Few names hold as much weight in the world of British pop punk as The Undertones, and for good reason. Famously the group behind the only tune ever to be played twice by John Peel in a single broadcast, the lads from Derry have undoubtedly cemented themselves in British music history. However, following a change of frontman in 1999 and the unavoidable risk of aging rockers, would the gig be a celebration of all things great about The Undertones and their undeniable oeuvre or a wrinkled revamp of a once formidable force of punk?
The former stood true. The Undertones played to a packed Bristol Academy with an age-defying performance, proving middle-aged kicks are just as ‘hard to beat’ as the ‘Teenage’ ones of 1978. Crashing guitar riffs, iconic punk anthems, and a crowd of die-hard fans made for a vintage punk atmosphere with a truly intergenerational mosh pit bouncing for the entire set.
Paul Mclooney’s vocals, though undeniably different from the original Fergal Sharkey’s, were powerful, and his stage presence blew me away. He never ceased to stop and held the audience in the palm of his hand.
‘Jimmy Jimmy’ and ‘My Perfect Cousin’ were perfect examples of songs so catchy that the audience sang both the riffs and lyrics with equal passion. As enjoyable as the razor-sharp tunes were, the die-hard fans seemed equally chuffed with Michael Bradley’s ‘patter’ in between songs. Typically cutting Northern Irish banter, he ripped into audience members and charmingly self-deprecated.
It was a night I went into somewhat skeptical. Would the gig stand as merely a faithful homage rather than a riotous punk piss-up? My knees and ears the next day were the answers I needed.
📝 @1eo_mark5 (Leo Marks)
