This page is dedicated to books that feature or are about NI punk
Over the years the N. Irish punk scene has generally been overlooked when it comes to books or features on punk history. When it has been mentioned the focus has always been on SLF or the Undertones or Good Vibrations or any combination of those three. However, we all know that there was / is a lot more to NI punk than that triumvirate and with that in mind my old punk buddy Sean O'Neill and myself, back in the late 90's, started on a quest to set the record straight and present to the wider world a definitive guide to punk in Northern Ireland. In 2003 the fruits of our labour (of love) were rewarded with the publication of 'It Makes You Want To Spit!' which up to this point remains the only book dedicated to NI punk. Due to financial and space constraints we had to have a cut off point and so we chose the year 1982. Why 1982? Not because, as some people think, that as far as we were concerned punk in NI died in that year! It had taken nearly 300 pages to cover the years 1977 - 1982 and we just couldn't make the book any bigger. 1982 was chosen as the cut off point because we felt that the scene had started to undergo major changes by then. The original venues had shut down, most of the early bands had disintegrated and a lot of the original punks had moved on to other things. New venues were springing up, new bands forming and a new generation of punks were emerging. Whilst the province's early punk pioneers had been inspired by the visit of the Clash, this new generation was equally inspired by Crass and the rise of anarcho-punk. This changing scene became much more politically motivated and DIY values were more to the fore than in previous years. The NI punk scene from 1982 onwards is a book in itself! It would take around another 300 pages to do it justice. Unfortunately we didn't have the time, space or finances to go beyond 1982. Hopefully, someday someone will carry on from where we left off. Its a story well worth telling!
Thankfully a few writers have emerged over the years who can see beyond the Londoncentric bullshit and give as much space and creedence to punk in Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast and any other provincial towns and cities you can think off! Hats off then to Alex Ogg and John Robb in particular.
Thankfully a few writers have emerged over the years who can see beyond the Londoncentric bullshit and give as much space and creedence to punk in Cardiff, Bristol, Glasgow, Belfast and any other provincial towns and cities you can think off! Hats off then to Alex Ogg and John Robb in particular.
101 Irish Records You Must Hear Before You Die
Author: Tony Clayton-Lea. Publisher: Liberties Press. Year: 2011
http://www.libertiespress.com/101_Irish_Records_%28You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die%29/118/
In 101 Irish Records (You Must Hear Before You Die), Tony Clayton-Lea, one of Ireland's leading music writers takes you on a nationwide tour of the very best of Irish music, from the stars of the arena to the acts you’ve probably never heard of (but will be forever grateful that you have) – from A House to U2, from Lisa Hannigan to David Holmes, from Luke Kelly to Villagers, from Marc Carroll to Van Morrison, from Thin Lizzy and The Pogues to Planxty and The Blades. Mixed with revealing quotes and insights from the people who made the records, and a substantial feast of other information, this book is essential for the musical anorak and casual radio dial spinner alike. More than just a list, 101 Irish Records documents and highlights the great, the good, the forgotten, the lost and the hardly-ever-listened-to of Irish music over the past fifty years. Includes NI bands such as Rudi, The Outcasts, SLF, Undertones, Starjets, Ash, Therapy?, Divine Comedy and others, with contributions from Brian Young, Greg Cowan, Damian O'Neill, Jake Burns, Terry Sharpe etc.
http://www.libertiespress.com/101_Irish_Records_%28You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die%29/118/
In 101 Irish Records (You Must Hear Before You Die), Tony Clayton-Lea, one of Ireland's leading music writers takes you on a nationwide tour of the very best of Irish music, from the stars of the arena to the acts you’ve probably never heard of (but will be forever grateful that you have) – from A House to U2, from Lisa Hannigan to David Holmes, from Luke Kelly to Villagers, from Marc Carroll to Van Morrison, from Thin Lizzy and The Pogues to Planxty and The Blades. Mixed with revealing quotes and insights from the people who made the records, and a substantial feast of other information, this book is essential for the musical anorak and casual radio dial spinner alike. More than just a list, 101 Irish Records documents and highlights the great, the good, the forgotten, the lost and the hardly-ever-listened-to of Irish music over the past fifty years. Includes NI bands such as Rudi, The Outcasts, SLF, Undertones, Starjets, Ash, Therapy?, Divine Comedy and others, with contributions from Brian Young, Greg Cowan, Damian O'Neill, Jake Burns, Terry Sharpe etc.
