The Undertones - Mars Bars and Teenage Kicks

Jun 20, 2008 at 6:19 AM
3 comments

06/20/2008 06:13:30 ♥ written by vu (

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The Undertones - Mars Bars

The Undertones

Mars-almond

1 comment

I had another review that was scheduled to go up today, but inspired by a dream I had just now (I just woke up, it's 4am now), I'm going to write about something else... My dream involved a mobster about to kill a gay music director at a banquet. After I drove the drunken mobsters home, all that was left at the banquet were Mars Bars. Now I'm not sure if the technology exists now (it certain exists in Futurama), but I'll bet the Mars Bar people would love to advertise in people's dream!

Apparently, according to wikipedia, the US and UK had very different versions of Mars Bar. The UK version was a sweeter version of Milky Way (US version), while in the States, Mars Bar had notably almonds in it.

The US candy bar was discontinued in the US in 2002 and the branding changed to Snickers Almond Bar. This is sad, considering The Mars Rover could really use a snack with all that digging.

The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

Fortunately this all ties in to one of my favorite b-side, The Undertones' "Mars Bars" (off of the single Jimmy, Jimmy in 1979). They were probably better known for being a John Peel's favorite band from their first single "Teenage Kicks".

I love this song, it has all that garage inspired feel of 70s punk (think Ramones and Buzzcocks), yet it's very accessibly and poppy. Obviously, I'm not the only one that loves this song, it's become one of most-covered songs, including Peter Bjorn and John, The Raconteurs, Sahara Hotnights, Snow Patrol, Razorlight, Ash, Skunk Anansie, Busted, Groovie Ghoulies, The Saw Doctors, Therapy?, Nouvelle Vague, Green Day, Thee Headcoatees, Franz Ferdinand, The Coral, Violent Delight, Criminal Mischief, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, KT Tunstall, and Seabear.

Although I don't have all the cover songs, but here are five: