Teenage Kicks: My Life As An Undertone by Michael Bradley
Printed by: Omnibus
Launch date: 2nd October 2025.
Undertones bassist Michael “Mickey” Bradley has written a likeable and entertaining model of the band’s story, from their origins in 1974 to their breakup in 1983. Initially printed in 2016, it has been reissued as a part of the superb Omnibus Remastered collection.
Bass gamers historically don’t have loads to say, however Bradley is, in any case, a radio producer and presenter so he evidently has a expertise for communication: his model right here is conversational and sometimes humorous. He additionally has a expertise for storytelling.
There are a number of nice tales on this guide however maybe the perfect is about how they filmed the video for My Excellent Cousin.
The centre of the Undertones world had all the time been the household dwelling of band members John and Damian O’Neill, and that was the place they determined to shoot the video. Director Julien Temple and his crew arrived, the lights have been arrange, the band fortunately pretended to play Subbuteo… and the lights went out. They wanted extra 50p items for the electrical energy meter.
At this level they have been already pop stars, with 4 top-forty singles behind them (My Excellent Cousin would grow to be their solely high ten hit). However, the best way Bradley tells the story, they by no means stopped being the down-to-earth bunch of mates who began the band.
The story begins in 1974. Bradley is hanging round with a gaggle of pals after they ask him to affix their band. As is commonly the case, “it was theoretical at this stage”.
As issues developed, it was all about family and friends connections of their close-knit neighborhood. When the band wanted a singer, drummer Billy Doherty steered his second cousin Feargal Sharkey. When unique guitarist Vincent O’Neill left the band (his mom thought he ought to focus on O Ranges), “the wee brother” Damian took over.
The O’Neills’ entrance room was the place they obsessed over data, and an attic bed room was the place they first rehearsed (or “practised” as they put it, unwilling to look like pretentious musos). By 1976 they’d a band identify, their very own songs and a residency at a bar referred to as the Casbah the place they developed their craft. They usually had found punk.
Though they noticed themselves as punk rockers, the Undertones had “a wierd relationship with punk”, feeling distanced from the London scene. Their picture might need been perceived as “small city naivety” however they knew what they have been doing: pursuing their very own “punk ethos” by refusing to repeat anybody else.
In addition they felt distanced from the Belfast scene, however that didn’t cease them releasing Teenage Kicks with Belfast label Good Vibrations. The picture shoot for that debut single, writes Bradley, “does precisely painting 5 pals having a good time being in band and having fun with a time off college”. That can be what’s portrayed on this guide.
Touring was enjoyable, till they acquired homesick for Derry. Conferences with administration weren’t enjoyable, as a result of they’d somewhat have been at dwelling taking part in soccer or hanging round document outlets. Having hit data was enjoyable, till it stopped. And that’s when the band, and the story, ends.
I can’t assist questioning whether or not this historical past would have been informed in another way by one of many different band members. John O’Neill’s dedication to songwriting and Feargal Sharkey’s embracing of solo stardom recommend that they won’t share Bradley’s happy-go-lucky strategy to a musical profession. Nonetheless, this can be a nice telling of the story and an awesome learn.
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Phrases by PENNY KILEY. You possibly can learn her Louder than Conflict critiques at her writer profile, and her archive music journalism on Substack.
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