John O'Neill (guitarist)
Encyclopedia
John Joseph O'Neill is the rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter within the punk/new wave
band
The Undertones
. O'Neill, along with his younger brother Vincent and friends Feargal Sharkey
, Michael Bradley
and Billy Doherty, founded The Undertones in 1975, although Vincent O'Neill was replaced the following year with his younger brother, Damian O'Neill
, who became the lead guitarist within the band.
John O'Neill was the principal songwriter in The Undertones: writing the majority of the band's singles and a number of album tracks (occasionally collaborating with his brother Damian or Michael Bradley). Songs written by John O'Neill include the singles "Teenage Kicks
", "Jimmy Jimmy
", "Here Comes The Summer
","You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It?)
" and notable album tracks such as "When Saturday Comes" and "You're Welcome".
After releasing four albums and thirteen singles, The Undertones disbanded in 1983, although they reformed in 1999. Since this date, the band (who have a new lead singer) have released two further albums and performed a number of gigs in both the U.K.
, Ireland, Europe and North America
.
In 1985, the O'Neill brothers formed That Petrol Emotion
, an acclaimed rock act who disbanded in 1994.
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
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...
. O'Neill, along with his younger brother Vincent and friends 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...
, Michael Bradley
Michael Bradley (musician)
Michael "Mickey" Bradley is the bassist for Northern Ireland pop-punk band, The Undertones. He also is a radio producer for BBC Radio Foyle. Bradley presents a one hour programme on Radio Ulster, "After Midnight with Mickey"...
and Billy Doherty, founded The Undertones in 1975, although Vincent O'Neill was replaced the following year with his younger brother, Damian O'Neill
Damian O'Neill
Damian O'Neill is the lead guitarist in the pop-punk band, The Undertones. He joined the band following the departure of his older brother, Vincent, in 1976, and remained with the band until their break up in 1983...
, who became the lead guitarist within the band.
John O'Neill was the principal songwriter in The Undertones: writing the majority of the band's singles and a number of album tracks (occasionally collaborating with his brother Damian or Michael Bradley). Songs written by John O'Neill include the singles "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:...
", "Jimmy Jimmy
Jimmy Jimmy (song)
"Jimmy Jimmy" is a Top 20 punk rock song originally written and recorded by Northern Irish band The Undertones in the spring of 1979. The song was written by the band's main songwriter, John O'Neill, it was The Undertones' third single and was released on 20 April 1979, reaching number 16 on the UK...
", "Here Comes The Summer
Here Comes the Summer
"Here Comes the Summer" is a punk rock song originally written and recorded by Northern Irish band The Undertones. The song was inspired by The Ramones and written in 1978 by the band's main songwriter, John O'Neill...
","You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It?)
You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It?)
"You've Got My Number " is a 1979 punk rock song originally written and recorded by Northern Irish band The Undertones. Written in the summer of 1979 by the band's main songwriter, John O'Neill, it was released on October 9 that year and reached number 32 in the UK charts...
" and notable album tracks such as "When Saturday Comes" and "You're Welcome".
After releasing four albums and thirteen singles, The Undertones disbanded in 1983, although they reformed in 1999. Since this date, the band (who have a new lead singer) have released two further albums and performed a number of gigs in both the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland, Europe and North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
In 1985, the O'Neill brothers formed That Petrol Emotion
That Petrol Emotion
That Petrol Emotion are a Northern Irish, London-based band with an American vocalist, Steve Mack.-Career:The band originally formed in 1984 from the ashes of the Derry Hitmakers, Bam Bam and the Calling and The Undertones. It was formed by guitarist John O'Neill and second guitarist Raymond Gorman...
, an acclaimed rock act who disbanded in 1994.