Nun Attax

[Johnnyc]

they are a band I saw name checked in something I read a few days ago.

Were they from Cork or has anyone any information on them?

Great name for a band.

[Jim Comic]

http://phoenixhairpins.blog spot.com/2007/01/five-go-down-to-sea.html

[Jim Comic]

http://dublinopinion.com/2007/11/18/great-irish-bands-part-13-five-go-down-to-the-sea/

http://irishrock.org/ipnw/f.html

http://www.setantarecords.c om/php/products.php

Campus Radio had an excellent documentary about Donnelly called 'get that monster off the stage' which is re-broadcast every now and then, well worth listening out for

there was a video version shown in triskel too a few years back featuring loads of pix by Ciaran O'Touma

[Johnnyc]

Nice one Jim you're as reliable as ever. I've heard of that Five Go down to Sea band alright, a bit before my time though!

[Jim Comic]

http://counago-and-spaves.blogspot.com/2005/04/well-worth-wait.html

[Jim Comic]

markyboy or conor a should have more info on nun attax than i do i imagine

[PigCapitalist]

I found out recently that a nunatak was a mountain formation in Antarctica. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunatak

[markyboy]

I'll up the tracks again over the weekend

http://www.peoplesrepublico fcork.com/~peoplesr/forums/showthread.php?t=116 999

PigCapitalist said "I found out recently that a nunatak was a mountain formation in Antarctica."

How, when and why? :D

[PigCapitalist]

I'll up the tracks again over the weekend

http://www.peoplesrepublico fcork.com/~peoplesr/forums/showthread.php?t=116 999

PigCapitalist said "I found out recently that a nunatak was a mountain formation in Antarctica."

How, when and why? :D

In a documentary on geology. Science channel, a few weeks ago. I wonder if the biys knew that, might have been an in joke.

[mvcork]

A mounting [sic]formation in your brain i'd say!!
I found out recently that a nunatak was a mountain formation in Antarctica. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunatak

[mvcork]

Great band in their day but i am not sure if their music survived the test of time having listened to the Kaught at the Kampus e.p. recently.Some crack seeing them in the 'ARC' back in the old days though :D

[conor a]

i'd be inclined to agree with that (going on recordings alone, bearing in mind i never saw either band), fgdtts sound like a better band, as if nunattax were the rough draft and fgdtts the developed idea (for those not in the know, fgdtts featured two (or was it three? help me out here jim comic or p mcd) members of nunattax)
either way, the background to these bands is a vital part of cork heritage in general, not just musical

[mvcork]

Ditto that.The only pity is that Donnellys life was cut off so early.I wonder what he would have gone on to do.Something very interesting no doubt.I remember him well.He was a good friend of my sister and a regular visitor to our house.We grew up 5 houses apart.Lovely bloke.

i'd be inclined to agree with that (going on recordings alone, bearing in mind i never saw either band), fgdtts sound like a better band, as if nunattax were the rough draft and fgdtts the developed idea (for those not in the know, fgdtts featured two (or was it three? help me out here jim comic or p mcd) members of nunattax)
either way, the background to these bands is a vital part of cork heritage in general, not just musical

[dj complex]

i remember as a kid seeing donnely on 'anything goes' one sat morning singing 'white cortina'

after that, i kept spotting him around town

bald head, brown suit & a strange gait!

[mvcork]

The very man.


i remember as a kid seeing donnely on 'anything goes' one sat morning singing 'white cortina'

after that, i kept spotting him around town

bald head, brown suit & a strange gait!