Hooleygan: music, mayhem, good vibrations
Authors: Richard Sullivan and Terri Hooley. Publisher: Blackstaff Press. Year: 2010
www.blackstaffpress.com/ProductInfo.aspx?product=164
Terri Hooley, founder of record label and shop Good Vibrations, is responsible for bands such as The Undertones making their mark on the international music scene. After playing ‘Teenage Kicks’ on BBC national radio John Peel became a big supporter of Good Vibrations. The label celebrated its thirty-year anniversary in April 2008. A biopic based on the life of Terri Hooley began filming in 2009. The success of The Undertones was a moment of triumph for Terri Hooley, the culmination of a dream that began when he borrowed £40 to open a small record shop in Belfast in 1978. It was also the start of a turbulent and colourful career in the music industry. Hooleygan is Terri’s remarkable story, from his tireless commitment to local bands and the chequered history of Good Vibrations to his volatile encounters with the mainstream music industry, his run-ins with Bob Dylan and John Lennon, drinking binges with Phil Lynott, and his resilience in the face of setbacks such as arson, bankruptcy, bomb blasts, and attacks by racketeers. A fully illustrated no-holds-barred story of music and mayhem by a man who has been compared to Tony Wilson and Malcolm McLaren. www.myspace.com/goodvibesbelfast
www.blackstaffpress.com/ProductInfo.aspx?product=164
Terri Hooley, founder of record label and shop Good Vibrations, is responsible for bands such as The Undertones making their mark on the international music scene. After playing ‘Teenage Kicks’ on BBC national radio John Peel became a big supporter of Good Vibrations. The label celebrated its thirty-year anniversary in April 2008. A biopic based on the life of Terri Hooley began filming in 2009. The success of The Undertones was a moment of triumph for Terri Hooley, the culmination of a dream that began when he borrowed £40 to open a small record shop in Belfast in 1978. It was also the start of a turbulent and colourful career in the music industry. Hooleygan is Terri’s remarkable story, from his tireless commitment to local bands and the chequered history of Good Vibrations to his volatile encounters with the mainstream music industry, his run-ins with Bob Dylan and John Lennon, drinking binges with Phil Lynott, and his resilience in the face of setbacks such as arson, bankruptcy, bomb blasts, and attacks by racketeers. A fully illustrated no-holds-barred story of music and mayhem by a man who has been compared to Tony Wilson and Malcolm McLaren. www.myspace.com/goodvibesbelfast
Independence Days: the story of Uk independent record labels
Author: Alex Ogg. Publisher: Cherry Red Books. Year: 2009.
