Guinness and hallelujah; here comes saturday night" ... right on Feargall, that's more or less what life is for most of us: not all that bad, just average. But you really lightened up mine and I thank you and the Undertones for that, you guys are still my heroes and I'm still listening to your songs ... and what's more: my now 18 year old daughter likes them too! It's gonna happen all the time!

[@MrCano2007]

I saw them in Madrid many years ago, great show, one of my favorites bands.

[@stacyblue1980]

A friend of mine from Derry met Feargal one day & they talked for a long while. They talked about people they both knew and whatnot. I think Feargal remembered my friend's dad (who had been deceased for a long time)It was like a community feeling to this story. It was so sweet and the easy-going, cool conversation that they had seemed so precious. Like they had known one another for ages...wow

[@amherst88]

Thank you very much for posting this and god bless John Peel ❤️

[@feargal75]

I have always LOVED Feargal Sharkey's so particular/special voice !!!! (also as solo singer...💖)

[@mysterydots7247]

Really great, iconic of the era - one of the formative "New Wave" acts that has gone under-noticed while setting the bar higher for the genre. Thanks very much for posting this :-)

[@johnbarry1965]

The Undertones run of singles was absolutely phenomenal,of all the bands/artists i love i never go off the Derry boys!!!!!

[@Johnsmith-yf7ke]

I really wish Sharkey would rejoin the undertones Everybody wants it, The new singer is still very good But Sharkey Was the band Even if he just came back for a one off tour it would make my life.

[@joegibel9944]

It sucks he won't. But no Sharkey no undertones

[@jaysmith3095]

Sadly that ship has sailed. Too bad we couldn’t see all five at the same time present day.

[@5556slayer]

This band is very underrated

[@mikeroby1313]

Hiya Samuel--I don't think 'underrated' is the word I'd use. I never read any negative or hostile pub on them, They were underexposed though, at least in America.

[@mungofinalfi4480]

The Underrates

[@mickeybaumann]

yep !

[@therightrabbit]

What a band... one of my all time favourites, right from the start

[@tobygibson3806]

I love your music, and have never read too much into it other than you wrote music about the environment you grew up in. Thank you for doing what you have! Cheers and Aloha- Toby.

[@shamsoni]

Bought First single 78 brilliant time for new wave-punk

[@stacyblue1980]

Love to Derry♥ My great friend Housty- miss you- where ever you are. :))

[@stuartblandford2310]

I got backstage to meet them after a gig and they all signed my Doc boots. That was my teenage kick right there and of course I wore them to school the next day.

[@AnnieDelico]

Wow Stuart, that's so cool!!!

[@pauljacobson2207]

And do not forget That Petrol Emotion (post Undertones band) , one of the best post-punk bands ever!

[@etamommy]

Dang Ireland looks so green and beautiful!

[@MalcomJuliaMorgan]

john peel liked those teenage kicks now didnt he?

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Brilliant documentary, thanks so much for sharing. R.I.P. John Peel.

[@bradmagic1]

So brilliant, so underrated. I saw them open for the Clash in '79 in Toronto, Canada.

[@derekdykeman9160]

The B-Girls,The Undertones and The Clash at the O'Keefe Centre.

[@bobistheowl]

With DJ Lee 'Scratch' Perry playing tunes between sets; I saw the Montreal show at Theatre St-Denis, two feet away from Joe Strummer during the Clash's performance.

[@finnmcginn9931]

@@derekdykeman9160 The O'Keefe Centre? Pretty fancy for a punk show, all I ever saw there was The Nutcracker as a kid.

[@spudboy56]

I feel privileged to have seen them open for The Clash in Boston. I think it was 1978-1979. I have most of their singles ( imported) and all of their albums. Such a fun band.

[@derekdykeman9160]

1979

[@dougwagner607]

Effing brilliant. TY for passing along another history of Giants of Punk.