:D

[Jim Comic]

(for those not in the know, fgdtts featured two (or was it three? help me out here jim comic or p mcd) members of nunattax)


two i think, though i could be wrong

[Jim Comic]

Great band in their day but i am not sure if their music survived the test of time having listened to the Kaught at the Kampus e.p. recently.Some crack seeing them in the 'ARC' back in the old days though :D


i think ricky's guitar work would stand comparison with almost any post-punk band, 'tis awesome

[conor a]

i remember as a kid seeing donnely on 'anything goes' one sat morning singing 'white cortina'

after that, i kept spotting him around town

bald head, brown suit & a strange gait!

intriguing, inspiring character, no doubt about it

[markyboy]

The late Bill Graham of Hot Press was a big supporter. There was an article in HP about the Cork music scene at the time and a classic picture of Finbarr with a candystripe haircut. He was, AFAIK, Cork's first "punk" though I stand to be corrected on this.

As part of a scene, the music was relevant but not everything. I remember him willing people on to spit at him and sticking his head further into the crowd to ensure he was covered in it.

FGDTTS were a different kettle of fish altogether.

Ricky Dineen was a very important part in this whole process and was Finbarr Donnelly's friend, who was in his band, which was brilliant.

[Jim Comic]

As part of a scene, the music was relevant but not everything. I remember him willing people on to spit at him

is that a confession?

[markyboy]

Nope. Only an observation. I remember one gig, them supporting UB40 no less, and he had spit dripping off him. Fairly manky TBH

[Jim Comic]

Nope. Only an observation. I remember one gig, them supporting UB40 no less, and he had spit dripping off him.

ugh!

[Jim Comic]

paul's just finished the new edit of the Donnelly documentary and it's real good, he should have it online soon i do believe

[conor a]

Ricky Dineen was a very important part in this whole process and was Finbarr Donnelly's friend, who was in his band, which was brilliant.

having heard the new edit, ricky's contributions are the most interesting to my ears (not surprising, i suppose, as he was probably closest to finbarr) - there's a poignancy to his words...

[paddypaws]

Their will be a broadcast of the documentary on CCR 98.3FM and Dublin City 103FM (formally Anna Liva FM ) on the 14th of February to mark their first gig as Five Go down to Sea.

[Jim Comic]

Their will be a broadcast of the documentary on CCR 98.3FM and Dublin City 103FM (formally Anna Liva FM ) on the 14th of February to mark their first gig as Five Go down to Sea.

daycent

[PigCapitalist]

paul's just finished the new edit of the Donnelly documentary and it's real good, he should have it online soon i do believe

link please, when ready

[Jim Comic]

link please, when ready

as soon as i get it i'll pot it here

[paddypaws]

it will be here (http://www.ucc.ie/ccr) from the 14th onwards

[conor a]

Their will be a broadcast of the documentary on CCR 98.3FM and Dublin City 103FM (formally Anna Liva FM ) on the 14th of February to mark their first gig as Five Go down to Sea.

great news

[azfad]

great news

fantastic news indeed. were giordai and john byrne interviewed i wonder.

[Jim Comic]

giordai was anyways, not sure about john

other interviewees include: cathal coughlan, ricky, shane fitzsimmons, john robb, sean o'hagan, rory cobbe, morty mccarthy, and many more

[conor a]

fantastic news indeed. were giordai and john byrne interviewed i wonder.

giordai was indeed interviewed, and john byrne, although not interviewed, was a mine of information and help

[Loftydog]

Nice one paddy

[roulette dares]

any chance of an (re)upload of that nun attax stuff, anybody?

[mvcork]

giordai was anyways, not sure about john

other interviewees include: cathal coughlan, ricky, shane fitzsimmons, john robb, sean o'hagan, rory cobbe, morty mccarthy, and many more
Morgan the bouncer!!

[conor a]

any chance of an (re)upload of that nun attax stuff, anybody?


do you mean the music or the documentary?

[roulette dares]

do you mean the music or the documentary?Both! :-D

[Jim Comic]

ricky, or someone skilled in these matters, should do a myspace for the 5gdtts/beethoven stuff, get it out there like.

[markyboy]

ricky, or someone skilled in these matters, should do a myspace for the 5gdtts/beethoven stuff, get it out there like.

I've suggested that to him before but haven't seen him in a while.

