Dan Cunneen
Encyclopedia
Dan Cunneen is a drummer
, lyricist, songwriter, disc jockey and graphic designer originally from Portland, Oregon
, U.S.A.. Cunneen is best known for his drum work with the 1980s Portland, Oregon band Final Warning
and the 1990s Seattle, Washington based bands Zipgun
and Nightcaps
. Cunneen resides in Seattle, Washington.
. Final Warning would only record five songs in the studio, but their influence was felt beyond the Pacific Northwest
as one of the first hardcore punk
bands to incorporate Heavy metal
into their music. Final Warning were heavily influenced by the second wave of U.K. punk bands such as Discharge
and Charged GBH
. The group was also known for their anti-war
and anti-violence politics.
broke up in 1986, Cunneen played drums and recorded with Portland singer/songwriter Lew Jones.
In 1987, Cunneen joined the Portland, Oregon based punk
and blues
band The Obituaries
(playing drums on the Obituaries EP).
in 1991, Cunneen played drums with punk rock
band Zipgun
. Zipgun released several singles, two full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the United States. Zipgun also appeared in the Doug Pray
film Hype!
, a documentary chronicling the 1990s Seattle Grunge
music scene.
at private parties and corporate events in the Pacific Northwest, playing a mixture of obscure and well-known mid-twentieth century popular music (encompassing jazz. pop, blues and soul) combined with contemporary electronica, hip-hop and Top 40.
. Nightcaps were an early "Cocktail Nation" (or Lounge music
) band that was part of the revival of the genre. Nightcaps had an impact on the genre as one of the few resurgent lounge bands that avoided kitsch
, and added elements of punk rock and garage rock to their sound.
In addition to playing drums, Cunneen co-produced all the Nightcaps recordings and wrote most of the band's material. Nightcaps released several singles, two full-length albums (including a "Best of" compilation released in Japan) and toured extensively throughout Western United States. Nightcaps played their last show in 2002.
. Throughout the 2000s, the PCBs performed in (and won) several Lawyerpalooza concerts (a Battle of the Bands
charity event held annually in Seattle).
In May 2008, the PCBs were selected as regional semi-finalists in the Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands
in Los Angeles, California.
In 1997, Cunneen won the Print Magazine Regional Design Annual "Certificate of Design Excellence" award for Art Direction for Rendezvous Recordings’ Gamblers Game/For Me 45 cover.
with Lew Jones
with Obituaries
with Zipgun
with Nightcaps
Dan Cunneen
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
, lyricist, songwriter, disc jockey and graphic designer originally from Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, U.S.A.. Cunneen is best known for his drum work with the 1980s Portland, Oregon band Final Warning
Final Warning
Final Warning was an obscure yet influential Portland, Oregon-based hardcore punk band active from 1982 to 1986.-History:The band first formed in 1982 as Broken Trust by childhood friends, guitarist Jeff "Simon" Simoncini, drummer Dan Cunneen and vocalist Tim Paul...
and the 1990s Seattle, Washington based bands Zipgun
Zipgun
Zipgun was a punk rock band from Seattle Washington active from 1991 to 1994.The original founding members were: guitarist Neil Rogers , singer Robb Clarke , bassist Mark Wooten and drummer Dan Cunneen .- History :Zipgun was formed and led by Neil Rogers, who had...
and Nightcaps
Nightcaps (band)
Nightcaps were an American Lounge music band from Seattle, Washington active from 1994 until 2002.Nightcaps were an integral part if the mid 1990s Lounge music resurgence that included bands such as Combustible Edison,...
. Cunneen resides in Seattle, Washington.
Final Warning
In 1982, Cunneen co-founded (with guitarist Jeff "Simon" Simoncini and bassist Tim Paul) the Portland, Oregon band Final WarningFinal Warning
Final Warning was an obscure yet influential Portland, Oregon-based hardcore punk band active from 1982 to 1986.-History:The band first formed in 1982 as Broken Trust by childhood friends, guitarist Jeff "Simon" Simoncini, drummer Dan Cunneen and vocalist Tim Paul...
