'Breezy and detailed with an anecdotal frankness and self-deprecating
humour' Q Magazine
Michael Bradley joined his school friend's group in Derry, Northern
Ireland in the summer of 1974. They had two guitars and no singer. Four
years later the Undertones recorded 'Teenage Kicks', John Peel's
favourite record, and became one of the most fondly remembered UK bands
of the post punk era. Sticking to their punk rock principles, they
signed terrible deals, made great records and had a wonderful time. They
broke up in 1983 when they realised there was no pot of gold at the end
of the rock and roll rainbow.
His story is a bitter-sweet, heart-warming and occasionally droll tale
of unlikely success, petty feuding and playful mischief during five
years of growing up in the music industry. Wiser but not much richer,
Michael became a bicycle courier in Soho after the Undertones split.
"Sixty miles a day, fresh air, no responsibilities," he writes.
"Sometimes I think it was the best job I ever had. It wasn't, of
course."