[conor a]

Both! :-D

the doc should be available for download soon anyway

[Jim Comic]

Get That Monster Off The Stage

A Radio Documentary on Finbarr Donnelly and his bands Nun Attax, Five Go Down To The Sea and Beethoven

Produced by Paul McDermott with assistance from Kieran Hurley and Conor O’Toole.

Get That Monster Off The Stage is an audio portrait of Cork singer Finbarr Donnelly and to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Nun Attax’s first gig the documentary will be broadcast on:
Cork Campus Radio 98.3 FM – Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 2pm
&
103.2 Dublin City FM – Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 12 midnight

Available as a free podcast on www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com from Friday, February 15, 2008


Get That Monster off the Stage was originally broadcast on Cork Campus
Radio in July 2001. The documentary went on to win the “Radio Production of the Year” award at the O2 SMEDIA Awards 2002. Myles Dungan, chairman of the judging panel, commented: “This is a fascinating snapshot of the vibrant Cork music scene of the 80’s. The producer constructed a compelling account of cult rock hero Finbarr Donnelly. The programme itself is an excellent weave of music and the spoken word, and is unobtrusively informative.”

Since the documentary’s first broadcast it has been re-edited to include
contributions from Ricky Dineen (Donnelly’s friend and bandmate) and additional music.

Documentary context
Finbarr Donnelly was born in Belfast and moved to Cork city in the mid seventies with his family. By the late seventies he had formed Nun Attax, a rock and roll band, who played their first gig on Valentine’s night 1978 in a community hall in Mayfield.

Nun Attax are synonymous with the Arcadia Ballroom, the lynchpin of Cork’s post-punk music scene, where they shared the stage with U2, The Virgin Prunes, UB40 and Microdisney. Their live performances were unforgettable, incendiary events an example of which can be heard on the Kaught At The Kampus EP released by Reekus Records in 1980.

In the early eighties the band changed its name to Five Go Down To The Sea and recorded the Knot A Fish EP for Kabuki Records which contains the infamous “There’s A Fish On Top Of Shandon Swears He’s Elvis”. Soon after the band left recession-ridden Cork for London. Knot A Fish EP (1983) Margaret Thatcher's Britain provided a stark backdrop for the music of FGDTTS.

As new immigrants to London, the band scraped a living but gradually gained critical acclaim, earning a reputation for astonishing live gigs and recording for Abstract Records (The Glee Club EP) and Alan McGee’s fledgling Creation Records (Singing in Braille EP). The Glee Club EP (1984) Sing In Braille EP (1985)

In 1988, FGDTTS changed name to Beethoven and provided Setanta Records with its first release (Him Goolie Goolie Man, Dem EP). This single would go on to be named NME single of the week. A few weeks later on 18 June 1989 Donnelly died in a swimming accident in the Serpentine Pond in Hyde Park. He was 27 years of age.

Finbarr Donnelly left a far-reaching musical legacy despite his early and tragic death. His life and work also offers much insight into the role of the outsider in pop culture and of artistic expression during times of economic hardship.

Spanning Cork, Dublin and London, the documentary features contributions from many of Donnelly's friends, peers and contemporaries, including:
Ricky Dineen (Nun Attax, Five Go Down To The Sea, Beethoven), Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney, The Fatima Mansions), Sean O'Hagan (Microdisney, The High Llamas), Giordaí Ui Laoghaire (Nun Attax, Nine Wassies from Bainne), Mick Lynch (Stump) and music journalist John Robb.



