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The Boomtown Rats

From Alfawiki
The Boomtown Rats
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1975 in Dublin, Ireland
Headquarters
Dublin
,
Ireland
ProductsMusic albums, singles

The Boomtown Rats are a rock and new wave group originating from Dublin, Ireland, established in 1975. Between the years 1977 and 1985, they secured several hits in Ireland and the UK, such as "Like Clockwork", "Rat Trap", "I Don't Like Mondays", and "Banana Republic". The band's initial lineup consisted of six members: Gerry Cott on rhythm guitar, Simon Crowe on drums, Johnnie Fingers handling keyboards, Bob Geldof as the vocalist, Garry Roberts playing lead guitar, and Pete Briquette on bass. Although they disbanded in 1986, the group reunited in 2013 without Fingers and Cott. Garry Roberts passed away in 2022. While their musical contributions are notable, the band's recognition has often been overshadowed by Bob Geldof’s humanitarian efforts.

Origins

Formed primarily by musicians from Dún Laoghaire along with Pete Briquette from Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, the band came together in 1975. Initially managed by Geldof himself, he soon assumed lead vocal duties, replacing Garry Roberts. The group was originally named The Nightlife Thugs but adopted the name The Boomtown Rats during their debut performance on Halloween at Dublin’s Bolton St College of Technology. This new name was inspired by Woody Guthrie’s childhood gang mentioned in Bound for Glory. At intermission during that first show, Geldof altered the stage blackboard to display ‘The Boomtown Rats’.

In mid-1976, they performed their first concert in the UK followed by appearances in Amsterdam and Groningen before relocating to London. Subsequently, they signed with Ensign Records. Their first single, "Lookin' After No. 1", was released in August 1977 after extensive touring including supporting Tom Petty, reaching number 11 on the UK singles chart. Their debut album The Boomtown Rats included the track "Mary of the 4th Form", which peaked at number 15. Music critic Martin C. Strong highlighted Geldof’s “moody charisma” as a defining element of their sound.

Rise to Prominence

Collaborating with producer Mutt Lange, the band released their second album A Tonic for the Troops in 1978. The leading single "She's So Modern" climbed to number 12 on UK charts, followed by a headline UK tour that concluded with a filmed performance at Hammersmith Odeon. Their subsequent single "Like Clockwork" reached number 6 in the UK. In November of that year, "Rat Trap" achieved the distinction of being the first Irish rock song to top the UK charts and also marked the first new wave track to do so. Columbia Records issued a U.S. version featuring a slightly altered tracklist.

In 1979, they recorded another album with Lange and embarked on a U.S. tour that met with moderate success. The single "I Don't Like Mondays", inspired by a school shooting incident in California, topped the UK charts but was their sole entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. This song appeared on their third album The Fine Art of Surfacing, released in November, which also included two other UK Top 10 singles: "Diamond Smiles" and "Someone's Looking at You".

By December 1980, their single "Banana Republic" reached number 3 on UK charts, preceding their fourth album Mondo Bongo (1981), produced by Tony Visconti. Singles such as "Elephant's Graveyard (Guilty)" and the title track had limited chart success during this period. Guitarist Gerry Cott departed from the band around this time, reducing them to five members. The single "Never in a Million Years" peaked at number 62 in the UK.

Their fifth studio album V Deep, also produced by Visconti, was released in February 1982. Its single "House on Fire" reached number 24 in the UK; however, subsequent singles failed to chart. Initially rejected for release in the U.S., a four-track EP titled The Boomtown Rats was issued instead; later that year saw the full album's American release. That same year, Geldof appeared in Alan Parker’s film Pink Floyd – The Wall.

Recorded in 1983 but initially turned down by their record label, their sixth album In The Long Grass finally saw release in May 1984 but did not enter the charts. Due to financial difficulties, their performances were largely confined to university venues by this time. Singles such as "Tonight" and "Drag Me Down" achieved modest positions on UK charts while others failed to chart altogether.

