Iconic 80s band reunites for first gig in Ireland and plans new music decades after split
HAIRCUT 100 frontman Nick Heyward has revealed how much of an influence The Undertones had on the appearance of his chart-topping band.
The sweater-wearing pop group, known for their hits “Love Plus One” and “Fantastic Day,” was on the verge of becoming the biggest pop group of the ’80s before singer Nick dropped out for personal reasons.
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But the newly formed Haircut 100 will play their first ever Irish show at Vicar Street next month.
Nick told The Irish Sun: “We were supposed to play Ireland in the 80s but we split up before the show happened. I guess the group shot across the sky like a comet.”
Famous for her favorite shirts, which were also one of her biggest hits, Nick revealed it was Derry band The Undertones who inspired her unique look.
Nick said: “I loved Undertones songs like My Perfect Cousin and Wednesday Week and how they sang about suburbia. But what also spoke to me was singer Fergal Sharkey’s clothing.”
“He was singing Jimmy Jimmy on Top Of The Pops and was wearing a parka with an orange hood. The Undertones were a mix of magic and courage.”
Haircut 100 had their own time to shine, a string of top 10 hits and their debut album Pelican West rose to number 2 in the UK album charts as Nick was featured on the cover of Smash Hits and every music magazine.
Having been thrust into the spotlight at such a young age, Nick said he feels bad for today’s young stars like Lewis Capaldi.
Nick said: “I feel for the guy and my heart broke for him when I saw him at Glastonbury.”
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“I would never judge if someone sings out of tune or is having a bad day. I just hope someone takes care of him because he really needs it.”
“I would say, ‘Call Nick Heyward’ because for me it’s not like that anymore, now there’s help.”
“But Lewis is a brilliant singer who has written one of the best songs of the last 20 years.”
Engaging in bodybuilding and Australian soaps helped Nick through some of his worst times.
He revealed: “After the band split up I was between deals and really started watching ‘Neighbours.’ I knew more about Madge Bishop (the ‘Neighbours’ character) than anyone else in England.”
But her timeless music still had many fans.
Nick said: “When the internet came along we realized we had fans all over the world. It was amazing.”
“We never knew they were there and now we are going to play in front of them for the first time.”
The reformed Haircut 100 hope to follow in the footsteps of another 80s star Rick Astley, who sold out venues and played Glastonbury this year.
Nick said: “Rick was never cool. Now he’s the coolest man on the planet and he’s in total control.”
Haircut 100 plan to record a brand new album, but promise their reunion shows will be full of songs everyone loves.
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Nick added: “We’ve been known to play our biggest hits twice at our show if people want that.”
Haircut 100 play their first Irish show at Vicar Street on October 10th.
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