[@haxanthrobo]

great fun !... the undertones ...and man I miss John Peel

[@adrianbrowne7962]

The Undertones were able to " Morph " Something of a " Pop/Punk Musical Fusion " !! And along with them " Refusing To Play The Fashionista Game " They brought about a uniqueness that made them " True Icons " From that " Golden Period " Respect also for the " late Great " John Peel .Who was a " Constant Champion " Whose enthusiasm for the group proved to be " Invaluable " !!! May he continue 2 RIP!!!! From Adrian Browne 1965

[@TheJohnnyb1966]

I saw them twice (at the Hammersmith Palais & the Lyceum) & fuck me I'd swear they could raise the dead.

[@montgomeryswift]

Why no comments!! John peel is a legend and done so much for these guys and music as a whole what a great guy bless him

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

John Peel's voice on the radio sounded like God sending music to us

[@eugenem2199]

@@AndreVlaamsValle I remember being in Terry Hooley's Good Vibes shop in Belfast one Saturday and John Peel was there chatting to staff and I was looking at the amps up on the walls and not quite grasping why this voice was not coming from there.

[@etamommy]

that's the undertones; 833 likes: zero dislikes.

[@Widmerpool99]

Love how Peelie gets the quote wrong at the beginning. Damn, how we miss him.

[@carlscott4180]

Maybe the greatest band to come out of "the new-wave"? They avoided all the crummy things present in the cult of punk, and ran with its best energies. Spiritual successors to the Modern Lovers. Even their more synthy stuff from 82-83 stands up. And I now I grasp--what I didn't when I was young--the significance of the fact that they came from DERRY during the heart of the Troubles. Wow. So brave, so vital. Thanks for this film, all. CS

[@carlscott4180]

I praise 'em a bit more in a "Carl's Rock Songbook" post (no. 110) I penned a few years back. www.nationalreview.com/postmodern-conservative/carls-rock-songbook-no-110-undertones-teenage-dreams-carl-eric-scott/

[@Bjornontour]

One of the best bands ever,hands down!

[@user-dd7cf5rh8n]

Thank you John peel R I P sir.

[@thema1998]

Today was the *7* year anniversary of when you uploaded "Teenage Kicks: The Story of The Undertones". 🤓 EDIT- 6:42 P.M.: *finishes video 1 hour and 17 minutes later* I didn't know much about The Undertones until now.

[@pi.actual]

It was the age of punk rock which was not a political revolution but rather a revolt against the establishment that had coagulated itself around rock and pop music. It was an open book, a new start with songs so energetic they couldn't possibly last more than two and a half minutes. So The Undertones were punk rockers in the purest sense of the term and they had to end lest they become like U2.

[@markdignam5976]

Pop punk.. After souxie sounds there my favorites.. I compare the to the gogos.. My favorite American pop punks... Both had a warbley lead singers and top guitarists and drummers.. But crossed over.. To be loved by all music lovers... They are one of my first music loves

[@jnkacme5756]

thanks for this.. didn't know much about the Band except the music, now I know who they were

[@latoysondorbooksandfilms]

Nice documentary, but however much I love Teenage Kicks (and I really do!) they do not cover the Undertones' last period where they experiment with Motown, 60's garage and synth rock (ie The Sin of Pride) This was pure brilliance and when I used to live in LA I would always listen to Big Star Live, Nirvana Bleach, or the last half of the Undertones Peel Sessions (which was basically the best of The Sin of Pride) before going out for a night on the town. And Love Before Romance sounded like Roxy Music meets the Cocteau Twins before the Cocteau Twins even were! So never forget The Sin of Pride - it is truly brilliant and progressive and sounds like nothing else out there...and they also do teh best version of (pervert) Garry Glitter's "Rock and Roll" - So yeah, they are a lot more than Teenage Kicks...

