D.C. Nien, who took their name from the postal district Dublin City 9, were one of the biggest bands in the Dublin Punk & New Wave scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
D.C. Nien in action at the Central Bank, Temple Bar (?). l-to-r. Brian Seales, Damien Gunn and an elderly fan. (Taken from http://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/dc9.html)
Kevin Shields from My Bloody Valentine has remarked that “when (he) was at school there were two bands at the time, U2 and D.C. Nien. At the time they were equal on a level of popularity”.
The definitive book Irish Rock (1992) had the following to say about the band:
“D.C. Nien combined a truly awesome live sound with a tough skinhead image. Fronted by singer Damien Gunne, the band married danceable sounds with thought-provoking lyrics, and treaded the same boards as U2 in the late 1970s and early 1980s.”
(Both these quotes were taken from Joey Cashman’s website. Cashman played Sax with D.C. Nein and their successor The Tokyo Olympics. He is currently Shane MaGowan’s manager)
D.C. Nien recorded and released only one single. For the first time online, here are both the A and B sides.
Cover of 'Nightclub'
Lyrics to 'Night Club'
D.C. Nien – Nightclub (1980)
Cover of 'Things Japanese'
Lyrics to 'Things Japanese' and Sleeve Notes
D.C. Nien – Things Japanese (1980)
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Donal
Ciarán
Sam
Come Here To Me! 
I haven’t seen that photo in over 30 years – I’m pretty sure it was taken somewhere in TCD.
Really? You could be right. I’ll ask around.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by U2log.com and Caroline vOdB, The Fanning Archive. The Fanning Archive said: Listen to Dublin punk band D.C. Nien from 1980 courtesy jaycarax over on comeheretome blog http://bit.ly/b0c4bk […]
Just this morning I saw a Tokyo Olympics vinyl in the window of the Oxfam bookshop on Parliament Street. They seem to have a secret stash of gems which they drip-feed into circulation (I got a copy of the second Fureys album which was signed by all 5 a month ago).
A shop worth dipping into regularly.
Thanks a lot for putting these up! D C Nien were truly spellbinding live.
[…] this period interests you, check out previous posts here like this one on DC Nein or this gem from our first week in existence, looking at some of the main first-wave Dublin punk […]
I missed this first time round, I’ve only become aware of your blog recently enough. Great to hear these tracks. I thoroughly enjoy the blog, keep up the good work!
[…] On June 19 2010, I was finally able to get my hands on and upload the classic first and only single from D.C. Nien. (If anyone has their Red Tapes recording, please get in touch!) D.C. Nien – Nightclub (1980) […]
[…] (I’ve already written quite extensively Dublin’s late 1970s/early 1980s Punk & New Wave scene. See The Sense of Ireland (1980), Dave Fanning & The Sportman’s Inn, Classic Dublin Punk/New Wave Singles (The search continues…), Dublin Punk & New Wave Venues (1976-84), The Blades; Revelations (Of 45s) & The Blades Are Sharp, The Atrix, The Spies, & D.C. Nien.) […]
dc nien attracted a skinhead following and i remember a gig benefitting the ucd students union ending in rowdy scenes back around 1979 when a mob of skins turned up.got the single.wonder what rest of band are doin now.one of the blokes from strange movements with the afro drives a van collecting restaurant waste in town-always gives a nod or hello,decent bloke.
heady days indeed ” wonder what the rest of the band are doing now” you ask Gerry ,i have,nt been in touch with the rest of the band for a while but i hear through the grapevine that they are all alive an kicking and mostly living in Dublin I am pretty sure I,m the only one still playing music for a living and am now the vocalist/guitarist with THE POPES and previous to this i spent well over a decade on the road playing guitar with Shane Mac Gowan, the last POPES album was released in march 2010 and Im currently working on a new album titled “new church” due for release in March 2012 as for live I still gig regularly with the POPES and our next major tour of Britain will be with the Stranglers one of my favorite bands back in the day .. …it was a real pleasure to stumble on to this page and see people still remember the good ol/bad ol days..yours Paul MADDOG McGuinness
Howdy Paul remember me? Brian, guitarist with The Scheme – Dundalk? We played McG’s, and maybe a few others, with the DC’s and we met up in London in 1981/2? Good to hear you are still kicking up a storm! Great to see all this stuff being documented! Great days weren’t they despite the bleakness?
Like doojeen I hadn’t seen that picture of DCNein since that year! I think it was TCD as well.
Reason I found my way here to this blog is my brother found my beloved 10 track cassette of the band from 1980. Listening to it now and a million memories flooding back….
Someone mentioned Strange Movements as well… Do I remember them playing a gig on the island in Blackrock Park or am I losing it in my old age 🙂
Think that black rock gig was a 2fm lark in the park , I saw aslan and hot house flowers there for sure one year , oh the memories , 80s were class 😉
Hi Dave
I think this may have been as early as 1979? Don’t think it was a Radio2 gig, but I may be wrong….
Outside the Dining Hall in TCD
Back in 1977, I worked with Brian & Damien in O’Carroll’s Garden Center when it was up on the old back roads to Dublin Airport. It was my first summer job & never knew these guys would be famous till I heard DC Nien & Tokyo Olympics on the wireless a couple of years later.
I read somewhere that Brian Seales is involved in the horticulture business. I’ve no idea where the rest of the guys are, maybe someone can post some info?
Definitely TCD Dining Hall, I remember the gig and the photo, having been there.
Hi ,Johner ex Perfect stranger ,D C neon one of my favourite and prob best musically at the time . They released a 6 track cassette in the 80s ,there was only 200 copies I have one I recently downloaded it onto disc still sounds wicked , Myself the Bass player fro DC and others formed a group to release some music we did The Bodies Ep ! The Chant ,The Departure and Big self
Thank you so much for keeping DC niens music in conversation much love Ken Mahoney drums
Sorry for Mahony it’s mahon