. Final Warning would only record five songs in the studio, but their influence was felt beyond the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
as one of the first hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands to incorporate Heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
into their music. Final Warning were heavily influenced by the second wave of U.K. punk bands such as Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
and Charged GBH
Charged GBH
Charged GBH are an English Street punk band, formed in 1978 by vocalist Colin Abrahall, guitarist Colin "Jock" Blyth, bassist Sean McCarthy and Drummer Andy " Wilf" Williams. GBH were early pioneers of English street punk, often nicknamed "UK82", along with Discharge, Broken Bones, The Exploited...
. The group was also known for their anti-war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
and anti-violence politics.
Post-Final Warning
After Final WarningFinal Warning
Final Warning was an obscure yet influential Portland, Oregon-based hardcore punk band active from 1982 to 1986.-History:The band first formed in 1982 as Broken Trust by childhood friends, guitarist Jeff "Simon" Simoncini, drummer Dan Cunneen and vocalist Tim Paul...
broke up in 1986, Cunneen played drums and recorded with Portland singer/songwriter Lew Jones.
In 1987, Cunneen joined the Portland, Oregon based punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
band The Obituaries
The Obituaries
The Obituaries were one of the most popular and groundbreakingbands in the Northwest USA from 1986-1990. Fronted by singer/wordsmith Monica Nelson who was known for her powerful stage presence and stunning vocals. She was an influence to many other later female rockers with roots in the area, and...
(playing drums on the Obituaries EP).
Zipgun
After relocating to Seattle, WashingtonSeattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
in 1991, Cunneen played drums with punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Zipgun
Zipgun
Zipgun was a punk rock band from Seattle Washington active from 1991 to 1994.The original founding members were: guitarist Neil Rogers , singer Robb Clarke , bassist Mark Wooten and drummer Dan Cunneen .- History :Zipgun was formed and led by Neil Rogers, who had...
. Zipgun released several singles, two full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the United States. Zipgun also appeared in the Doug Pray
Doug Pray
Doug Pray is an American documentary film director, cinematographer, and editor who often explores unique subcultures in his films. His work includes Surfwise a portrait of the nomadic, 11-member Doc Paskowitz family ; Big Rig , a documentary about truck drivers; Infamy , a documentary about...
film Hype!
Hype!
Hype! is a documentary directed by Doug Pray about the popularity of grunge rock in the early to mid-1990s United States. It incorporates interviews and rare concert footage to trace the steps of grunge, from its subversive inception in neighborhood basements, to its explosion as a pop culture...
, a documentary chronicling the 1990s Seattle Grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
music scene.
DJ Diamondan
In 1994, using the moniker "DJ Diamondan", Cunneen began what would become a two year DJ residency at Linda's Tavern in Seattle. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Cunneen performed at Seattle venues such as Re-bar, The Baltic Room, The Moore Theater and The Capitol Club. Cunneen continues to disc jockeyDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
at private parties and corporate events in the Pacific Northwest, playing a mixture of obscure and well-known mid-twentieth century popular music (encompassing jazz. pop, blues and soul) combined with contemporary electronica, hip-hop and Top 40.
Nightcaps
In 1994, Cunneen formed and led the Seattle based NightcapsNightcaps (band)
Nightcaps were an American Lounge music band from Seattle, Washington active from 1994 until 2002.Nightcaps were an integral part if the mid 1990s Lounge music resurgence that included bands such as Combustible Edison,...
. Nightcaps were an early "Cocktail Nation" (or Lounge music
Lounge music
Lounge music is a retrospective description of music popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is a type of mood music meant to evoke in the listeners the feeling of being in a place — a jungle, an island paradise, outer space, et cetera — other than where they are listening to it...
) band that was part of the revival of the genre. Nightcaps had an impact on the genre as one of the few resurgent lounge bands that avoided kitsch
Kitsch
Kitsch is a form of art that is considered an inferior, tasteless copy of an extant style of art or a worthless imitation of art of recognized value. The concept is associated with the deliberate use of elements that may be thought of as cultural icons while making cheap mass-produced objects that...
, and added elements of punk rock and garage rock to their sound.
