The Boomtown Rats celebrate 50 years since a bunch of rebellious young Irish guys formed the band, with a 12-date UK tour in October and November this year [2025] and the release of an album which collects together the original recordings of a big chunk of their extensive back catalogue.
Asking one of the founder members – bassist, backing vocalist, keyboard player, songwriter and producer Pete Briquette – if five decades ago he could ever have imagined he and the band would still be going 50 years later, he responds: “I would have assumed 50 years ago that I’d be in the home for retired musicians at this stage, so absolutely not.”
He is one of three original members still in the band; along with drummer Simon Crowe and singer (Sir) Bob Geldof. Plus, Alan Dunn on keyboards and Darren Beale on guitar [in the band since 2013] and Paul Cuddeford on guitar.
Pete’s bass lines are most evident on such Boomtown Rats songs as “Rat Trap”, “Banana Republic” and “Like Clockwork”, the last two of which he co-wrote with Bob Geldof.
Pete Briquette was the only Rats member who frequently collaborated with Bob Geldof as a solo artist, playing on some of his biggest solo songs such as “Great Song of Indifference” and “Love or Something”. Pete is a first cousin of Johnnie Fingers, the former main keyboardist in the Boomtown Rats.
The Boomtown Rats formed in 1975 in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland – founded by Bob Geldof (vocals), Garry Roberts (guitar), Johnnie Fingers (keyboards), Pete Briquette (bass), Gerry Cott (guitar), and Simon Crowe (drums).
The band’s big break came with their signing to Ensign Records in 1977, followed by the release of their self-titled debut album. They found international fame with a string of hits, including “Rat Trap,” the first-ever UK # 1 single by an Irish band, and the iconic “I Don’t Like Mondays,” which topped charts around the world.
Their albums, from “A Tonic for the Troops” to “The Fine Art of Surfacing” and “Mondo Bongo”, combined sharp social commentary with infectious melodies, cementing their status as innovators in the punk and post-punk era. They had a string of top 10 hits, platinum albums, and Brit, Ivor Novello and Grammy awards.
In the 80’s, Bob Geldof’s activism took centre stage, culminating in his spearheading of the monumental Live Aid concert in 1985. The Boomtown Rats disbanded in 1986, with the members pursuing individual projects.
After a hiatus of nearly three decades, the band reunited in 2013. In 2020, they released “Citizens of Boomtown”, their first album of new material in over three decades, accompanied by a memoir from Bob Geldof.
This timeless band played alongside The Ramones and Talking Heads on their debut tour, whose lead singer Sir Bob Geldof mobilised entire nations with Live Aid, and inspired a young Bono to form U2.
The “HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOOMTOWN – Celebrating 50 Rat Years 1975-2025” tour will be hitting a dozen theatres across the UK, and will also include a screening of a brand new The Boomtown Rats documentary, featuring exclusive unseen footage.
There is a very special show at London’s Eventim Apollo on 31st October, which celebrates the anniversary of their first ever gig, in Ireland, 50 years to the day. Let’s hope Pete turns up at the right venue this time….
“Oct 31st we are at the Eventim Apollo gig on the tour, the date the band played their very first gig 50 years ago which was in Ireland. We did five nights in a row there once when it was called the Hammersmith Odeon.
“I was very tired and not fully aware of my surroundings, got into a taxi and I ended up going to The Rainbow Theatre in Finsbury Park for a sound check. I walked into the building and onto the stage and there was Hank Marvin and The Shadows on the stage, and I couldn’t work out why. I’d gone to the wrong venue!
“2025 has been an incredible year, with The Rats’ 50th birthday, Live Aid 40, Band Aid 40. The Rats of course were intimately involved with the whole Live Aid thing.
“It’s been a busy year and we have played huge festivals everywhere; Germany, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, England. I really would never have believed at this stage at 50 years that we’d be doing this. The reaction from fans has been incredible at these gigs.”
“The First 50 Years: Songs Of Boomtown Glory” is a bumper compilation album with tracks selected by the fans via an on-line poll, and some chosen by the band; the original recordings. The 24-song 2LP set and 27-song CD will be released on September 19th, 2025,
Pete Briquette: “Track Record”
1. First song you recall hearing as a child?
As a very young child, a song called “Pickin’ A Chicken”, and it is by a singer called Eve Boswell. I’m really ageing myself because I think it was a 78 rpm. [1955, Eve Boswell with Glenn Somers and his Orchestra.]
2. First single you owned?
The Beatles: “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.
