In early 1977, a band of brothers became just that: a band. Fed up with not being allowed into clubs (and five being banned in a week) because of their appearance, three brothers and a few friends became a clique known as The Outcasts. Within months, they were one of the most popular bands in Belfast's emerging punk scene.
At their first gigs, the band played a mix of their own songs and covers of songs by The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Damned and The Ramones. Most of the shows ended in some kind of disaster, leading the local press to nickname the band 'The Band You Love to Hate' due to their bad boy image.
After three studio albums, many 7″s and EPs (many of them were for the legendary Good Vibrations record label), daytime airplay on UK national radio, a song in the UK charts, sessions for the Famous BBC announcer John Peel and Constants During their UK and European tours, the band lost guitarist Getty, who had died, and in 1985 they split up.
The Outcasts reformed in 2011, without Colin on drums, to play the Rebellion Festival in England. This was the beginning of a new chapter for the two remaining brothers and their two new companions. The Outcasts appear in the critically acclaimed and BAFTA-nominated film Good Vibrations and an Arts documentary. [a popular art TV series made in France], which was shown in 2014 in France, Belgium and Germany; Several compilation and live albums have also been released, and they have toured constantly again throughout the UK, Ireland and throughout Europe.
A musical at the Belfast Lyric Theater called 'Good Vibrations' currently shows the band in their teens alongside Undertones and Rudi.
In 2019, The Outcasts released a 4-track EP on vinyl (5 tracks on CD) of new material for the American record label Violator Records. Additionally, another American record label based in Japan released a double album featuring all of their singles plus some sessions and live recordings. The first Japanese tour followed in 2019.
It's a band that still wants it and gets it. It's great to see him live with probably his best years still ahead of him. This band is a legend and a true punk-rock unit that won't be retiring anytime soon.
The band's current lineup consists of originals Greg Cowan on bass and vocals and Martin Cowan on guitar. JP 'Dear Boy Moonie' on drums joined the band eight years ago, and Buck 'Defects' on guitar is the newbie.
In 2023, Outcasts' first world tour took place with Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan.
Good Vibes Christmas Party:
THE OUTCASTS + BRIAN YOUNG & BAND (performing Rudi's songs) + JOHNNY HASH & TERRI HOOLEY DJ (75th birthday set)
SAT 23 DECEMBER 2023
CARE CENTER 2, BELFAST
DOORS 6 PM
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM TICKETMASTER.ES & BRILLO.NET
thanks to our partners at www.xsnoize.com
