Which Northern Irish band released the 1978 single Teenage Kicks?

The Northern Irish band that released the 1978 single “Teenage Kicks” was The Undertones.

The song was recorded in Belfast on 15 June 1978 and first issued by the independent Good Vibrations label in September. Sire Records then re-released it as a standard single in October, helping it reach number 31 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Undertones formed in Derry, Northern Ireland, and “Teenage Kicks” became their signature song. BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel famously played it twice in succession during its first broadcast on 25 September 1978 and later called it his favourite song of all time.

The Adverts, The Ruts, and Stiff Little Fingers were genuine punk bands, which makes them plausible mix-ups, but none recorded this single. The song was written by guitarist John O’Neill and was later added to reissues of The Undertones’ debut album.