Never say never, did the Boomtown Rats say to each other two years ago and unexpectedly looked for the spotlight of the big stage again - after a break of almost three decades. Created during the punk-dominated upheaval of rock music, Rats singer Bob Geldof still stands for the attitude of the beery iconoclasts - and immediately follows suit against progressive rock.
At the beginning of 2013 Bob Geldof announced the reunion of the Boomtown Rats. The 63-year-old headed the band, which was equally oriented towards punk, pop, ska, reggae and rock, between 1975 and 1986. In 2013 the Rats made a spectacular appearance at the "Isle of Wight"-Festival and played as support act for the Toten Hosen at an Open Air in Hoyerswerda. Not much for a comeback, it seems. But when you consider that the Irishman, who was knighted by the Queen in 1986 for his fight against the famine in Ethiopia, has little time to tour due to his still great social commitment, this has been a respectable start. And in May it really starts: Then the original Boomtown Rats with Geldof, Gerry Roberts, Gerry Cott, Johnny Fingers, Pete Brickett and Simon Crowe come to Germany for three concerts to present classics like "I Don't Like Mondays", "Banana Republic" or "Rat Trap" live. Motto of the gigs: Punk Forever!
eclipsed: Your career started in Dublin in 1975 with The Nightlife Thugs, who played solid Rhythm & Blues. The following year the band went to London, renamed themselves The Boomtown Rats and moved more towards ska and punk. How did the radical change of style come about?
Bob Geldof: I didn't think it was that radical. First of all we were all musical children of the 60s in the group. And Irish. So we were into blues. In 1976 we added a big pinch of punk because we hated this pompous progressive rock shit from bands like Genesis, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Punk made a clear statement against this pompous garbage. And the Boomtown Rats were enthusiastic about this scene.
eclipsed: Who did you orientate yourself on in 1976?
Geldof: Of course to the Sex Pistols, they were the pioneers of the whole thing. And of course the pub rockers Dr. Feelgood. Without their direct, unglamorous sound there would never have been punk and the Boomtown Rats.
