The Shed 1977

Copyright Paddy Simms

 Derry 1977

Copyright Paddy Simms

 Battle of the Bands 1978

Copyright Paddy Simms

 Belfast and London 1978

Copyright Paddy Simms

 Wizard Studio, Belfast 1978

Copyright Davy Shannon

 Bath Pavilion 1980

Copyright Steve Gaw

 Press Shots 1978 - 1982

Copyright as stated

 Derry 1978

This photo was taken during that strange few weeks between Teenage Kicks coming out on the Good Vibrations label and our signing with Sire records. I would guess September 1978. I remember we decided to get some photos taken as until then we had a total of six pictures of ourselves, not including the TK sleeve. It was a wonderful time - we were all enjoying ourselves - even Feargal was enjoying the heat coming from Billy's groin.
The varying width of our trousers is worth noting. John, Damian and Feargal go with the narrow leg look , which was all the rage in 1978.  All the rage in London, not necessarily Derry. Billy goes for the classic 'Skinners' wide leg denim, with a neat one inch turn up.  I decided on the 'Parallels' that had been the uniform of the Derry youth about town of the early to mid 1970s. Around three inches above the ankle was my limit, although I remember some of my classmates at St Peters went the full twelve inches.  I must confess that I was two years behind those classmates in adopting the look. With mature hindsight, I can see that we are taking a bit of a risk. Not artistically but physically, sitting on those railings.  All it would take is for one of us to fall backwards, grab the Undertone next to him, and we'd have been a one hit wonder.
(What do you mean, no great loss ??) 
Michael Bradley

I suppose every band has some kind of homecoming show. It lets those fellow citizens who had never heard of the band know that they exist, and are doing quite well - and it gives an opportunity for the fans who knew the band way back when to look down on those who weren’t there the first time round.
We had two homecoming shows - the first in a pub called The Rocking Chair, the night after we first appeared on Top Of The Pops. The second, seven weeks later, in the Rialto Cinema, where this photograph was taken. December 1978. The Rialto used to be an ABC cinema (I saw “Help!” there thirteen years later. I think it was there. Or maybe the Palace. or Odeon. Sorry.) Outside the sign said “The Undertones” above another saying “The Swarm”. The Swarm weren’t the support band although it’s a great name for a band. It was the film showing that week, starring Michael Caine and a lot of bees. The Rialto was closed a few years back and is now a Primark. The photo was taken by Paddy Simms who took a lot of the important pictures of us.
Michael Bradley

 Los Angeles 1980

Copyright Shannon Burns

These photos were taken after coming off stage in the Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles. July 1980.
The last week of a four week effort to conquer the United States and claim it for Derry.
A certain look of apprehension can be detected on some of our faces, as we were due to go on stage again. "Two shows a night" looks great on a poster, but to actually do two shows on one stage on one night was a new experience for us. I was especially concerned as I was wearing the same shirt on stage as I had put on that morning getting dressed. I would wear it for the second show as well. Change my shirt in front of the rest of the band? Are you mad? One of the support bands was called the Psychotic Pineapple - they had a large walking pineapple which arrived on stage during their performance, as far as I remember. All we had was Feargal's naked chest. Jimmy Carter was the President and still we weren't successful in subjugating the USA. I'll never understand show business.
Michael Bradley

 Celtic Park, Glasgow 2009

The Undertones couldn't be described as Stadium Rock - thankfully - but on occasion we get invited to some rather large occasions. Like the night Arsenal came to Glasgow to pass the ball through the legs of Celtic players. We were asked to whip the crowd into a frenzy before the game. Anyone whose ever been to Parkhead knows that Celtic fans don't need a whole lot of whippin'. We played in one corner of the ground, behind the nets.
Celtic were very kind and generous to us. Unfortunately they were also very kind and generous to Arsenal, allowing the Londoners to score two goals. One Celtic player , Gary Caldwell, even helpfully put the ball into his own net, so that the Arsenal players wouldn't go home empty handed.
We had a great night - after the game I ate three Scotch pies and drank two bottles of Irn-Bru. The resulting burp echoed into the Glasgow night, drowning out U2 in the process.
Michael Bradley

 Leopardstown 16th June 2011

Copyright: Paul Anderson

 Columcille 2013

 Live Photos

Copyright Neil Waite