Belfield UCD
Belfield UCD Burning
A lot has been written about this concert. Unfortunately most of it about the stabbing of a fan in the audience. If you want know more about this follow the link. 4. Belfield Punk Festival 1977 | Hidden History of UCD (wordpress.com).
On this page I will concentrate on the bands that took part in the festival. Radiators From Space, Revolver, The Gamblers, The Vipers, and from the North The Undertones. The concert took place in the canteen of Belfield campus of the University College Dublin. A larger than normal crowd turned up on the night. Estimates of between 600 – 800 fans.
The Vipers
The newly formed Vipers were a late addition to the concert and so do not feature on the poster. They were the opening band on the night. Dave Moloney (Drums) had for a sort period replaced Simon Crowe on drums with the Boomtown Rats. Although he never played out with the band, Dave can be herd playing with them on the Neon Hearts tape. They would go on to tour the UK with the Rats & Thin Lizzy.
The Gamblers
The Gamblers were the only band on the night that did not have a punk background. They were more like a London pub rock band, such as Dr Fleegood or Eddie & the Hot Rods. Phil Fay the guitars is said to have similar style of play Wilko Johnson. The Gamblers also hailed from Clondalkin not Dublin like the others.
Revolver
Revolver were the typical why did they not make it “BIG” band. They had it all, good musicians. In Phil Byrne the had a song writer & singer. Billy Morley was one of the finest ever guitarist Ireland has ever produced. He was also a very talented artists. Maybe they suffered from too many line up changes in their time. Their only 7″ single “Silently Screaming” was one of the finest recordings from that time.
The Undertones
The only band on the night from the north of the boarder. One of John Peel’s favourite bands. In “Teenage Kicks” they produced one of the finest pop songs of all time. The Undertones & Radiators had shared the bill together before at the Baggot Inn and to this day they still do.
Radiators From Space
Something very special happened when Phil Chevron replaced Billy Morley in the embryonic Radiators From Space. Pete Holiday, Steve Rapid & Billy had all been in Greta Garbage & the Trashcans. Ireland’s only glam rock band. Now the Radiators had everything. Two song writers, 3 singers, a great rhythm section & in Steve Rapid someone who could give the band an image.