Latest news with #CryBeforeDawn
RTÉ News
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
New vinyl factory opens in Clane, Co Kildare
A new vinyl factory has opened in Clane, Co Kildare, as the popularity of records continues to rise, particularly among younger listeners who are swapping their phones for the turntable. "It is taking up most of the space in record stores all over the world," said Chris Keena of the continuing rise in vinyl sales. Mr Keena is the Commercial Manager of Anthem Vinyl, Ireland's new and only vinyl factory. "It's the format that has survived everything. People will always go back to vinyl," he said. The factory will be pressing vinyl for a wide range of Irish musicians from 80s stalwarts Cry Before Dawn, who are making their first vinyl EP since 1989, to new Indie band Delush from Dublin, making their first ever vinyl. Factory founder Brian Kenny said they can now offer musicians the chance to curate and produce their work at scale. "Each machine will produce a record every 30 seconds, so in a standard week, we can produce 8,000 records pretty reliably." The band Delush visited the plant to see their EP 'Famous' coming off the pressing line in bright pink. "It's important to us and the consumer for the same reason. It's the connection, it's to physically hold the music, seeing it, the artwork and style that is unique to the band," said band co-founder Scott Leigh. "It's a piece of memorabilia that you can hold on to," said Mr Leigh, who has a turntable in his bedroom that helps him unwind in the evening without the distraction of the phone. "If you are on the phone listening to music, you're easily on Instagram or something else." Back in Dublin city, all generations are browsing row after row of vinyl at Spindizzy Records in the Market Arcade on George's Street. It started as a stall in 1996 and has now recently expanded to a shop with an impressive array of vinyl. "There has been a constant and enduring interest in vinyl," said shop manager Enda Gogarty. Vinyl collector Paul McDermott often visits on a Friday to pick up his pre-orders and browse the second-hand arrivals. "I think people like the physical copy ... I even see it with my own kids; they are suddenly taking an interest in dad's record collection, which hitherto they never would never had before!".
Irish Examiner
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Cry Before Dawn: New awakening as veteran Wexford band hit the road again
The biggest song in Ireland in the summer of 1987 was a Springsteen-esque anthem belted out by a former champion tin whistle player, which had one of its first public airings in a Wexford town furniture store. The tune was Gone Forever by Cry Before Dawn, who, for a few surreal months 38 years ago, looked like they might be as big as U2. 'U2 attracted a lot of interest. And then those record companies focused on Ireland. We had all the biggest record companies in the world coming down to see us in a furniture store. That's where we used to rehearse. Dominic Kiernan's furniture store' recalls singer Brendan Wade, who today lives in Switzerland. 'I don't know what they thought when they came down to see us. CBS UK eventually offered us a very big deal.' Despite CBS's high hopes, Cry Before Dawn never broke through internationally. But they were already accustomed to being outsiders – coming from Wexford, they had always felt removed from the Irish music scene, which was centred on Dublin at that time. 'It would have seemed like we came from nowhere. We weren't very big in Dublin and places like that,' says Wade. 'But we had played our dues. To get an international deal like from a place like Wexford. As much as we love it, it's a small town in the south east Ireland.' Cry Before Dawn petered out after two albums, and the musicians went their separate ways. Wade lives in the Zurich suburb of Winterthur with his Swiss wife and is deeply involved in the vibrant local trad scene (he has come full circle, having started out playing tin whistle and uilleann pipes). However, the band remain beloved and they were surprised by the warm reception they received when they reunited in 2011. They've continued to tour on and off ever since – and are now releasing their first new music since the 1980s with the heartfelt EP, Open Water, released on August 1. They've already shared the upbeat title track, the lyrics to which came to Wade when he was watching television one night. 