Off With Their Head (2) – The Undertones

Derry’s finest, the Undertones, reconvened a few years back now, minus former frontman Feargal Sharkey. The original split was not exactly amicable and after even 15 years or so failed to heal those wounds there was little chance of Fergal rejoining the party. So when the band re-formed a new singer was recruited in the shape of Paul McAloone.

The first Undertones LP in about 20 years ‘Get What You Need’ was released in 2003. First time around, the ‘ Tones of course were one of the finest punk-pop bands with their song-writing maturing over the course of four albums and ‘Get What You Need’ marked a return to their pop punk roots. It’s an enjoyable affair and there’s no lack of energy on display. The big question mark of course related to the singing since, unlike McCulloch within the Bunnymen, Fergal was the singer and had little input into the songwriting. It turns out that McAloone’s vocals are pitched somewhere between Sharkey and That Petrol Emotion’s Steve Mack and are therefore more than appropriate for the record.

The TPE connection is relevant obviously because both O’Neill brothers were in TPE and John was the main songwriter in both bands (up until he left TPE). ‘Get What You Need’ in places actually sounds more like some of the uptempo TPE numbers than the Undertones’ earlier work. Curiously that is most strongly on the one number jointly penned by all the band!

So two tracks today, one of their classic singles with the original line-up and a track of the last LP.

The Undertones – You’ve Got My Number

The Undertones – Oh Please

‘Oh Please’ is actually the song that greets you when you visit the ‘Tones website. Lyrically it’s a curious affair and it would suggest that the band aren’t big fans of the Manic Street Preachers. The ‘music for landfill’ line though has come back to haunt them somewhat – despite the good reviews the LP received at time of release, I saw it recently on sale at FOPP for the princely sum of £1 when even the Manics’ last LP was going for £3!

The Undertones’ Myspace site has clips of demos of songs intended for their next LP.

If you don’t already own them (and if not, why not?), you can buy the Undertones’ albums (including ‘Get What You Need’) here or here.

A review of the Undertones/TV21 show in Aberdeen in December.