Quotes from the documentary

“There has been so much music that has happened since then that is purported to be exploratory and inventive yet didn’t go anywhere near the kind of lengths that Donnelly and Five Go Down To The Sea actually achieved.”
(Sean O’Hagan from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“When a guy dies, often a hero is made but the fact is he was really larger than life in real life.” (Conal Creedon from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“There’s people doing stuff like it today and they’re being called innovative, they were ahead of their time.” (Mick Lynch from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“In early 1982 they came back as Five Go Down To The Sea, it was just incredible, it was completely different to Nun Attax, it wasn’t like a rock band any more, it was just a bizarre but coherent, completely focused attack of extreme Cork eccentricity, it was unforgettable”. (Cathal Coughlan from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“They were incredible musicians who wrote the most complex amazing songs that showed they had a fierce intelligence. Some people are so intelligent they just go crazy, that’s what they were like, they were misfits.” (John Robb from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“I can say with my hand on my heart that I would not have ended up doing music if I hadn’t met Donnelly and if I hadn’t done music I would have ended up as a mal-contented alcoholic civil servant working in a food factory somewhere in County Offaly, in the black bogs with a constant fog hanging over me.” (Cathal Coughlan from Get That Monster Off The Stage)

“Official Cork to this day probably doesn’t know of the existence of Finbarr Donnelly. Dixieland Jazz on a Sunday morning down in the yacht club with blazers, that’s Cork to them. But it’s important to recall that there’s another side to Cork as well – an underbelly. Except I would regard the Dixieland Jazz on a Sunday morning as the underbelly – the seedy underbelly.”
(Declan Lynch from Get That Monster Off The Stage)


List of contributors
Liam Heffernan (Mean Features/actor)
Conal Creedon (author/playwright)
Ricky Dineen (Nun Attax/Five Go Down To The Sea/Beethoven)
Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney/The Fatima Mansions)
Giordai Ua Laoghaire (Nun Attax/Nine Wassies From Bainne)
Sean O’Hagan (Microdisney/The High Llamas)
Mick Lynch (Mean Features/Stump)
Finny Corcoran (Belson/The Belsonic Sound)
Jim O’Mahony (The Belsonic Sound)
Morty McCarthy (The Sultans of Ping FC)
Stan Erraught (The Stars of Heaven)
Rory Cobbe (RTE Producer)
Shane Fitzsimons (Journalist)
John Robb (Journalist/Author)
Declan Lynch (Journalist/Author)

Discography: Nun Attax/Five Go Down To The Sea/Beethoven
Nunattax – Kaught At The Kampus EP
Reekus Records 12” (RKS 01) 1980
Live EP recorded at the Downtown Kampus, Arcadia, Cork August 30, 1980.
Side A features three Nun Attax songs. Urban Blitz, Microdisney and Mean Features contribute one song each to side B.

Five Go Down To The Sea – Knot A Fish EP
Kabuki Records 7” (KA 05) 1983
Produced by John O’Sullivan

Five Go Down To The Sea – The Glee Club EP
Abstract Records 12” (ABS 027) 1984
Produced by John Langford

Five Go Down To The Sea – Singing In Braille EP
Creation Records 12” (CRE 021) 1985
Produced by Joe Foster

Beethoven – Him Goolie Goolie Man, Dem EP
Setanta Records 12” (SET 01) 1989
Produced by John Langford

[Jim Comic]

apparently Reekus Records are in the process of doing an early Reekus album so the Cork music of that time can be heard again - huzzah!

[conor a]

apparently Reekus Records are in the process of doing an early Reekus album so the Cork music of that time can be heard again - huzzah!

excellent

[Loftydog]

apparently Reekus Records are in the process of doing an early Reekus album so the Cork music of that time can be heard again - huzzah!

Huzzah indeed mr comic!

[paddypaws]

music now up at http://www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com/




Nunattax - Kaught At The Kampus E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - Knot A Fish E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - The Glee Club E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - Singing In Braille E.P.

[mango]

music now up at http://www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com/




Nunattax - Kaught At The Kampus E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - Knot A Fish E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - The Glee Club E.P.
Five Go Down To The Sea - Singing In Braille E.P.


Nice one.. the podcast link no worky though. The files missing:

http://www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com/audio/Get%20That%20Monster %20Off%20The%20Stage .m4a

[paddypaws]

Nice one.. the podcast link no worky though. The files missing:

http://www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com/audio/Get%20That%20Monster %20Off%20The%20Stage .m4a


it seems ok for me ..will you have another look?