Involvement with Band Aid increased their visibility; a revised version of In The Long Grass was launched in the U.S. in January 1985 and reached number 188 on American charts despite underwhelming single sales. They also took part in Live Aid’s charity concert.

The track "Dave" from In The Long Grass was re-recorded as "Rain" for its U.S. release; it addressed personal tragedy experienced by saxophonist David McHale following his girlfriend’s death related to heroin use.

Disbandment

Following their involvement in Live Aid, the group entered a period of inactivity as Geldof concentrated on the Band Aid Trust. Their concluding live appearance took place at Self Aid in May 1986 at Dublin’s RDS, an event dedicated to highlighting Irish unemployment issues. Their 12-minute performance of "Joey's on the Street Again" incorporated an extended bridge where Geldof interacted with the audience, and featured Woody Guthrie's "Greenback Dollar," providing a fitting finale. Geldof closed with the words, "It's been a great ten years; rest in peace," before they delivered "Looking After No.1".

After disbanding, Geldof embarked on a solo path while Pete Briquette remained a frequent collaborator. Garry Roberts shifted from co-writing for Kirsty MacColl to establishing a successful career in financial services sales, later leading guitar workshops that highlighted the impact of blues on contemporary music.

Johnnie Fingers moved into record production in Japan and became a member of the band Greengate. Simon Crowe joined the West Country Celtic instrumental ensemble Jiggerypipery and also managed a clock-making enterprise.

In 2005, their albums underwent remastering and were reissued along with a 'Best Of' collection and two DVDs. Briquette handled mixing for the live DVD, while Francesco Cameli worked on additional tracks at Sphere Studios in London.

The Rats

In 2008, Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe established "The Rats" alongside Alan Perman (formerly of Herman's Hermits) and Bob Doyle (who had auditioned for E.L.O.), performing Boomtown Rats’ hits using two guitars, bass, and drums. The group was initially led by Peter Barton—who had collaborated with acts such as The Animals and The Hollies—before Bob Bradbury from Hello took over vocal duties. Darren Beale (previously with The Caves) played lead guitar. Saxophonist Andy Hamilton, who had toured with The Boomtown Rats including Live Aid, appeared as a guest at several performances.

Gerry Cott and Johnnie Fingers were invited to participate when their schedules permitted; Cott joined them at their second show at The 100 Club, London, while Fingers planned guest spots during UK visits despite obligations at Japan’s Fuji Rock Festival.

On 21 June 2009, Geldof reunited with Roberts and Briquette in Dublin to perform "Dave" at a tribute event honoring saxophonist "Doctor" Dave MacHale.

On 20 September 2011, Gerry Cott appeared as a guest with Geldof’s band at The Cadogan Hall, London, performing three Boomtown Rats tracks before encore numbers and joining for two of Geldof’s solo songs.

Reformation of The Boomtown Rats

In 2013, Bob Geldof, Gary Roberts, Pete Briquette, and Simon Crowe came together once again as The Boomtown Rats, supplemented by Alan Dunn on keyboards and Darren Beale on guitar. Geldof expressed enthusiasm: "Playing again with the Rats and revisiting those great songs will be exciting anew. We were an incredible band, and I feel now is the right moment to re-Rat, to return to Boomtown for a visit." That June, they announced a UK and Ireland tour alongside a new compilation album titled Back to Boomtown: Classic Rats Hits. They appeared at the Brentwood Festival in 2016, where Geldof stirred controversy by criticizing the audience. In April 2017, they entered the studio to work on fresh material for their first studio album since In the Long Grass (1984). Their album Citizens of Boomtown was released in March 2020, featuring the lead single "Trash Glam Baby".

In 2025, The Boomtown Rats reunited for a 12-date UK tour celebrating their 50th anniversary. Concurrently, a two-album compilation entitled The First 50 Years: Songs of Boomtown Glory was issued on vinyl and CD on 19 September 2025.

Members

Present

accompanied by

  • Alan Dunn – piano, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Darren Beale – rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • Paul Cuddeford – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Steve ‘Smiley’ Barnard – drums, backing vocals

Past

Timeline


Studio albums

UK Top 40 singles

See also

External links

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