Coinciding with the implosion of Fianna Fáil and the inevitable trundling in of our new Fianna Gael overlords is a great weekend of music in Murray’s Bar on O’Connell Street. It looks set to be a busy weekend for us here at CHTM! too, with our involvement in both gigs. JayCarax and DFallon are spinning the decks on Friday night at the ever excellent Punky Reggae Party while I’ll be hitting the stage at some point on the Saturday night at the above gig; a thumping line-up containing Dublin crust legends Easpa Measa, Droppin’ Bombs and newbies Dirge. Following the bands will be Punky Reggae DJs until 2.30 AM. The gig is a joint fundraiser for the IPSC, AFA and the St. Pauli Supporters Club Dublin.
————————————–
Doors @ 9pm, first band @ 10pm.
Entrance – €8 waged / €5 unwaged.
This one, from the History Ireland Hedge School, looks interesting. Sam in particular has frequently uploaded slabs of classic Dublin vinyl to the site here, and the blog has been known to be a bit nostalgic for a period, although not being old enough to recall it ourselves! We’ll be on hand at this event to provide the noise, so come along. I can hear you now, “Really, is that them?”
Date: Sunday, 12th September 2010
Time: 3pm
Title: ‘Dublin’s late ‘70s New Wave scene’
Description:A History Ireland Hedge School-Blasting back to the70’s.
Venue: Phibsborough Library,
North Circular Road,
Dublin 7.
Tickets: N/A, show up on the day.
Tommy Graham from History Ireland will host the event, joined by a varied group of individuals, including our favourite journo Fintan O’ Toole, Counciller Cieran Perry, Eamon Delaney, David Donnelly and Billy McGrath. Each of these people bring something unique to the discussion, ranging from organising concerts at the time, to an understanding of the diverse youth cultures and cliques that emerged from the scene at the time, sometimes quite literally clashing. Some of the bands that emerged at the time remain household names, the likes of U2 coming to mind instantly. Others have become cult classics. Bands like DC Nien, The Atrix and their kind still hold pride of place in many vinyl collections.
If 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 singles. When you’re feeling nostalgic (Maybe you were there?), write the date down and come along on the day and share a story. If you’re younger like ourselves come along and hear a story or two. Regardless, come along.
The History Ireland Hedge School will be hosting some historical discussions at this years Electric Picnic too, a slighty more muddy setting than Phibsborough.
Their first The Moon Is Puce came out in 1979 on Mulligan Records. It was produced by Philip Chevron, then a member of The Radiators From Space and later of The Pogues. This is the first time that the B-Side Wendy’s In Amsterdam has been uploaded online.
In 1980, the band signed to DoubleDee Records. Their second single Treasure On The Wasteland was produced by Midge Ure. Again, this is the first time that the b-side of this single, Graphite Pile, has been uploaded online.
Lyrics, Treasure On The Wasteland.
Their first and only album, Procession, was released in 1981 on Scoff Records. The single Procession and the B-Side The 11th Hour was issued with it.
For more information on the band, check out their Irish Punk & New Wave Discography entry here.
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.
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.
The Blades’ first single was released on Energy Records in the summer of 1980.
The A side, Hot For You, is a singalong pop punk masterpiece. It was recorded by the original Blades line up (1977 – 81): Paul Cleary on vocals and bass, his brother Lar on Guitar and Pat Larkin on drums. Interestingly, at Ramport Studios in Battersea.
So, come outside baby
now the time is right
with your brand new shades and your jeans so tight,
well the sun is burning and I’m getting hot for you…
(From irishrock.org) Tour magazine. Circa 1980
The B-Side, Reunion, is a simple, fast paced tune with Paul Cleary’s typical lyrical genius.
I talk to her sister whenever I can
trying to make a connection
I used to write letters but threw them away
‘Cause I’m afraid of rejection.
This will be hopefully be the first of a series of pieces on classic Dublin punk and new wave singles.
Click on the book for more.
Click on the book for more.
Come Here To Me! 