An Irish punk band who were contemporaries of Stiff Little Fingers and The Undertones are going on tour to mark the release of their first new music in 35 years.
The Outcasts, who were formed in Belfast in 1977, recently released the three-track single Stay Young – their first new record since 1985.
The band were formed by three brothers, Martin, Colin and Greg Cowan, on rhythm guitar, drums and bass respectively, and their mate Getty (Colin Getgood) on lead guitar.
Part of the same Irish punk scene as SLF, Rudi, Protex and many other long-forgotten bands, they recorded eight singles,
They recorded eight singles, contributed tracks to two EPs on Terri Hooley’s now-legendary Good Vibrations label and released three studio albums before going their separate ways in 1985, three years after the death of original drummer Colin Cowan.
Fast forward to 2011, when, after a 26-year gap, The Outcasts reformed to play at Rebellion Punk Festival in Blackpool, the biggest independent festival in the world.
They have been invited to play every year since, and will be playing again in 2020, doing both electric and acoustic sets.
Sadly, original member Getty, who had chosen not to take part in the reunion, died of a brain tumour in 2015.
Since they reformed The Outcasts have toured regularly in the UK, Ireland and across Europe, including a 40th anniversary tour in 2017.
Last year they toured Japan for the first time, playing five sold-out gigs, and early this year they released a new single, Stay Young, on US label Violated Records.
The release – their first new music since 1985 – has three tracks on vinyl and five on CD, including a cover of The Pressure’s On, by Belfast contemporaries Rudi.
Their past output is being celebrated in March 2020 when Captain Oi!/Cherry Red Records release a triple CD boxset of all their recorded output between 1978-85, including two John Peel sessions.
They are also hitting the road for the following dates:
Feb 28 – CH – Luzern, Sedel
Feb 29 – FR – Montbéliard, Atelier des Moles
May 2 – UK – London, O2 Forum Kentish Town, with Exploited
May 7 – UK – Leeds, Brudenell
May 8 – UK – Southampton, Joiner’s
May 9 – UK – Cardiff, No Future Festival
June 6 – UK – Manchester, O2 Ritz, North West Calling Festival
Jul 3 -FR – Rennes, Mondo Bizarro
Jul 4 – FR – Paris, venue tba
Aug 6 – UK – Blackpool, Rebellion Festival
Aug 7 – UK – Blackpool, Rebellion Festival, acoustic stage
Sep 25 – IE – Dublin, Olympia, with Therapy
Oct 11 – UK – Sheffield, HRH Punk Festival
