The Outcasts (band)

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The Outcasts were a punk band, formed in Belfast in June 1977 bythe three Cowan brothers, Greg (vocals / bass), Martin (guitar/vocals), Colin (drums) and their friend Colin 'Getty' Getgood (guitar), playing their first gig two months later. 'You're A Disease' / 'Don't Want To Be No Adult' / 'Frustration' (It, 1978) is easily the roughest sounding early Outcasts single, 'You're A Disease' stands out as the best track. 'Frustration' was later re-recorded for the 1982 LP 'Blood & Thunder'.

'Just Another Teenage Rebel' / 'Love Is For Sops' (Good Vibrations, 1978) captures the Outcasts at their best, punk rock with a pop edge, both tracks are classics. Came in the trademark Good Vibes foldout poster sleeve in several different colours, a 2nd pressing was issued in early 1979 with a different cover. 'The Cops Are Comin' (Good Vibrations, 1979) was released as part of a double single package 'Battle Of The Bands' featuring three other local bands, namely Rudi, Spider and the Idiots. A nasty little tale about killing your girlfriend and having sex with her corpse.

http://www.punk77.co.uk/graphics/outcasts/Outcasts-(Self-Conscious-LP.jpg

Their first LP 'Self Conscious Over You' (Good Vibrations, 1979) was recorded over 5 days at Wizard Studios in Belfast in April 1979 and released 3 months later, the album featured sax on 3 of the tracks and was a little poppier than previous recordings, though a cheap production helped maintain the punk feel of their earlier work. 'You're A Disease', 'Love Is For Sops' and 'The Cops Are Comin' were all re-recorded for this LP, none were as good as the originals. Despite being a little naive lyrically, this still stands up as a good album. Two of the best songs from the LP 'Self Conscious Over You' / 'Love You For Never' (Good Vibrations, 1979) were released as a single a few months later 'Self Conscious Over You' always reminds me of the Glitter Band's hit 'Just For You' complete with a sax break, handclaps and a catchy chorus. 'Love You For Never' is just as good featuring the classic line "...being in love only means you pay for two"

Their singles were released on Good Vibrations records.