At first listen, The Undertones’ debut 4-track, rollicking hormonal fueled Teenage Kicks E.P. will sock you in the gut and then make you weep countless waterlogged tears of jubilation. This is the kind of record that seizes moments – the kind you spin countless times in a row. In fact, BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel played the potent elixir of “Teenage Kicks” back to back on his September 12, 1978 broadcast: ‘wasn’t that the most wonderful record you’ve heard in your life?’ then Peel played it again.Belfast’s crown prince of punk, Terri Hooley signed The Undertones - a Derry, Northern Ireland based group - to his Good Vibrations record label in 1978, “I wasn’t sure about them because nobody liked them. People crossed the road just to spit at Feargal Sharkey.”
On June 16th, 1978, The five-piece cut the first-rate Teenage Kicks E.P. at Wizard Studios in Belfast during a rip roaring one day session, for £100 plus an £8 VAT. Produced by Dave Smyth, the E.P. greets the listener with a quavering belch of pulverizing, yet lackadasical, heart-wrenching teenage amplified, garagescuzz-pop mania; a white-hot collection of magnificent two-minute, three chord tunes. Such a description ought to get yer heart racing in your cage because “Teenage Kicks,” “True Confessions,” “Smarter Than You” and “Emergency Cases” are a collection of pure punk-pop treasures. You are in for a treat if these are new to yer ears.
Take Up Thy Rock 'N Roll Stethoscope and Walk,
Feargal Sharkey (Lead Vocals)
John O'Neill (Rhythm Guitar)
Damien O'Neill (Lead Guitar,Backing)
Billy Doherty (Drums)
Mickey Bradley (Bass,Backing Vocals)
GOT4 - The Undertones - Teenage Kicks 7"
Cover Printed By: Print Workshop
Cover Concept and Part Layout: Terri Hooley
Photographs and Part Layout: Paddy Simms
Roadie: Bernie McNamey
Recorded at: Wizard Studios, Belfast
Enjoy these 4cc of The Undertones…
MP3: “Teenage Kicks”
MP3: “Smarter Than You”
MP3: “True Confessions”
MP3: “Emergency Cases”
MORE PRESCRIPTIONS
Eli ‘Paperboy’ Reed, Soul’s Prodigal Son, Readies For Launch on “Explosion”
The Black Keys Slay Peel Session at Old Corn Exchange
The Lone Star Seduction of Townes Van Zandt’s “Waiting Around To Die”
The Gypsy Tinged Soul of The Mumlers, "Don’t Throw Me Away"
The Heavy Unleash Sinister “Sixteen”
Get the goods at emusic.com or amazon.com
3 comments:
straight up incredible, mr doctor!
I love the Undertones. It makes me sad that I didn't discover "Teenage Kicks" until I was already in my 20s though.
@jd35 tell me about it. found this EP a few years ago. love every single second of it!
Post a Comment