In addition to playing drums, Cunneen co-produced all the Nightcaps recordings and wrote most of the band's material. Nightcaps released several singles, two full-length albums (including a "Best of" compilation released in Japan) and toured extensively throughout Western United States. Nightcaps played their last show in 2002.
PCBs
In August, 2000 Cunneen began playing drums for the PCBs, the in house band for the Seattle, Washington based law firm Perkins CoiePerkins Coie
Perkins Coie is an international law firm based in Seattle, Washington. It has been listed on the Fortune Magazine "100 Best Places to Work in America" for the past nine years. It is noted for its intellectual property, Labor and Employment, and Products Liability practice groups, and for its...
. Throughout the 2000s, the PCBs performed in (and won) several Lawyerpalooza concerts (a Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
charity event held annually in Seattle).
In May 2008, the PCBs were selected as regional semi-finalists in the Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands
Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands
The FORTUNE Battle of the Corporate Bands is an annual music competition for amateur company-sponsored bands in the United States, Europe and Australia. Created in 2001, the contest's proceeds benefit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH, which also serves as the location for the final...
in Los Angeles, California.
Graphic Design
Cunneen began art direction on the first Final Warning release in 1984. Throughout his musical career, Cunneen was art director and designer for many of the commercial releases and promotional material for the bands he played in. Cunneen continues do freelance design work.In 1997, Cunneen won the Print Magazine Regional Design Annual "Certificate of Design Excellence" award for Art Direction for Rendezvous Recordings’ Gamblers Game/For Me 45 cover.
Discography
with Final Warning- 1983 Rain of Death cassette demo (self released)
- 1984 Final Warning (EP) Fatal Erection Records
- 1985 Drinking is Great (EP) (track on compilation: “I Quit”) Fatal Erection Records
- 2007 PDX (CD) Southern Lord Records
- 2008 Final Warning EP (reissue) Black Water Records
with Lew Jones
- 1994 Lew Jones Anthology 1978-1994: Take Me to the Future (CD) (played drums on several tracks) New Weave Records
with Obituaries
- 1988 Obituaries (EP) Highgate Records
- 2007 The Obituaries (anthology CD) (played drums on several tracks) Highgate Records
with Zipgun
- 1991 Together Dumb/Cool in the Cell (single) Empty Records
- 1991 Ten (one sided promo single) Empty Records
- 1992 8 Track Player (CD/LP) Empty Records
- 1992 The End/Nothing Cures (single) Musical Tragedies
- 1993 Put Me Away (split single w/ Derelicts) Rekkids
- 1993 Baltimore (CD/LP) Empty Records
- 1994 I Can't Wait/Tight Black Pants (single) Thrill Jockey Records
with Nightcaps
- 1994 Gambler's Game/For Me (single) Rendezvous Recordings
- 1995 I Don't Like You/Love You More (single) Sup Pop
- 1996 Split (CD) Rendezvous Recordings/Sub Pop
- 1998 You Lied/Last of the Secret Agents (single) Estrus Records
- 2000 Get On (CD) Rendezvous Recordings
- 2002 Spin Out 3 (compilation CD track: “Love You More”) V2 Records (Japan)
- 2003 I Don't Like You (CD) User Records (Japan)
- 2011 In the Live Room (+ the singles) (CD) Rendezvous Recordings
Dan Cunneen
- 2011 The Answer b/w Shoot & Share (single) Rendezvous Recordings
External links
- Dan Cunneen Graphic Design Portfolio
- 2008 Portland Mercury interview with Dan Cunneen
- Feature on the Final Warning reunion in Willamette Week
- Seattle Times feature on the PCBs
- Lawyerpalooza Website
- Final Warning website
- http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/mrrissue27-4FinalWarningInterview.pdf 1984 Final Warning Maximum Rock 'n Roll interview with PusheadPusheadPushead is an artist, record label owner, and writer within the hardcore punk and heavy metal field. He has created artwork for many bands, artists, and athletes including Metallica, the The Misfits, Dr. Dre, Travis Barker, and Craig Johnson. He has designed many record covers, T-shirts,...
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