Good Vibrations
Originally on the flip side to 'Teenage Kicks', the much loved and played side by John Peel. It was released on the Good Vibrations Record Label run by Terri Hooley which initially started out from a small building on Great Victoria Street in Belfast.
True Confessions & That Non-Punk Look.
This track 'True Confessions' taken from their appearance on BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test. The attitude and energy was certainly Punk even if the dress sense doesn't sum up what you might expect to see. Rather than sporting spiky hair and bondage trousers these guys looked like they had just visited C&A's (if you remember the store back in the day!) and perhaps had their own 'Derry-wear' style with parkas, half-mast flared trousers, pullovers and Doc. Martens. Nonetheless, one of the finest punk bands around at the time and their music still stands out today. (Completely to the contrary of the graffiti displayed on the record sleeve taken by photographer Paddy Simms!)
The track listing
- Teenage Kicks
- Smarter than U
- True Confessions
- Emergency Cases
It was to be their only release on 'Good Vibrations' by the time of their wonderful second single 'Get Over You' in 1979 they had already been snapped up by 'Sire Records'. The track was beautiful, again another dream of a 'pop song' in it's 2:40 seconds of glory, starting with the muted guitars in the background, the 'wolf whistle' and exploding into a thumping beat, wonderful vocals in terms of obviously Fergal's voice but also harmonious backing from the rest of the boys. Like most of their songs it is simple, no-nonsense music which is what makes it so good to listen to, no over complicated lyrics, no 'noodly' keyboard solos or intricate guitar work just plain straight forward 'rock n roll'. They released so many good records during their time I couldn't possibly mention them all in this post, but they firmly remain one of my favourite bands.
The Assembly & That Petrol Emotion.
They decided to call it quits in 1983 and Fergal Sharkey eventually went solo in 1983 and performed with Vince Clarke from Yazoo in The Assembly whilst John and Damian O'Neill went on to form That Petrol Emotion with a North American vocalist, Steve Mack plus ex-members of fellow Derry bands Bam Bam and The Calling and Derry Hitmakers, they recorded five albums between 1986 and 1994, exploring an eclectic fusion of alternative rock, post-punk, garage rock and dance music. Have a listen to 'Hey Venus/Mad Thatcher Disease' below:
This track originally released on Virgin Records in 1989
And, just because I just couldn't resist it...
More Good Vibrations.
The Good Vibrations Record Label sadly filed for bankruptcy in 1982 and was resurrected several times over the years. Terri Hooley clearly had the ear for decent Northern Irish talent and put Ireland firmly on the punk map. The label wasn't just a 'one trick pony' and some other acts on the label were: The Outcasts, Protex, Victim and Rudi. Catch Belfast punk outfit Protex with their single 'Don't Ring Me Up' released in 1978, It is, much like The Undertones, a 2 minutes and 41 seconds track of pure melodic Punk Pop heaven. In 1979 Hooley actually released his own 7" Single on 'Fresh Records' as Terri & The Terrors, you can catch 'Laugh At Me' on youtube at the link.
Video, Info & Picture Thanks.
Video Source: [email protected]
Info & Picture Sources: Discogs & Wikipedia
Also check out ModsandModettes.blogspot.com for some more Undertones/Fergal Sharkey info and sounds.
Photo by Edz Norton on Unsplash