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/book_independence.php
In another massive tome (just under 600 pages), Alex documents the story of independent UK record labels from the late 70's onwards. Labels such as Step Forward, Small Wonder, Fresh, Mute, Cherry Red, Fast, 4AD, Crass, Stiff, and Chiswick, amongst others, are covered in exhaustive detail. Belfast's own Good Vibrations Records gets a hefty mention, weighing in at just under 13 pages. Contributors to the Good Vibes piece include Guy Trelford and Sean O'Neill (Spit! authors), Brian Young (Rudi), John O'Neill and Mickey Bradley (Undertones), Paul Burgess (Ruefrex), and label supremo Terri Hooley. As well as being essential reference books, both Independence Days and No More Heroes are both damn good reads. And much kudos to Alex for not ignoring N. Irish punk like so many others have done in the past! http://www.alexogg.com/
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/book_independence.php
In another massive tome (just under 600 pages), Alex documents the story of independent UK record labels from the late 70's onwards. Labels such as Step Forward, Small Wonder, Fresh, Mute, Cherry Red, Fast, 4AD, Crass, Stiff, and Chiswick, amongst others, are covered in exhaustive detail. Belfast's own Good Vibrations Records gets a hefty mention, weighing in at just under 13 pages. Contributors to the Good Vibes piece include Guy Trelford and Sean O'Neill (Spit! authors), Brian Young (Rudi), John O'Neill and Mickey Bradley (Undertones), Paul Burgess (Ruefrex), and label supremo Terri Hooley. As well as being essential reference books, both Independence Days and No More Heroes are both damn good reads. And much kudos to Alex for not ignoring N. Irish punk like so many others have done in the past! http://www.alexogg.com/
Inflatable Dolls
Author: Feargal Quinn. Publisher: self published. Year: 2010.
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1155503
The Inflatable Dolls formed in 1978 in Dungannon, County Tyrone. Performed a mixture of self-penned songs and choice punk covers. Split up in 1980 without releasing any material. Reformed in 2004 with Rocco Lavery replacing original member Joe Ross on lead guitar, they have been gigging ever since. The book was put together by singer Feargal Quinn and is primarily a photographic / pictorial history of the band. The photographs are interspersed with newspaper cuttings, gig posters / flyers and some explanatory text. A nice little artefact which should interest collectors of all things NI punk.
http://www.myspace.com/inflatabledolls
http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1155503
The Inflatable Dolls formed in 1978 in Dungannon, County Tyrone. Performed a mixture of self-penned songs and choice punk covers. Split up in 1980 without releasing any material. Reformed in 2004 with Rocco Lavery replacing original member Joe Ross on lead guitar, they have been gigging ever since. The book was put together by singer Feargal Quinn and is primarily a photographic / pictorial history of the band. The photographs are interspersed with newspaper cuttings, gig posters / flyers and some explanatory text. A nice little artefact which should interest collectors of all things NI punk.
http://www.myspace.com/inflatabledolls
It Makes You Want To Spit!
Authors: Sean O'Neill and Guy Trelford. Publisher: Reekus Records. Year: 2003.
Put together over a seven year period by myself and my old punk mucker Sean O'Neill, SPIT! serves as the definitive guide to the first 5 years of the punk scene in N. Ireland. Packed full of band bios (complete with discographies), info on fanzines, record labels, venues and scene reports from Belfast, Derry, Omagh, Bangor etc. the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the punky happenings in our wee province. Bands bios include Rudi, The Outcasts, Moondogs, SLF, Undertones, Victim, Stage B, Tearjerkers, Idiots, Defects, Stalag 17, Toxic Waste, Protex, Androids, Ex-Producers, EMF, Pretty Boy Floyd & the Gems, Starjets, Xdreamysts and a host of others. Local contibutors include, Stuart Bailie, Brian Young, Greg Cowan, Petesy Burns, Roy Wallace,Joe Donnelly, Johnny Hero, Gavin Martin, Carol Clerk, Terri Hooley, Mr Puke, Colin Fletcher, Paul Mcloone, Henry Cluney & Jake Burns amongst others. Other notable contributors include Joe Strummer, John Peel, Rat Scabies, Jean Jaques Burnel, Animal, TV Smith, to name just a few.
IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SPIT! is the only book solely dedicated to Northern Irelands punk rock scene. We would hope that someone else will pick up the mantle and write a book about the N. Irish punk scene from 1982 onwards.
