The Scheme
The Scheme from; Dundalk May 1979 – 1980
Style; New Wave
Line up;
Vocals; Ciaran Vernon
Guitar & Vocals; Brian Vernon
Bass & Vocals; Brian McMahon
Drums; Declan Rogers
Photo supplied by Brian McMahon
The Scheme rose from the ashes of Dundalk’s first punk group NRG, in May ’79, when the three founder members of NRG, Ciaron & both Brians, teamed up with Declan. Their first gigs were held at Dundalk’s “River Rooms”.
We had outgrown the punk scene and now performed 100% original material. The Banshees and Joy Division were just some of the influences. I was also into Wire and Adam & the Ants (loved the Dirk Wears White Sox album) and Chic. One of our songs was called “Disconnected” which had a disco beat and bass and, despite never been recorded, made it into the top 50 of Dublin songs in Dublin fanzine, Imprint. (click here for scanned page of top 50… check out no. 49!)
The Scheme played more gigs in Dublin (McGonagles, Baggot Inn, UCD) than in Dundalk, supporting the likes of the Blades, DC Nien, the Attrix, the Addix (featuringKirsty McColl) and U2. Philip ‘Turkey’ Mullen, later of Some Kind of Wonderful, helped with managerial duties and scored some of these gigs for us.
We played 3 gigs in Dublin’s Dandelion Market in 1979, one of which had us opening for U2 on 15th September 1979. U2 were riding high, and set to release their first single, the place was packed that Saturday afternoon. The 2 things I remember most about U2 from this occasion, was
- The record sleeve for their forthcoming single the Three Ep, was just back from the printers and delivered to them during their sound check. They were genuinely excited about this.
- When they finished sound checking, Bono, shouted, “Scheme, your turn”. Which was a cue for us to do get up and do our check. At least he acknowledged us. And we got a sound check. More than can be said for a lot of the other groups we supported.
The gig was great. Big crowd, who were up for it. They were mad into U2, though. You could see they were going to make it.
Gig Guide
Photo supplied by Brian McHahon
15/09/1979 Dandelion Market with U2
26/10/1979 McGonagles, Dublin with The Blades
27/10/1979 Gladstone Arms, Commel with Static Routines
28/10/1979 Sir Henry’s, Cork with Static Routines
04/11/1979 Dandelion Market with Static Routines
01/12/1979 Teach Furbo, Galway with D.C. Nien, Nightrider, The Atrix, The Blades, Zebra, Moondogs, Day Glows, Tears & Rust.
30/12/1979 Dandelion Market, Dublin
Many thanks to Brian McMahon for his help with this page.
If you can help with any information, demo tapes or memorabilia on this band please get in touch, using the above form.