Good Vibrations (record label)
Encyclopedia
Good Vibrations is a Belfast
record label
and store. Founded by Terri Hooley
in the early 1970’s, Good Vibrations started out in a small derelict building on Great Victoria Street, Belfast. It is now located on Winetavern Street, Belfast.
Hooley's main objective in starting the company was to introduce punk bands from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom, as he did not believe Northern groups were given enough attention.
The label's first recording was for a local band called Rudi
, a single called "Big Time". Hooley would later sign groups such as Victim, The Moondogs
, The Shapes
, Protex, The Outcasts, and The Undertones
. Although the Undertones were to become the most famous of all these bands, Hooley was unsure, at first, whether or not he should sign them.
"I wasn’t sure about them because nobody liked them. People crossed the road just to spit at Feargal Sharkey
."
Later, when the Undertones' "Teenage Kicks
" came out, he "hustled it around every record company in London and they all hated it. I came back to Belfast and cried my eyes out. That night John Peel
played it on the radio and said, ‘wasn't that the most wonderful record you've heard in your life?' and played it again."
The company also put on concerts around Northern Ireland, hiring hotel function rooms, church halls, youth clubs, and any other available venues. Good Vibrations hosted the first ever International Festival of Punk and New Wave at the Belfast Royal Ulster Hall over two nights in 1980 featuring almost the entire roster of the label's bands and other punk acts such as The Saints.
Many listeners were brought to Belfast by the Good Vibrations DIY independence and Hooley's persistent determination and desire to see local music recognised nationally. Despite growing popularity, though, Good Vibrations filed bankruptcy in 1982, just as the first wave of British punk had officially died. Bands that had gone to London, such as Protex and Rudi, went back to Hooley – and Belfast. Hooley's friends later got him a shop called Vintage Records, Co. just around the corner from Good Vibrations.
Singles
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
and store. Founded by Terri Hooley
Terri Hooley
Terri Hooley, Godfather of the Belfast punk scene and the first person to win the Oh Yeah Legend Award in 2008. Hooley has received many awards throughout the world, his first was The Irish Music Industry Award 1994, Belfast caught up in 2008 when he received several awards in his native city...
in the early 1970’s, Good Vibrations started out in a small derelict building on Great Victoria Street, Belfast. It is now located on Winetavern Street, Belfast.
Hooley's main objective in starting the company was to introduce punk bands from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom, as he did not believe Northern groups were given enough attention.
The label's first recording was for a local band called Rudi
Rudi
Rudi were a punk rock/power pop band from Belfast, Northern Ireland formed in 1975.-History:Rudi formed in 1975 as a covers band with members Brian Young, Ronnie Matthews, Graham Marshall, Leigh Carson and Gordon Blair, playing rock 'n' roll and glam rock hits. The band's name was taken from a...
, a single called "Big Time". Hooley would later sign groups such as Victim, The Moondogs
The Moondogs
The Moondogs are a Northern Irish rock band formed in 1979, and consisting of Gerry McCandless, Austin Barrett and Jackie Hamilton. The band has had a career spanning three albums, four singles, and two television programmes to date.-Singles:-Albums:...
, The Shapes
The Shapes (UK band)
The Shapes were an English punk rock group that formed in the town of Leamington Spa in 1976. Different in many ways from their peers in the nascent punk subculture, they were known for eschewing the more political stances that were fashionable at the time, instead producing works of a cartoonish...
, Protex, The Outcasts, and The Undertones
The Undertones
The Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
. Although the Undertones were to become the most famous of all these bands, Hooley was unsure, at first, whether or not he should sign them.
"I wasn’t sure about them because nobody liked them. People crossed the road just to spit at Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey
Feargal Sharkey is a singer from Northern Ireland who first found fame as the lead vocalist of pop punk band The Undertones...
."
Later, when the Undertones' "Teenage Kicks
Teenage Kicks
"Teenage Kicks" is a 1978 song originally recorded by Northern Irish punk rock group The Undertones. Composed by the band's principal songwriter, John O'Neill, it was championed by DJ John Peel, and was his all-time favourite song.-John Peel:...
" came out, he "hustled it around every record company in London and they all hated it. I came back to Belfast and cried my eyes out. That night John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
played it on the radio and said, ‘wasn't that the most wonderful record you've heard in your life?' and played it again."
The company also put on concerts around Northern Ireland, hiring hotel function rooms, church halls, youth clubs, and any other available venues. Good Vibrations hosted the first ever International Festival of Punk and New Wave at the Belfast Royal Ulster Hall over two nights in 1980 featuring almost the entire roster of the label's bands and other punk acts such as The Saints.
Many listeners were brought to Belfast by the Good Vibrations DIY independence and Hooley's persistent determination and desire to see local music recognised nationally. Despite growing popularity, though, Good Vibrations filed bankruptcy in 1982, just as the first wave of British punk had officially died. Bands that had gone to London, such as Protex and Rudi, went back to Hooley – and Belfast. Hooley's friends later got him a shop called Vintage Records, Co. just around the corner from Good Vibrations.
Discography
Albums- BIG1 The Outcasts - Self Conscious Over You LP
- BIG2 V/A - Ulster On A Thin Wire LP (Unreleased)
- BIG3 The NervesThe NervesThe Nerves were a mid-'70s American power pop trio based in Los Angeles, featuring guitarist Jack Lee, bassist Peter Case, and drummer Paul Collins. All three members composed songs and sang. They managed an international tour in the U.S. and Canada, including dates with The Ramones, and...
