Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. April 16th 2011.

The year 1979 may be remembered for many things, Pink Floyd’s eponymous album The Wall was released, Britain struggled to get going again after the winter of discontent and the political aftermath that followed and in Derry, Northern Ireland a group of lads released one of the finest debut albums ever recorded.

The Undertones have been quite rightly lauded by the likes of radio legend John Peel who famously loved Teenage Kicks so much that it made him cry and many bands and critics have praised the Undertones for their Punk/Rock feel and grasp of the eloquent use of the English language.

With former lead singer Fergal Sharkey making it clear that he would not rejoin the band back in 1999, it fell to the other members of the band to find a replacement and in Paul McLoone they found the right man to front this exciting and forthright group of men.

The first half of the show at the o2 Academy in Liverpool was a rare chance to hear the debut album in full and from the moment John O’Neill put his fingers over the first chord, the audience knew they were in for a sweaty and fun filled night that would leave them breathless and joyful at the end. Nobody was left disappointed as the band played every track from the album which included Male Model, the bouncy and feel good factor song Here Comes the Summer, Jimmy, Jimmy and She’s A Runaround.

All five members of the band looked cool as they played with an earnest and direct outlook which can be missing in more established bands. Where other groups, especially those whose heyday could be considered over three decades ago, sometimes fall down is the lack of spirit and fun that can still be communicated to their fans. With The Undertones this was never a problem, as John O Neill, the excellent Billy Doherty on drums, Damian O’ Neill, Michael Bradley and the incredible Paul McLoone bounced their way an hour and half of music and dozens of songs that had the audience cheering at every pause.

The band had more than enough time to delve into their catalogue and play some firm favourites, including the awesome sounding My Perfect Cousin, the lament of Wednesday Week, and the ideal It’s Going to Happen before finishing the set with the crowd favourite and stunningly simple Mars Bar.

Ian D. Hall