Good Vibrations Gave Punks In Northern Ireland A Home

The wall of vinyl at Good Vibrations record shop in Belftast, Ireland

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"During the 1970's, Northern Ireland was seen as a musical wasteland. Bands struggled to get recognition and found it difficult to be heard because of geography and politics. There were few outlets for people to go to hear new music and socialise in a worry free environment. Terri Hooley changed all that.

In the late 1970's Terri opened up the record shop "Good Vibrations" on the most bombed street in Europe at the time. The record shop was a major focal point for the local music scene. Inspired by the people he met through the shop and the talent he saw in Belfast, he set up a label of the same name. The label went on to release music from numerous bands from the Belfast punk and ska scene.

A self confessed, "terrible businessman" Terri oversaw the shop open and close 11 times and the label never really generated much income. Despite all that, Terri kept going.

A colossus of the music scene in Northern Ireland, Terri Hooley is a living legend. Without Terri, many punk bands would have remained unheard of during the Troubles. Terri's bravery and dogged determination ensured that this would not be the case. He sparked a punk revolution that put Belfast back on the musical map.

We spent a weekend with Terri in his beloved city of Belfast. He showed us around some of his old haunts and shed new insights on his life in music. For a 65 year old man, Terri still has the energy and enthusiasm of a young punk."

Client: Red Bull
Director: Ross Killeen
Producer: Ellen Kenny
Camera Operator: Albert Hooi
Editor: Joe Rigby



RBMA 'Terri Hooley' from Motherland on Vimeo.