A to Z of N. Ireland Punk Bands

RAINE

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Raine came from Downpatrick in County Down and were Hugh O’Boyle lead guitar, Micky Fitzsimmons, Drums ‘Skippy’ Andrew's Vocals, and Steve Jones, Bass.
The band’s roots go back as far as 1973 and they played on the local show band circuit in the mid 70’s before changing direction after playing with Pretty Boy Floyd and the Gems ( themselves an old Show band, Candy!). They began to include covers Elvis Costello, TRB, Sex Pistols and Jilted John in their set, which they rehearsed regularly in an old caravan in Hugh’s back yard.
The band were managed by Jim Miskimmon who secured them quite a few very high profile support slots to touring English bands such as The Stranglers the Ulster Hall on 7th September 1978 on their Pubs and Clubs Tour (see above - Photograph © Sean Hennessy). Other high profile support gigs included XTC & The Lurkers at The Pound, Marmalade and The Count Bishops.
Sadly Raine never managed to record anything before they split in spring of 1979, when Hugh jumped ship to Join Victim and relocated to Manchester.
Micky went on to join his older brother in Purple Haze , a traditional rock covers band in Downpatrick, Hugh eventually returned to Co Down in 1994 and now plays in an occasional Glam Rock band with the McKee brothers who found international fame in Rosetta Stone.
Hugh O’Boyle passed away suddenly on Friday 29th December 2023. R.I.P.
If anyone has any further information or photographs of this band, then please DO get in contact via spit77to82@aol.com