Seán O'Néill

Who is Seán O'Néill?

John Joseph O'Neill is the rhythm guitarist and principal songwriter within the punk/New Wave band The Undertones. O'Neill, along with his younger brother Vincent and friends Feargal Sharkey, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty, founded The Undertones in 1975, although Vincent O'Neill was replaced the following year with his younger brother, Damian O'Neill, who became the lead guitarist within the band.

John O'Neill was the principal songwriter in The Undertones: writing the majority of the band's singles and a number of album tracks. Songs written by John O'Neill include the singles "Teenage Kicks", "Jimmy Jimmy", "Here Comes The Summer","You've Got My Number" and notable album tracks such as "When Saturday Comes" and "You're Welcome".

After releasing four albums and thirteen singles, The Undertones disbanded in 1983, although they reformed in 1999. Since this date, the band have released two further albums and performed a number of gigs in both the UK, Ireland, Europe and North America.

In 1985, the O'Neill brothers formed That Petrol Emotion, an acclaimed rock act who disbanded in 1994.