The Undertones

Band

Singer Sharkey's quavering delivery was distinctive, and made the band instantly recognisable. By 1977 they were performing their own three-chord pop punk material influenced by Nuggets-type material and the Ramones, and in 1978 released their debut four-song EP Teenage Kicks on the Good Vibrations label. It became a hit with support from noted BBC DJ John Peel, who considered that EP's title song his all-time favourite. The original release came housed in a flimsy paper poster style sleeve, in white, mustard yellow, pink or green. The first pressing has the song titles printed upside down when the poster is opened, later copies correct this but omit 'Undertones' from the poster. Some labels credit The Undertones and some just Undertones. Allegedly, 7000 copies were pressed.The song has been covered by many including boyband Busted (at the 2003 Brit Awards) and French band Nouvelle Vague.