Spit! on myspace
Buy Spit! from the publisher
Spit! Review @ Trakmarx
Spit! book launch review
Put together over a seven year period by myself and my old punk mucker Sean O'Neill, SPIT! serves as the definitive guide to the first 5 years of the punk scene in N. Ireland. Packed full of band bios (complete with discographies), info on fanzines, record labels, venues and scene reports from Belfast, Derry, Omagh, Bangor etc. the book is essential reading for anyone interested in the punky happenings in our wee province. Bands bios include Rudi, The Outcasts, Moondogs, SLF, Undertones, Victim, Stage B, Tearjerkers, Idiots, Defects, Stalag 17, Toxic Waste, Protex, Androids, Ex-Producers, EMF, Pretty Boy Floyd & the Gems, Starjets, Xdreamysts and a host of others. Local contibutors include, Stuart Bailie, Brian Young, Greg Cowan, Petesy Burns, Roy Wallace,Joe Donnelly, Johnny Hero, Gavin Martin, Carol Clerk, Terri Hooley, Mr Puke, Colin Fletcher, Paul Mcloone, Henry Cluney & Jake Burns amongst others. Other notable contributors include Joe Strummer, John Peel, Rat Scabies, Jean Jaques Burnel, Animal, TV Smith, to name just a few.
IT MAKES YOU WANT TO SPIT! is the only book solely dedicated to Northern Irelands punk rock scene. We would hope that someone else will pick up the mantle and write a book about the N. Irish punk scene from 1982 onwards.
Spit! on myspace
Buy Spit! from the publisher
Spit! Review @ Trakmarx
Spit! book launch review
Kicking Up A Racket: the story of Stiff Little Fingers 1977 - 1983
Author: Roland Link. Publisher: Appletree Press. Year: 2009.
http://www.appletree.ie/projects/2009/stiff_little_fingers/stiff_little_fingers.htm
Kicking Up A Racket tells the story of Stiff Little Fingers, one of N. Ireland's most successful bands, from their beginning as Highway Star in the mid 70's until the original split in 1983. Author Ro Link put a lot of time and effort into this book, spending around seven years researching info on the band, tracking down and interviewing members of the band and others who played a part (big or small) in their development and rise to fame. The book is jam packed with contributions, tall tales, and amusing anecdotes and stuffed full of facts and figures. Plenty of good photos too, a lot of which are previously unpublished. The book also contains a complete list of all gigs the band played as well as a complete UK discography. Contibutors include Jake Burns, Brian Faloon, Ali McMordie, Jim Reilly, Henry Cluney, Gordon Olgivie, Colin McClelland, Terri Hooley, Brian Young, Terry Sharpe, Tom Coulter, Paul Burgess, Mickey Bradley, Stuart Bailie, Siobhan Fahey, Geoff Travis, Tom Robinson, Mike Scott, Dave Sharp, Greg Cowan, Adam Clayton, and many others.
Although I'm the not biggest SLF fan in the world myself, I did enjoy a lot of the anecdotes and there were a few interesting facts that I was previously unaware of. I can also appreciate the time and effort Roland dedicated to this work, a real labour of love! http://www.kickinguparacket.com/
http://www.appletree.ie/projects/2009/stiff_little_fingers/stiff_little_fingers.htm
Kicking Up A Racket tells the story of Stiff Little Fingers, one of N. Ireland's most successful bands, from their beginning as Highway Star in the mid 70's until the original split in 1983. Author Ro Link put a lot of time and effort into this book, spending around seven years researching info on the band, tracking down and interviewing members of the band and others who played a part (big or small) in their development and rise to fame. The book is jam packed with contributions, tall tales, and amusing anecdotes and stuffed full of facts and figures. Plenty of good photos too, a lot of which are previously unpublished. The book also contains a complete list of all gigs the band played as well as a complete UK discography. Contibutors include Jake Burns, Brian Faloon, Ali McMordie, Jim Reilly, Henry Cluney, Gordon Olgivie, Colin McClelland, Terri Hooley, Brian Young, Terry Sharpe, Tom Coulter, Paul Burgess, Mickey Bradley, Stuart Bailie, Siobhan Fahey, Geoff Travis, Tom Robinson, Mike Scott, Dave Sharp, Greg Cowan, Adam Clayton, and many others.
