Undertones

The Undertones slam-bang punk-pop drew its strength from one simple fact: you didn't need a secret handshake to enjoy it. John and Damian O'Neill mated infectious guitar hooks to '60s garage, '70s glam rock, and Feargal Sharkey's signature vocal quaver. Those qualities came together on their breakout hit "Teenage Kicks," whose simplicity harked back to '60s ideals of when the song was king. This Anthology showcases the very best of The Undertones & includes 27 previously unreleased demos, alternate takes, session & live tracks.

BBC Radio legend John Peel has long cited The Undertones "Teenage Kicks" as his favorite song of all time. In this documentary, Peel takes a trip to Derry in Northern Ireland, tracing the history and evolution of the city by drawing on the influences, upbringings, and ultimate successes of The Undertones. Teenage Kicks on disc includes 45 minutes of additional interviews, along with exclusive live footage, photo gallery of rare memorabilia & archive images plus reunion footage from 1999 and beyond. Like a lot of the material included in the main feature, the extra interview footage is only likely to appeal to die-hard fans. Seven promos (restored and mixed in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound) are also featured, including the recently discovered video for "There Goes Norman".

Titled "Undertones: An Anthology", the set stands out from all other Undertones "best of" compilations for one reason, the second CD that is included in this set. It compiles 27 previously unreleased demos, rare unheard recordings, and live tracks. Disc one compiles a 29 song set of songs from the bands career. This includes a large majority of songs from the bands first two albums (Undertones (1979), and Hypnotized (1980)). It also includes a few selections from the bands later albums, which veered from their original sound. Keep it near the top of your CD pile, and treat yourself to teenage kicks right through your life.

In 1978 The Undertones released Teenage Kicks, one of the most perfect and enduring pop records of all time - an adolescent anthem that spoke to teenagers all over the globe. It was the first in a string of hits that created a timeless soundtrack to growing up, making the Undertones one of punk rock's most prolific and popular bands. Unlike the anarchic ragings of The Sex Pistols or the overt politics of The Clash, The Undertones sang of mummy's boys, girls - or the lack of them - and their irritating cousin Kevin.

Hypnotised is the 1980 album by Northern Ireland band The Undertones. This was pressed in 1994 by Dojo Limited and features five bonus tracks.

A best-of for classic Irish rock outfit the Undertones, West Bank Songs 1978-1983 compiles 30 of the group's most iconic tracks. Alongside seven of the band's Top 40 hits (including the iconic "Teenage Kicks"), the album pulls from the group's original four studio LPs and includes a 12-page insert with liner notes from Michael Bradley and Mick Houghton.