[@steveburn8125]

Going to check that out now, didn’t know about that later stuff :)

[@AnnieDelico]

So many bands music starts as sounding a certain way, developing a particular and familiar sound. Over the years it can evolve into quite a different style and sound. Not all fans like change. I think I'm a bit that way with changes. I tend to like their sound from the earlier years the best. (I have the same thoughts about many other bands and their earliest offerings, like The Ramones.) A lot of that "progressive" 80s music with synthesizers etc, didn't do it for me, but it certainly was great for whoever did (does) enjoy it. What I love most about *MUSIC* is that there's something for everyone and it's a very personal thing, both for the creators of songs, and for the listeners. I often look back at music clips from long ago, when I was a teenager, and even music that I wasn't all that "into" back then, gives me good vibes now. They were simpler times - not always great, but with plenty of highlights. I saw many Sydney (Australia) Punk bands perform in lots of (mainly small) smoke-filled venues. Some were barely tolerable to listen to, others were so enjoyable, I'd go and see more and more of their gigs. Hats off to any individuals who put a band together and give it a go. Most don't achieve fame, but they've still enjoyed doing what they were doing. Those who did become successful have "bigger" memories. How great is it that we can watch a documentary like this, to learn more about how it all came to be from their humble beginnings?! Thank you to all the people who put this program together! I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. 😃🎶🎵🎸

[@philhuw88]

Great doco - thanks for posting..

[@daviddring2365]

Poor John .... How profetic was that? RIP

[@jonmeek3879]

Thanks for posting

[@jaysmith3095]

I’m fifty nine, my sixteen year old daughter is now a fan.

[@DanHintz]

great band, especially live. i think it's their humor and charm and self-deprecating manner that clinches it. strangely, i do not actually like teenage kicks much. true confessions is for me their masterpiece. it's perfect.

[@inferiordior]

I got a picture from your sister. There was writing on the back.. tr-tru-TRUE, true CONFESSIOOOOOONS !!!

[@punkrockpub]

If they did a reunion show and toured the U.S., I'd do my best to book them at a local venue!!!

[@Nigelxman]

+punkrockpub They've been touring in the UK. Hope they come back stateside!

[@jacquilade1976]

playing WoW festival in Norfolk this year :-)

[@azevbn326]

Awesome Band, so underrated

[@norriechristie694]

3 pints of Guinness! Love it, alwayys will.

[@diggerthegroundhog8799]

I just saw that the undertones are coming back to the US after a brief tour last year. So now I'm looking up everything Undertones. I was a major fan from 79 to 83 I never got to see them live. Anybody out there tell me if Feargal is doing the vocals?

[@steveritt]

No. The break-up back in '84 was bitter. But Paul - also a Derryman - does a great job and is a good showman. I recommend seeing them.

[@diggerthegroundhog8799]

@@steveritt Yeah he is good but all bets ar off now. Dont think we will be seeingthe undertones or anylive band in this year.

[@steveritt]

Love 'em love 'em love 'em

[@renatab8293]

anyone still wondering if Eamon McCann is a bluffer

[@garethohare2039]

super film

[@christopherwelch136]

Brilliant.

[@stuadam7563]

I'd say Sharky was lucky Very Lucky!...Madness's Zarjazz label got him that more fame caper...i do feel for the other Undertoners

[@ginolight]

Up !

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

Derry's Native Sons... Just did Teenage Kicks for karaoke night.

[@finnmcginn9931]

0:18 Richard "Dick" Tucker. A true legend

[@garethgriffiths1674]

The best reason for aliens from other galaxies deciding to make first contact with the people of Earth.

[@BK-carchic]

here comes the SUMMER!

[@onewordarmy9135]

saw them in Sligo 2012, and was wondering if this is the film shown before the gig, as i got there in time for the gig, not knowing a film was being show before ?

[@denniscat9395]

Liar . . .

