The Undertones in Southampton

The Undertones are a Northern Irish punk band formed in Derry in 1974. Their concise, melodic guitar songs found a wider audience through “Teenage Kicks,” followed by records including the self-titled debut, Hypnotised and the single “My Perfect Cousin.” The Undertones toured the United States supporting The Clash in 1979 and played extensively around Britain during the run of their first two albums. They broke up in 1983; reunion concerts followed in 1999, when Paul McLoone became lead singer. The reunited group has since returned to theatres and festivals, including Glastonbury Festival.

Ruts DC are a British punk and dub band formed in 1980 by members of The Ruts after singer Malcolm Owen’s death. Their early albums Animal Now and Rhythm Collision pushed the group further into dub, while their repertoire also carries The Ruts songs including “Babylon’s Burning,” “In a Rut” and “Staring at the Rude Boys.” A 2007 benefit at Islington Academy brought Segs Jennings, Dave Ruffy and Paul Fox together again under The Ruts name, with Henry Rollins on vocals. That reunion preceded renewed activity as Ruts DC, including the 40 Years of The Crack tour in 2019, when they performed The Ruts’ debut album in full. The band has also returned repeatedly to Rebellion Festival in Blackpool.