Punk – Slugger O'Toole

A celebration of music journalism and Belfast’s musical legacy

Allan LEONARD (Mr Ulster) on November 8, 2025, 10:23 am

| Readers 947

On a memorable evening at The Deer’s Head, music journalist Stuart Bailie launched his new book chronicling 40 years in music journalism — The Song is Nearly Over. The event featured an intimate conversation with Tim Wheeler of Ash, followed by closing reflections and a performance by Terry Hooley, the legendary founder of Good Vibrations record label. The evening brought together three generations of Northern Irish music history, weaving together stories of punk, Britpop, and the transformative power of music journalism. …

Bad Vibes

Dewi on April 17, 2011, 5:26 am

| Readers 23

McKittrick reports in the Indie on the closure of Terri Hooley’s Good Vibrations. He is proud of the fact that he introduced the BBC’s late John Peel to the punk anthem “Teenage Kicks”, which propelled local band The Undertones to international prominence. Peel said it was his favourite song. Mr Hooley is also known for the time he punched John Lennon at a party because the Beatle said something in support of the IRA. He also took Bob Dylan …