3. First LP/album you owned?
It was given to me by my much older brother. He came back from Europe and he brought back a Django Reinhardt record: “Django Reinhardt And The Quintet Of The Hot Club Of France”. That made me discover music outside of the normal thing I heard in my immediate environment. I loved the swing jazz at that age.
4. First CD you owned?
“No Guru, No Method, No Teacher” by Van Morrison. [Van’s 16th studio album, released in 1986 on Mercury Records].
5. Last music you bought and in what format (CD/vinyl/digital download)?
The Rolling Stones: “Exile On Main Street” on CD.
6. Which album would you be happy to receive as a gift?
Any Beatles album [We discuss the tongue in cheek request for that gift preferably being “The White Album” # 1!]
7. Favourite album? (Choose more than one if need be…)
“Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles. Also I would go for Lou Reed: “Transformer.”
8. Best record ever made (can be single/album/EP – and choose more than one if need be)?
“Sgt Peppers…” has been the best album ever made.
9. Guilty secret (or anything unusual or perhaps unexpected) in your music collection?
If I give you my guilty secret then you’ll tell everybody! Weirdly I always feel slightly embarrassed to say it is a song I always liked: “Reach For The Stars” by S Club 7. [Title is “Reach”.] A sweet little pop song that always sounds lovely when I hear it.
10. What does music mean to you and how does it make you feel?
Music is in my core, you know. It’s lived there all my life and I am forever humming and like mumbling a tune, and I retreat into music in hard times as well. I’ve got a double bass which I play at home and it’s a form of therapy.
It’s very important; I mean, I live it. I live it. My life has been lived in a rock and roll world in a really great rock and roll band. So it’s been very much part of my DNA core; in my spirit.
11. Which song or album is a guaranteed mood booster?
Lou Reed: “Transformer”. I just like it; it makes me feel warm and comfortable. I connect with it. [Released in 1972, Lou’s second post-Velvet Underground solo album – produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson].
12. Which song or album would be the soundtrack to a film about your life?
“Let’s Dance” by David Bowie. The track.
13. Your favourite driving track – or music to exercise to?
“All The Young Dudes” by Mott The Hoople. I love that song.
14. Best song or album for a romantic moment?
“Perfect Day” by Lou Reed. [Originally on the “Transformer” album].
15. Which song was played for the “First Dance” at your wedding (if you are married) or which song would you choose if you did get married?
A Van Morrison song: “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You”. I know that’s a really obvious one, but it does work; it’s what my wife loves and it is a beautiful song. I have actually played this song at a funeral for our late tour manager [Mick Owen or “The Mick”] who was also tour manager for Van.
16. Your choice of song to sing at karaoke?
Maybe a Chuck Berry song, perhaps “Johnny B Goode”.
17. Which song takes you back to your childhood – and to which specific memory/memories?
That will be the one I said was the first song I heard as a child, “Pickin’ A Chicken” by Eve Boswell. I do have a memory as a very small kid being allowed to put a record on, and I was so small and I wanted to play that song, they would let me physically put it on the record player. I was about three or four years of age I think, and my mum, brother and sisters were in the room.
18. Favourite band (or bands)?
The Beatles and The Stones, but more current Arctic Monkeys, and at the moment Fontaines DC, a brilliant band. [I ask Pete what about that’ obscure band’ The Boomtown Rats! He says: “Oh yeah, there is them too. We are known as the best band in the world from Dún Laoghaire!”[Also spelled Dunleary].
Besides Bob Geldof? Just to name drop for a second, when we did the final song at Live Aid and The Boomtown Rats played “Feed The World” at the very end of Live Aid, that will always be a moment for me, because the lead singer in the band was Freddie [Mercury], Elton [John], Bono [U2], Bowie, George Michael, Sting and a few others! Plus our normal geezer at the front, Geldof. So any of those. I remixed that track recently.
George Michael is one of my favourite singers…Bowie, Chrissie Hynde and another one out of the normal names would be Karen Carpenter. In my young days I wouldn’t be seen dead within a mile of The Carpenters, but I have re-discovered them and her in my old age. There is an incredible clip on YouTube with Karen Carpenter singing a duet with Ella Fitzgerald. See that. It is from a TV show and they do a medley.
20. Which song would you like played at your funeral?
I have always had a funny one in mind: “Shaddap You Face” by Joe Dolce. But no, I think the real choice would again be, “Perfect Day” by Lou Reed.
Interview by Simon Redley
Photos:
Boomtown Rats live @ CarFest 2025 & Exclusive [Yellow shirt] Pete backstage by Liam Battersby
Boomtown Rats in field pic by Hamish McDonald