[@onewordarmy9135]

I was on a first date, we drove about rossespoint looking at the sky before the glasshouse. the relationship between us broke up several times and is now totally over. I listen to Paul on today FM regular. call me a liar, Mo

[@grimlyfiendish5579]

25:03 tells you all you exactly why Feargal left this band. Imagine being young and in a popular band where you have opportunities to tour THE WORLD but your guitarist/main songwriter doesn't want to because he just got his first girlfriend. Jesus that must have been frustrating. If you want to stay in nowhere Ireland have fun.

[@thewhoman3182]

Sounds a bit like a Yoko Ono situation to me

[@jaysmith3095]

Different band, same tune, it’s how the original Misfits split. Singer wanted a full time band and the guitarist and bassist wanted small tours and weekend work. Shame.

[@happyguyx1]

geez a fkn mars bar

[@roomeleven7024]

Graham coxon of blur obviously ripped off John O’Neil’s guitar work on true confessions.

[@albatrosspil]

That Petrol unemotion.....Fergal or bust.

[@scinformation7229]

Sadly this is true.

[@robwicks67]

They rocked the Casbah.

[@bzed8825]

Rocked the kasbah love them

[@therollingbeachfloyd645]

Feargal sharky looks like Quentin tarantino.

[@mrsuperger5429]

I was from Glasgow in Scotland, which also has a sectarian Catholic / Protestant divide like many parts of Northern Ireland. My friends were a mixed bunch and we all loved The Undertones, and to be honest, we were disappointed when some of their songs went " political ". We were trying to breakaway from that sectarian craziness and division.

[@SiddhiJoshi]

Good vibrations film

[@billkingston6925]

fancy a pint!

[@faunoram]

John Peel wearing a Fat Possum Records T shirt !!

[@vn7099]

. ... underrateted und search´d

[@happyguyx1]

bet ma smelly wellington boots i just through out-----they come back

[@anoymous7653]

誰か日本語翻訳して字幕付けて

[@samuelblinne6040]

The undertones are the shit

[@aloysiussnailchaser272]

Pish, counts, wankers ;-)

[@Matecocido_X]

No lo soñe

[@vascojoao]

the first time they went to NY they should had stayed there.

[@GDNPB]

L.S.D. Shame.....

[@Tom_Roberts]

the BBC don't know how to record rock music.

[@Spectrescup]

Despite the Peel Sessions being superior to the original releases almost without exception.

[@xxcelr8rs]

Shitty chords, shitty guitar, shitty vocal..even for 1975 gave hope that pogoing was dancing. At least it was a band. Top of the Pops squashed for Yo NTV Raps 40 years ago.

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

The Undertones must be the only band which the ugliest guy of them all was the front man lol

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

@stevemrmusic9 Yes, he's got charisma but not the looks. Just like Mark King in Level 42 who has charisma and talent.

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

@stevemrmusic9 I'm not saying he' s bad, my comment is just about the looks. Don't get me wrong

[@kookoothebirdgirl1]

@@AndreVlaamsValle I always thought he was cute!

[@AndreVlaamsValle]

@@kookoothebirdgirl1 it's a joke about the fact that lots of bands are formed putting the gang's hearthrob in the front while the other guys struggle to learn their instruments

[@kheaney7896]

Whatever happened to Stiff Little Fingers ? The Undertones were OK as a middle of the road pop band but SLF were the backbone of NI punk. Jake Burns had something to say whilst Feargal Sharkey was just another prima donna.

[@pj5517]

Still going and touring. Last album was excellent

[@ddave7026]

Whatever

[@kookoothebirdgirl1]

They were two completely different bands! Why are you even comparing the two? Just because they’re both from Northern Ireland? And I would hardly describe them as a middle of the road pop band..they had more hooks than a fishing tackle box!

[@markbarker6739]

I love them both came from the same place at the same time slightly different music but both good at what they did

[@inkblack6256]

Fergal......lol......what a pile of nonsense.

[@Voidliife]

John O'Neill kinda looks like Heinrich Himmler... 😅