The Bats

The Bats were one of five Belfast groups included on the 1966 Ember Records LP compilation Ireland's Greatest Sounds: Five Top Groups From Belfast's Maritime Club. On that album they contributed the original tune "On the Waterfront," an acceptable number with that angry, moody, bluesy edge typical of Belfast bands of the time, from Them downward. Although they did go to London in a drive for greater renown, and cut one single ("Accept It" b/w "Lovers Lie Sleeping") in 1964 for EMI-Columbia produced by Mickie Most, as well as three more singles for English Decca in 1966 and 1967, nothing happened for them on a larger scale. "On the Waterfront" was reissued on the Big Beat compilation Belfast Beat Maritime Blues, an anthology of mid-'60s tracks by Belfast groups. ~ Richie Unterberger & Bruce Eder, Rovi