SESSION: THE UNDERTONES
Last Tuesday, I filmed an interview with The Undertones by mister Gijsbert Kamer at the Fine Fine Music night in Paradiso, Amsterdam. Thanks to Frank and Paul at Fine Fine Music, the band agreed to record a session the very next day, after their soundcheck at Tivoli de Helling, Utrecht. They played The Rolling Stones, Velvet Underground and Ray Davies.
The Undertones, a punkrock group from Northern Ireland scored hits with songs like ‘Here Comes The Summer’ and ‘My Perfect Cousin’, but are most famous for their song ‘Teenage Kicks’, which was hyped by English Radio 1 dj John Peel, who rated the song 28 stars out of a maximum of 5. He loved the song so much, he had the line ‘Teenage dreams, so hard to beat’ from the song engraved on the headstone on his grave.
‘Teenage Kicks’ was later covered by the likes of Razorlight, Skunk Anansie, Franz Ferdinand, KT Tunstall, Nouvelle Vague, Green Day, Supergrass, Snow Patrol, The Coral and The Raconteurs.
The Undertones split up in 1983, but reformed in 1999. Without lead singer Feargal Sharkey, who’s become one of the biggest names in the UK music industry. In October 2008, he became head of UK Music, a organisation representing the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry. In The Undertones, the position of lead singer was filled by Paul McLoone.
The Undertones - Sunday Morning - Velvet Underground
The Undertones - Play With Fire - The Rolling Stones
The Undertones - This Strange Effect - Ray Davies
Thanks to:
Maarten Besseling | second camera
Frank Satink | Goomah Music
Paul Nederveen | Fine Fine Music
13 Comments, Comment or Ping
fred
Without lead singer Feargal Sharkey, there are no Undertones!!!!
Jun 8th, 2009
Piet
I’ve seen them play live in The Netherlands last week and was really impressed. Just go see the ‘new’ singer, it’s a great show…
Jun 9th, 2009
stote007
Indeed Frederick, open your mind…………
Jun 9th, 2009
Mark
Hey Fred.
Before you make a comment like that… go and see them live with Paul up-front, and then post an honest opinion afterwards.
i think you will be very, very surprised.
Jun 10th, 2009
Phil
Thank you for posting these clips as some of us have been unable to make it to Holland to see this part of the group play acoustic covers.
Like many I was sceptical when they announced that Paul was taking over. Having seen the full group live and two albums later I am a total convert. In any case, whilst not full time anymore Paul has actually been lead singer for longer now than Feargal (Feargal 1975?-1983 / Paul 1999 - present)
I also don’t think John Peel “hyped” the single - that suggests some unfair advantage given to it, he just recognised and fell in love with a great song. Perhaps the meaning was lost in translation.
Thank you once again for the clips
Jun 10th, 2009
matthijsvanderven
Hi Phil,
Thank you for the comment.
I don’t think a hype is a negative thing. Some hypes are just, others aren’t. This one was. If you play a song a couple of times in a row, on national radio, then you’re hyping it. (If that’s even a English word)
Don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. But you are right about the band, if you ask me.
Jun 10th, 2009
Phil
Dear Posters,
We never saw The Undertones wuith Sharkey but we have seen them 30 plus times with Paul and of course can compare with the original CDs. We think Paul is more than a worthy Sharkey replacement to say the least. These days on stage they are just fantastic and we hope they ust keep playing and playing. We go to all possible Undertone’s gigs irrespective of country. Still appreciating some of the fine musical points in their work. Damian’s guitar work is top knotch. Thats how it is for us. Phil and Nora. Mid Wales, UK
Oct 21st, 2009
clarky
followed the undertones since the start.still as good as ever.cant wait to see them again in feb at king tuts.
Oct 22nd, 2009
paul
seen the undertones many times with both feargal and paul singing, it makes no difference, it is the quality of the music and songwriting that makes the undertones one of the greatest live bands around.
Oct 25th, 2009
barry
feargal sharkey is in the trash can
Dec 3rd, 2009
Cormac Heron
Nice recordings lads. Nice of John to stay awake there on the sofa.
Jan 13th, 2010
Mark
Saw Feargal and the boys in ‘79, they were brilliant. Saw Paul and the boys a couple of years ago, they were brilliant. The Undertones are about more than just the lead singer, and I wish they would more gigs in the North of England/Midlands so that I could see them again!
Apr 8th, 2010
dave stewart
Saw them in london supporting Rezillos on first ever English tour. Saw them again couple of weeks ago- brilliant! Still doing the business. Feargal who?
Apr 18th, 2010
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