That’s cool and all, but for the record, the band that really DESERVED to kick U2’s ass, back in 1977 when they were playing alternating sets in Dublin’s storied Baggot Inn, were The Blades.
In contrast with Bobo and co.'s gormless adolescent mewling, which grew into copycat rawk posturing, The Blades started sharp and clear and grew into a tight, Tamla-influenced mod/powerpop outfit with some truly gifted songwriting from main dude Paul Cleary. Here’s the title track of their one proper studio album from the era (they have recently reunited and released a new one; the below was written by a 19-year-old genius):
Their failure to ever break big is a crying shame, they made truly beautiful music. The band and their backing musicians are still around though and do occasional Christmas gigs in Ireland.