Although I'm the not biggest SLF fan in the world myself, I did enjoy a lot of the anecdotes and there were a few interesting facts that I was previously unaware of. I can also appreciate the time and effort Roland dedicated to this work, a real labour of love! http://www.kickinguparacket.com/
No More Heroes: a complete history of UK punk 1976 - 1980
Author: Alex Ogg. Publisher: Cherry Red Books. Year: 2006
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/book_nomoreheroes.php
A hugely impressive tome from one of lifes good guys Alex Ogg. Weighing in at over 700 pages No More Heroes covers just about every band who picked up a guitar between the years 1976 - 1980 in the UK. Over 400 bands get the full biography / discography workout in this A - Z guide and the book also includes interviews and anecdotes as well as some good photos. Thankfully Alex recognises the contribution and value of the N. Irish punk scene and has included pieces on the following bands from these shores - the Androids, Control Zone, Detonators, The Doubt, Ex-Producers, Moondogs, No Sweat, the Outcasts, Protex, Rudi, Ruefrex, Shock Treatment, Starjets, Stiff Little Fingers, Tearjerkers, Undertones, Victim. Due to the huge volume of bands that Alex researched there just wasn't enough room for them all in this book. The hope is that Alex will publish a second volume covering all those bands who didn't make it in to the first cut. Local contributors to the book include - Dave McMaster (Protex), Joe Donnelly, Howard Ingram (Detonators), Tony McGartland (Control Zone), Gerry McAndless (Moondogs) Aza Middleton (Androids), Guy Trelford, Brian Young (Rudi). http://www.alexogg.com/
http://www.cherryred.co.uk/books/book_nomoreheroes.php
A hugely impressive tome from one of lifes good guys Alex Ogg. Weighing in at over 700 pages No More Heroes covers just about every band who picked up a guitar between the years 1976 - 1980 in the UK. Over 400 bands get the full biography / discography workout in this A - Z guide and the book also includes interviews and anecdotes as well as some good photos. Thankfully Alex recognises the contribution and value of the N. Irish punk scene and has included pieces on the following bands from these shores - the Androids, Control Zone, Detonators, The Doubt, Ex-Producers, Moondogs, No Sweat, the Outcasts, Protex, Rudi, Ruefrex, Shock Treatment, Starjets, Stiff Little Fingers, Tearjerkers, Undertones, Victim. Due to the huge volume of bands that Alex researched there just wasn't enough room for them all in this book. The hope is that Alex will publish a second volume covering all those bands who didn't make it in to the first cut. Local contributors to the book include - Dave McMaster (Protex), Joe Donnelly, Howard Ingram (Detonators), Tony McGartland (Control Zone), Gerry McAndless (Moondogs) Aza Middleton (Androids), Guy Trelford, Brian Young (Rudi). http://www.alexogg.com/
Punk Rock: An oral history
Author: John Robb. Publisher: Ebury Press. Year: 2006.