- Notre Demo LP - BIG4 Protex - Listening In LP (Release originally cancelled, finally issued in 2001)
Singles
- GOT1 RudiRudiRudi were a punk rock/power pop band from Belfast, Northern Ireland formed in 1975.-History:Rudi formed in 1975 as a covers band with members Brian Young, Ronnie Matthews, Graham Marshall, Leigh Carson and Gordon Blair, playing rock 'n' roll and glam rock hits. The band's name was taken from a...
- "Big Time" / "No. One" 7" (Pink or white wraparound sleeve, 3000 pressed) - GOT2 Victim - "Strange Thing By Night" / "Mixed Up World" 7" (Pink wraparound sleeve)
- GOT3 The Outcasts - "Just Another Teenage Rebel" / "Love Is For Sops" 7" (White wraparound sleeve)
- GOT4 The UndertonesThe UndertonesThe Undertones are a punk rock/new wave band formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 1975.The original line-up of the Undertones released thirteen singles and four studio albums — The Undertones , Hypnotised , Positive Touch and The Sin of Pride — before disbanding in July 1983.Music guide Allmusic...
- "Teenage KicksTeenage Kicks"Teenage Kicks" is a 1978 song originally recorded by Northern Irish punk rock group The Undertones. Composed by the band's principal songwriter, John O'Neill, it was championed by DJ John Peel, and was his all-time favourite song.-John Peel:...
" 7" (4 track EP, most in white wraparound sleeve, also very rare yellow, green, pink & blue sleeves. Reissued several times, firstly on Sire) - GOT5 Xdreamysts - "Right Way Home" / "Dance Away Lover" 7" (White wraparound sleeve)
- GOT6 Protex - "Don't Ring Me Up" / "(Just Want) Your Attention" / "Listening" in 7" (Wraparound sleeve, reissued as RT/GOT1)
- GOT7 V/A - Battle Of The Bands 7" (2 x 7" in orange gatefold sleeve. Rudi, The Outcasts, The Idiots, Spider)
- GOT8 RuefrexRuefrexRuefrex, originally called Roofwrecks, were a punk rock band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, formed in in 1977.-History:The band was formed in 1977 by Paul Burgess and Tom Coulter at the Boys Model School in Belfast, Coulter originally acting as vocalist but sticking to bass when Ivan Kelly joined....
- "One By One" / "Cross The Line" / "Don't Panic" 7" (White wraparound sleeve) - GOT9 The Tearjerkers - "Love Affair" / "Bus Stop" 7" (White wraparound sleeve)
- GOT10 The Moondogs - "She's Nineteen" / "Ya Don't Do Ya" 7" (White wraparound sleeve)
- GOT11 Tee Vees - "Doctor Headlove" / "War Machine" 7"
- GOT12 Rudi - I Spy 7" (4 track EP)
- GOT13 The ShapesThe Shapes (UK band)The Shapes were an English punk rock group that formed in the town of Leamington Spa in 1976. Different in many ways from their peers in the nascent punk subculture, they were known for eschewing the more political stances that were fashionable at the time, instead producing works of a cartoonish...
- "Blast Off" / "Airline Disasters" 7" - GOT14 PBR - Streetgang "The Big Day" 7" (1-sided flexi-disc)
- GOT15 Andy WhiteAndy White (singer-songwriter)Andy White is an Irish singer/songwriter and poet, born in Belfast. He started writing poetry and music from a young age, penning a poem called "Riots" aged nine. He attended Methodist College Belfast. He studied English Literature at Robinson College, Cambridge University, graduating in 1984...
- "Six String Street" / "Travelling Circus" 7" (Also 12") - GOT16 Cruella De Ville - "Drunken Uncle John" / "Those Two Dreadful Children" 7"
- GOT17 The Outcasts - "Self Conscious Over You" / "Love You For Never" 7"
- GOT18 The Bank Robbers - "On My Mind" / "All Night" 7"
- GOT20 Rain Saints - "Caroline" 7"
- GOT21 Four Idle Hands - "99 Streets" / "Friday Man" 7"
- GOT22 PBR - Streetgang "Get Down (Before You Fall)" / "Come Alive For Me" 7"
- GOT23 Tiberius' Minnows - "Time Flies" / "Cuckoo" 7"
- GOT24 Four Idle Hands - Four Idle Hands EP 12" (4 track EP)
- GOT25 Glam Slam - "The Leader" EP 7"
- GOT26 Preacher John - "The Mountain" 12"
- GOT28 Tiberius' Minnows - "Oh June" / "The Way I Feel" 7"
- GOT29 The Beekeepers - Howl EP 12" (4 track EP)
- GOT30 PBR - Streetgang "This City" / "Talking To You" 7"
- GOT31 The Mighty Fall - "Kick It In The Head" 7"
- GOT32 Ten Wheels For Jesus - "Everybody's Making Money (Out Of Me)" / "I Gave Up Waiting" 7"
- GOT33 Heat The Beans - "Hallucinate" 7"
- GOT34 Tiberius' Minnows - The Love EP CDS
- GOT36 Payola - Stick 2 Fingers Up EP CDS
- GOT37 Twinkle - Aphyd EP CDS
- GVI GOT1 The Bears - "Insane" / "Decisions" 7" (Wraparound sleeve)
- GVI GOT2 The Jets - "Original Terminal" / "Block 4" / "The Iceburn" 7"
- GVI GOT3 Static Routines - "Rock 'n' Roll Clones" / "Sheet Music" 7"
- GVI GOT5 Strange Movements - "Dancing In The Ghetto" / "Amuse Yourself" 7"
- GVI GOT6 Zebra - "Repression" / "931" 12"
External links
- Hill, Geoff (2008) "The man who brought punk to the Province", News Letter