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Bio:
Punk/new wave band who came in for a bit of stick as most of them were well over 21!
Early lineups included John Borrowman and Chris Green who left mid-1978 to form The Atrix.
Ex School Kids drummer Charlie Hallinan joined around the same time, while
original drummer Pat Moylett (brother of the Rats Johnny 'Fingers' Moylett) became
the bands manager.
Berlin supported both The Clash and The Jam at the Top Hat in Dub Laoghaire, two legendary gigs
in Dublin which thousands now claim to have attended.
During November-December 1978, Berlin and the New Versions set out
on the "Streets Ahead Tour '78" across Ireland, the first new wave tour of the country.
They played the Dandelion Market on three Saturdays: 5 May 1979, 25 August 1979 and
2 February 1980.
Berlin signed to Charisma in 1979 and released one great pop punk single in January 1980,
though the Portugese issue appears to have predated the Irish & UK release by
a few weeks. Both sides were
written by bassist Maurice Czerniak. They performed
the A-side (and, as far as I recall, another track) on Our Times on RTE Television.
I vaguely recall Brian Devon holding up a sign saying "Hello Mum". Does anyone have video
of this? Another strong track "Stop Stop" appeared on the "Just For Kicks" various artists LP released
at the end of 1979.
Berlin appeared during the Sense of Ireland/Sounds of Ireland gigs in London in March 1980,
playing Acklam Hall with U2 and the Virgin Prunes in support on the 19th (with at least one
warm up gig in Nottingham a few days previous).
When this failed to break the band, they split up, in April 1980.
Berlin reformed later in the year and released a second single in November 1980.
"Boyfriend" appeared on Philips Records. It is a much weaker effort than their debut and
sold poorly, which may explain why it is so hard to find now. It seems to have had very little
distribution, unsurprising as the band split again soon after it's release.
There are undoubtedly unreleased recordings (e.g. "Tube Talk")
Not to be confused with the Australian pop band on IRS Records.
We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.