http://www.goldblade.com/
The story of UK punk from 1976 - 1984. John Robb pieces together the history of the UK punk scene using a series of quotes / anecdotes garnered from hundreds of interviews with punk musicians, fanzine writers, fans, club owners etc. who were there at the time. Amongst the contributors are the likes of Don letts, Mick Jones, Rat Scabies, Mark Perry, Gaye Advert, Nick Cash, Jaz Coleman, Colin Abrahall, Beki Bondage, Mickey Geggus, Charlie Harper, Jimmy Pursey and a host of others. The early N. Irish punk scene gets good coverage too with quotes taken from Jake Burns (SLF), John O'Neill and Damien O'Neill (Undertones), Brian Young (Rudi), and Guy Trelford (Spit! author). Another essential read and just under 600 pages long. Hats off to John for covering the early N. Irish scene too. John Robb is frontman for the supercharged punk band Goldblade (in case you didn't know)! http://www.myspace.com/105497828
http://www.goldblade.com/
The story of UK punk from 1976 - 1984. John Robb pieces together the history of the UK punk scene using a series of quotes / anecdotes garnered from hundreds of interviews with punk musicians, fanzine writers, fans, club owners etc. who were there at the time. Amongst the contributors are the likes of Don letts, Mick Jones, Rat Scabies, Mark Perry, Gaye Advert, Nick Cash, Jaz Coleman, Colin Abrahall, Beki Bondage, Mickey Geggus, Charlie Harper, Jimmy Pursey and a host of others. The early N. Irish punk scene gets good coverage too with quotes taken from Jake Burns (SLF), John O'Neill and Damien O'Neill (Undertones), Brian Young (Rudi), and Guy Trelford (Spit! author). Another essential read and just under 600 pages long. Hats off to John for covering the early N. Irish scene too. John Robb is frontman for the supercharged punk band Goldblade (in case you didn't know)! http://www.myspace.com/105497828
Survival: The story of The Defects
Author: Tina Calder. Publisher: Ravage Publishing. Year: 2011
BELFAST punk band The Defects shot to fame in the early 80s with their unique style of punk music. Their energy, vibrancy and determination saw them sign with one of the biggest record labels of their time and go on to tour with bands such as The Anti-Nowhere League. This book is the story of their rise to fame, the pressures and struggles of the music business and what it was like to be a punk growing up in the midst of the Northern Ireland troubles. After over 25 years away from the public eye The Defects are back and once again setting the pace for the punk scene of today.
The book is dedicated to Carol Elizabeth Clerk, rock journalist and author who died in March 2010 after she lost her battle with Cancer. Carol was a fierce supporter of the band and was instrumental in getting them signed by John Curd of WXYZ Records. There is a chapter inside dedicated to Carol's tireless support for the band and the inpact she had as a friend to each member.
"There is something about The Defects, something magical, something I don't think we will ever be able to put our finger on. Whether it's Buck's captivating stage presence as a frontman, Glenn's vibrant and passionate drumming, Roy's cool but intricate guitar solos or the energetic bass lines coming from Aidy bouncing around the stage I guess I will never know. One thing's for sure, The Defects are back with a bang.". Tina Calder, Author.
SURVIVAL: THE STORY OF THE DEFECTS charts the birth, success, split and comeback of the band. It takes the reader through a unique journey including the story behind their anthemic song BRUTALITY as well as the story of how important journalist Carol Clerk was in their success.
BELFAST punk band The Defects shot to fame in the early 80s with their unique style of punk music. Their energy, vibrancy and determination saw them sign with one of the biggest record labels of their time and go on to tour with bands such as The Anti-Nowhere League. This book is the story of their rise to fame, the pressures and struggles of the music business and what it was like to be a punk growing up in the midst of the Northern Ireland troubles. After over 25 years away from the public eye The Defects are back and once again setting the pace for the punk scene of today.
The book is dedicated to Carol Elizabeth Clerk, rock journalist and author who died in March 2010 after she lost her battle with Cancer. Carol was a fierce supporter of the band and was instrumental in getting them signed by John Curd of WXYZ Records. There is a chapter inside dedicated to Carol's tireless support for the band and the inpact she had as a friend to each member.
"There is something about The Defects, something magical, something I don't think we will ever be able to put our finger on. Whether it's Buck's captivating stage presence as a frontman, Glenn's vibrant and passionate drumming, Roy's cool but intricate guitar solos or the energetic bass lines coming from Aidy bouncing around the stage I guess I will never know. One thing's for sure, The Defects are back with a bang.". Tina Calder, Author.
SURVIVAL: THE STORY OF THE DEFECTS charts the birth, success, split and comeback of the band. It takes the reader through a unique journey including the story behind their anthemic song BRUTALITY as well as the story of how important journalist Carol Clerk was in their success.