THAT PETROL EMOTION - Manic Pop Thrill

LP Demon Records 1986
CD reissue Diablo Records 1997 with bonus tracks



"Damian and John O'Neill left the ashes of the Undertones behind with few prospects for their musical future. While Feargal Sharkey began his transformation into a boring California pop chanteur, they lay low, quietly scorning the business that had shattered their teenage dreams. After several false starts, they launched That Petrol Emotion, an excellent Gaelic-conscious quintet that built on past accomplishments without revisiting them. Damian took up bass, big brother John (now known as Seán) and Derry homeboy Reámann O'Gormáin play guitar, drummer Ciaran McLaughlin and New York (by way of Seattle) singer Steve Mack completed the band, which was politically aware, occasionally abrasive and devoutly independent. Manic Pop Thrill is an apt title for an album of angry, articulate rock melodies that span the continuum from sweet balladry to PiL/Fall-like noise. Mack is a fine, controlled shouter in the Keith Relf/Steve Marriott tradition; the band's combination of slide guitars, Bo Diddley beats, wild harmonica wailing and raveup energy recalls the early Stones, Yardbirds and Velvet Underground. The utter lack of nostalgia or revivalism here suggests that, even with all the crap that masquerades as music nowadays, some things about rock 'n' roll will never die".
(Ira Robbins, Trouser Press)

"That Petrol Emotion's scintillating debut reminds everyone, first and foremost, what an incredible musical alliance the O'Neill brothers can be. Following a succession of independent singles (after all, who wanted to touch a couple of ex-Undertones in the mid-'80s?), they settled on Demon for this inspired debut. It's a Good Thing, Mouth Crazy, and Circusville are typical of the contents - relentless pop hooks married to surging guitar chords, underpinned by hints of swamp blues and nods to garage rock and other mutant strains of the rock & roll animal. As naked, bold, and impassioned a record as had been heard in years. The title says it all".
(Alex Ogg, All-Music Guide)

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