The Undertones drew inspiration from Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols, and the Ramones. They began practising and playing cover versions of punk rock songs at schools and scout huts under the name "The Hot Rods". Some of the band members were unhappy with the name because there was already another music act with that name. The name The Undertones was chosen by one of the band members who discovered the word in a history book. By 1977 the band were performing their own three-chord pop punk material, and in 1978 they released their debut four-song EP "Teenage Kicks" on Belfast's Good Vibrations record label. The EP became a hit with support from BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel, who considered the title song his all-time favourite. The song "Teenage Kicks" has been covered by many acts.
