Paul McLoone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paul McLoone
Paul McLoone performing on stage with The Undertones in Dublin, Ireland, on 26 November 2023
Background information
Birth name	Paul Martin McLoone
Born	(1967-02-11) 11 February 1967 (age 58) Derry, Northern Ireland
Genres	Punk rock pop punk
Occupation(s)	Musician radio producer voice actor radio presenter
Instruments	Vocals acoustic guitar
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Cooking Vinyl

Paul Martin McLoone (born February 11, 1967) is a musician, radio producer, and voice actor from Derry, Northern Ireland. He is well-known for helping create the Irish comedy show Gift Grub.

Paul McLoone is also the lead singer for the Northern Irish pop-punk band The Undertones. He joined them in November 1999, taking over from their original singer, Feargal Sharkey.

From September 2008 to June 2021, he hosted The Paul McLoone Show on the Irish radio station Today FM. This show played music from less-known Irish and international alternative and indie rock artists. He also hosted Another Side on TXFM, a show that explored the careers of major musicians.

From 2012 to 2016, McLoone was the main host for the Choice Music Prize awards ceremony in Dublin. This annual award celebrates the best Irish album of the year.

Paul McLoone's Career Journey

Starting in Radio

Paul McLoone grew up in Derry's Bogside. He began his radio career in 1985 on BBC Radio Foyle. On the show, he successfully pretended to be Prince Charles in an interview. This helped launch his own radio career.

Before becoming a radio producer, McLoone was the lead singer and guitarist for a band called The Carrellines in the late 1980s. The band released two singles but later broke up. He also managed another band, Schtum.

McLoone then became a radio producer. He produced several shows for the BBC, including his own comedy series McLoone in the early 1990s.

Moving to Dublin and Today FM

In March 1999, McLoone moved to Dublin, Republic of Ireland. He joined the radio station Today FM. He became a producer for The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show.

While working on this show, McLoone helped create and write the comedy series Gift Grub with comedian Mario Rosenstock. They both took part in the comedy sketches. In 2004, after five years, McLoone left Today FM.

For the next few years, McLoone worked independently for various TV and radio stations. He produced many shows, including for the Irish national broadcaster, RTÉ. He worked on popular radio shows like Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1.

In late 2005, Tom Dunne, a musician, asked McLoone to produce his music show, Pet Sounds, on Today FM.

Hosting His Own Radio Show

In August 2008, Tom Dunne left Today FM. McLoone started hosting his own music show. It was first meant to be a temporary role. However, his show became very popular, so he became the permanent host.

The Paul McLoone Show officially started in September 2008. It aired for many years, becoming a popular show for fans of alternative music.

McLoone won several awards for his radio work. In 2012, he won a gold award for Specialist Music Broadcaster Of The Year. He also won awards in 2013, 2014, and 2016 for his music programs and his work on the Choice Music Awards.

An interviewer once described him as "one of the most instantly recognisable voices on Ireland's airwaves."

Working in Television

Paul McLoone has also worked in television. He was a writer and creative consultant for the Jam Media series Funky Fables. He also worked on their award-winning series, Roy, both for CBBC.

He provided the voice of Baboon, a character in the Irish cartoon series Skunk Fu!, which aired from 2007 to 2008.

In 2012, McLoone voiced a father character in the animated film Moon Man. He also appeared in the 2002 film Sunset Heights as a character named Dingo Green.

In 2014, he starred as an Elvis impersonator in the music video for Cherry Bomb by the Irish rock band, The Minutes.

Joining The Undertones

Paul McLoone performing with The Undertones in Dublin, Ireland, in November 2023.

The band The Undertones broke up in 1983. They got back together in November 1999. When their original singer did not want to rejoin, Paul McLoone was asked to become the new lead singer.

The band, with McLoone as their frontman, played their first show together in Derry on November 19, 1999. McLoone had previously been in a band called The Carrellines with The Undertones' drummer, Billy Doherty.

McLoone has recorded two studio albums with The Undertones: Get What You Need (2003) and Dig Yourself Deep (2007). In 2013, they released a new single, "Much Too Late"/"When It Hurts I Count To Ten." They also went on a European tour.

In 2016, The Undertones celebrated their fortieth anniversary with live shows and a book. Since 1999, The Undertones have performed many concerts around the world with McLoone as their permanent lead singer. They continue to have many fans who enjoy their live shows.

Film and TV Appearances