The Corner Boys were formed in Derry back in the summer of 1978. With an average age of just 15, Ken McLaughlin vocals, Peter Roddy guitar, Linus McLaughlin bass and Ciaran McLaughlin on drums played covers such as ‘Fan Club’ by The Damned and 'You're Gonna Kill That Girl' by The Ramones. They even did a cover of The Beatles ‘Twist and Shout’ and penned one original composition entitled ‘Last Years Thing’.

The band received some coverage in local fanzines such as Omagh’s Positive Reaction and played local gigs, mainly supporting The Moondogs. Ciaran McLaughlin recalls one such gig “We once played a Derry nightclub called Oscars - supporting The Moondogs. As soon as we came offstage a couple of bouncers approached us and promptly ejected us for being underage! True teenage kicks”

The Corner Boys were on the bill for the 'Come And Feel The Noise' gig staged at the Orchard Gallery in Derry in July 1979 which was headlined by The Undertones. It was basically three nights of music by local Derry bands, Ciaran McLaughlin remembers this gig fondly “I ended up playing drums for The Undertones that night as Billy Doherty had injured himself . Very exciting for a 16 year old!

However, The Corner Boys split shortly after this as the band members had to go back to school to study for their up and coming exams. Drummer Ciaran McLaughlin later went on to drum and write songs in That Petrol Emotion.