The VENUE

25/10/2024

16/10/2024

IS "TEENAGE KICKS" THE UNDERTONES' BEST SINGLE? IF NOT, WHICH ONE IS?

On this day in 1978, SIRE RECORDS released THE UNDERTONES' debut single TEENAGE KICKS, following its initial release on independent Belfast label Good Vibrations (Oct 13, 1978)

👇 WATCH THE VIDEO IN THE COMMENTS BELOW 👇

Penned by rhythm guitarist John O'Neill in 1977, the two-minute blast of power-pop perfection captured the restless energy and hormonal longings of adolescence. The Undertones nailed the recording in a single take, fresh off playing a show in Belfast the night before.

When influential BBC DJ John Peel first played the acetate, he was so impressed that he played it twice in a row - a radio first. Peel would later confess the track moved him to tears and famously awarded it 28 stars out of 5. The song's simplicity and sincerity resonated deeply, with lines like "A teenage dream so hard to beat" speaking to the universality of youthful longing.

"Teenage Kicks" soon caught the ear of Sire Records, who reissued the single in October 1978, propelling it to #31 on the UK charts. Beyond its status as Peel's all-time favourite song, "Teenage Kicks" endures as a distillation of "punk"'s essence - buzzing with youth, brevity, and melody. In a 2016 poll by UK radio station XFM, it was voted the second-best indie single ever.

Forty-six years later, those teenage kicks are still hard to beat. 🎸🤘

13/08/2024

We regret to inform you that the death has taken place of Neil Campbell, peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family on 11th August 2024.

Late of 20 Carleton Court. May he rest in peace.

Devoted and loving partner of Claire. Loving father of Louise, Paula, Niall, Susan, Jake and Megan. A much loved granda to all of his grandchildren. Dearest brother of Betty and Brian. Dear son-in-law of Gerry and Yvonne McLaughlin. A much loved brother-in-law of Catriona, Sarah, Sean and Peter. Loving uncle of Fáela, Farrah, Diarmuid, Mairéad, Ciara and his many nieces and nephews. Deeply regretted and sadly missed by all of his wider family circle and friends.

Neil’s remains will be reposing at his late residence, 20 Carleton Court from 4:30pm this afternoon, Sunday 11th August. Funeral leaving from there on Tuesday 13th August at 11:20am for 12pm Requiem Mass in Holy Family Church, Ballymagroarty. Burial will take place immediately afterwards in the City Cemetery.

Wake house will be private from 10pm until 12 Midday.

Family flowers only please, donations in lieu if desired to Cairde Agus Teaghlaigh Ghaelcholáiste Dhoire (Jake's School) c/o the immediate family or Mr. Kieran Connor, McClafferty Funeral Directors, Unit 3a, Rathmor Business Pk, Derry, BT48 0LZ.

Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.

All Enquiries to Mr. Kieran Connor, McClafferty Funeral Directors, 02871262823.

21/02/2024

The Undertones come to the Gleneagle INEC Club on July 20th. Tickets are now on sale https://bit.ly/499JCo9

21/02/2024

"Are teenage dreams so hard to beat?" The Undertones - Boston. 1981 - Photo by?