That Petrol Emotion

by Stephen Thomas ErlewineAfter the Undertones broke up, Sean (formerly known as John) ONeill and fellow Derry DJ Reámann OGormain formed That Petrol Emotion, with Seans brother and Undertones bandmate Damian ONeill joining on bass after the band moved to England. While they were more politically oriented and noisier than the Undertones, they managed to keep their former bands energetic, melodic kick. With their first album, Manic Pop Thrill, That Petrol Emotion became critics favorites, as well as earning a respectable following in the U.K. Over the years, their music remained endlessly diverse, incorporating elements of every style of independent guitar rock. Occasionally, their albums were wildly uncohesive because of this, yet they managed to turn in several excellent songs on each record. Sean left the band after their third album, End of the Millennium Psychosis Blues. The album showed signs that That Petrol Emotions exuberant diversity was beginning to wear thin; their next albums proved that they were running out of things to say. After eight years, That Petrol Emotion broke up in 1994.