[mango]

it seems ok for me ..will you have another look?

Working grand now.

[conor a]

www.getthatmonsterof fthestage.com

you can also download the doc here

http://rapidshare.com/files/158683935/GTMOTS_final_mix.mp3

[Jim Comic]

Heard 5gdtts May be doing the spiegeltent this summer with stump's mick lynch on vox

[Loftydog]

That would be quite interesting

[Jim Comic]

That would be quite interesting

indeed

i think this year is the 20th anniversary of Donnelly's passing

[Jeremy Beadle]

June 18th.

[Loftydog]

indeed

i think this year is the 20th anniversary of Donnelly's passing

Fuck...Is it that long already?

[PigCapitalist]

Mick would be the one man could pull it off.

[conor a]

that should be a gig worth seeing
by coincidence, i'm playing both stump and fgdtts on the show tomorrow, 11-12noon cork campus radio, 98.3fm...funny how things happen like that

[Jim Comic]

i think ricky mentioned once that their last gig in london was in a spiegeltent in camden, not sure was that 5gdtts or beethoven though

[Jim Comic]

i think ricky mentioned once that their last gig in london was in a spiegeltent in camden, not sure was that 5gdtts or beethoven though




t'was 5gdtts, i'm reliably informed

[Jim Comic]

Heard 5gdtts May be doing the spiegeltent this summer with stump's mick lynch on vox

Now in the pVilion on June 18th I do believe

[Jim Comic]

http://www.pavilioncork.com/index.php/venue/venue_event_details/get_that_monster_off _the_stage/

[Jim Comic]

Can't wait for the gig this week, should be a cracker!!!

[Jeremy Beadle]

I hope so....

[delzer]

looking forward to this

[Saucyjack]

a Cypress Mine must be around the corner ?

[Jim Comic]

or a reunion tour by the dancing bastards from hell

[Saucyjack]

or a reunion tour by the dancing bastards from hell

Its about time.

Skoda selling expensive coffee is fine but not as good as being in one of Karks finest bands so re-tuuuune that bass.

Ian where is he now ? Must ask his sister next time I bump into her.

Mark is still around town.

Ciaran in Dumpland still ?

Or even Without The ?

[Loftydog]

Gutted I am missing this as I will be in France. I hope it gets a good turn out

[conor a]

can't wait, interesting to see the pav turned into the arcadia for a night!

[STEVIEG]

Tonight

[Jim Comic]

http://dublinopinion.com/2008/05/19/five-go-down-to-the-sea-french-post-translation/

[Jim Comic]

Beethoven's cover of 'daytripper' can be heard here:

http://mog.com/dachmo/blog/125378

[de phunter]

Morgan the bouncer!!

I hear Morgan, the bouncer, has lost his legs to diabetes in the last couple of years. he was the terror of the Arc in his time.

[Jim Comic]

jaysus, wouldn't wish that on anyone

[Jim Comic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaQhQzFfRCE&feature=related

[Lee Bushwacker]

they are a band I saw name checked in something I read a few days ago.

Were they from Cork or has anyone any information on them?

Great name for a band.

:cool:
I saw them live years ago.
The name was the only good thing about them. Even though they were from Cork, they were shit with a capital SH!

[conor a]

:cool:
I saw them live years ago.
The name was the only good thing about them. Even though they were from Cork, they were shit with a capital SH!

where did you see them play?

[Jim Comic]

http://dublinopinion.com/2011/06/11/interview-with-ricky-dineen-nun-attax-five-go-down-to-the-sea-beethoven-finbar-donnelly-and-the-cork-music-scene/

[markyboy]

http://dublinopinion.com/2011/06/11/interview-with-ricky-dineen-nun-attax-five-go-down-to-the-sea-beethoven-finbar-donnelly-and-the-cork-music-scene/

Great interview and photos. I'd forgotten about the Haystacks!

[Jim Comic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7PAiryF2gI