Where do we begin?

How much time have you got?

Here’s the quick version. John & Damian O’Neill had been in the Undertones, a seminal punk band from Derry, Ireland. After the Undertones broke up, John went back to Derry and started hanging out at a disco where Raymond played killer music. They got to talking, drinking, and eventually writing songs.

Ciaran was in town, over-educated and unemployed. And one hell of a drummer. Damian came back to visit and found out what was going on and was dying to get involved. Trouble is there were already two guitarists, so Damian agreed to play bass.

Fast-forward a few months. In the process of recording their first single (Keen for Pink Records) they realized they needed a singer. Steve was putting his college degree to good use busing tables in London. A couple of rehearsals and a lot of Buzzcocks and Velvets covers later, Steve was in.

They played a lot, got ridiculously popular on the pub circuit, and put out a second single (V2 on their own Noiseanoise label). Demon Records stepped up and put out the first full length album, Manic Pop Thrill, which was produced by Hugh Jones and received rapturous reviews. This would be come a habit with the Petrols.

More touring, and next thing you know they’re signed to their first major label, Polydor. They put out Babble, produced by Roli Mosimann, and receive rapturous reviews. They even come dangerously close to denting the pop charts when Big Decision goes to #42 on the British charts. Little did they know that was as close as they’d ever get.

Things start to go awry when the management at the top of Polydor changes, and the new management wants hit singles. Pronto. The Petrols decide that’s asking too much, and promptly leave Polydor when a loophole in the contract is discovered. Within weeks they’re signed to Virgin Records, who promise to support them and let them do as they please.

The Petrols release a 12″ single, Genius Move, which is rapturously reviewed. Robert from the Cure even gives it single of the week. The group make a hilarious underwater video that gets lots of airplay worldwide. Things are looking really good - sorta.

Never ones to follow trends, the Petrols decide to delve into the wonderful world of dance music. And dissonance. Often at the same time. This results in a third record, End of the Millenium Psychosis Blues, which is a psychotic load of rubbish. In fact, the songs are pretty good and the live performances at the time bear this out. The record, however, is confused and lacks cohesion. It doesn’t help that halfway through the recording process John O’Neill decides to call it quits. See what whiskey does, children? Drink whiskey on tour, not in the recording studio.

Never mind, Damian seizes the opportunity to swap back to guitar, and the band brings in an old friend John Marchini on bass. Lots of touring, much revelry, and excessive self-abuse follows. Fun? You bet! In the meantime the songs are still flowing, as the writing duties have been taken over by Raymond, Ciaran, and Damian. In fact, the songwriting is getting stronger every year.

The Petrols decide to work with Scott Litt of REM fame to produce their next album, Chemicrazy.

To be continued…