'There was a documentary about a young girl who was having a lot of problems in her life. She was interviewed by a BBC correspondent. At one point he said, 'it looks to me like your life has turned around a bit. What has changed?' She'd had a baby. Her answer is, 'now I have something to lose'. That line is in the song – it's the inspiration. It's about someone who has turned their life around and is looking into open water – all obstacles and heartbreak left behind.' Back in the 1980s, Cry Before Dawn were regarded as something of a novelty – at least in Dublin. People from Wexford with guitars – whatever next? In fact, the South East had a vibrant music scene, Wade recalls. He namechecks Waterford synth three-piece Neuro, who supported Echo and the Bunnyman and Simple Minds, and ran an artists' collective in their home city. Wexford, meanwhile, had both Cry Before Dawn and Zerra One, an art-punk band who would play across Europe with The Cure during their famously dysfunctional Pornography shows in 1982. With The Cure falling apart, at one point it was suggested that Zerra One masquerade as singer Robert Smith's bandmates so to see out the tour (a suggestion Smith sensibly rejected). Zerra One's guitarist, Aindrias Ó Gruama, would later play with critically lauded post-punks Fatima Mansions with Cork songwriter Cathal Coughlan. Singer Paul Bell, meanwhile, was a friend of Wade: in 1996, they paid tribute to Wexford's newly crowned All-Ireland winning team when, recording as The Wild Swans, they released the song Dancing at the Crossroads. 'The thing in Wexford was, there was no internet. There was nothing to do. A lot of young fellas joined bands. There were about 13 bands in Wexford. I'm sure it was the same in other parts of Ireland. There were some really talented musicians. Paul was best mates with Robert Smith, after that tour. Zerra One were on the brink of making something big too – but it just didn't happen. Just one of those things.' He is looking forward to going back out on the road with the rest of the band for a new tour and record store events to support the EP. 'We hadn't played together from about 20 years. We got back together in 2011. From there on in, we've hit it in stops and starts. In the last three years we've given it a serious lash. The amount of love for the band surprised us. We can't explain it. We said we can't keep coming back playing the same old stuff. We wanted to bring out something new – only if it's as good as the old material. That's what motivated it. I know we're all auld lads now. But when you put your foot on the stage you're back where you were years ago – it's an amazing feeling.' The Open Water EP is out now. Cry Before Dawn's upcoming live events include Crane Lane, Cork, Tues, Aug 5; Whelan's Dublin, Aug 6; Electric Avenue, Waterford, Aug 8
Belfast Telegraph
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Dawn of new era for Irish rock band set to return to Belfast venue after nearly 40 years
Irish rockers Cry Before Dawn finally make their long-awaited return to the Limelight this Friday for their first Belfast gig in almost four decades. Soundscapes and cityscapes have both shifted seismically since 1987, but the love fans have for Cry Before Dawn's blend of Celtic-tinged rock remains.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Cry Before Dawn return with first major release in 36 years
Exclusive | Irish band's six-track EP includes limited edition 'Wexford' vinyl version The 'Best Irish Group' of 1989 are turning back the clock with their first major release of new material in almost four decades. In a nod to their Wexford roots, Cry Before Dawn's milestone release will include a collectors' limited edition purple and gold 12-inch vinyl record, available to pre-order from Friday. The band's first new recordings in over a decade were produced by Grammy nominated Chris O'Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite in Dublin. New single Open Water – out on June 4 – is hallmark CBD, guitar-driven pop-rock with a distinctly Irish flavour, soaring chorus and the unmistakable crystal clear vocals of charismatic frontman Brendan Wade. An extended six-track Open Water EP or mini-album released Friday, August 1, but on pre-order from this week, will include brand new tracks Peace and Freedom, When It All Breaks Down, Learning How To Fly and Open Water as well as a reworking of 2011 comeback single Is This What You're Waiting For and a special live recording of fan favourite Victorians. The mini-album will be available on CD and on vinyl as well as download. Fans who order the record in the pre-sale will nab a special bonus: a wrist band giving them entry to the live launch in Wexford on August Bank Holiday Monday. Bass player Vinnie Doyle says that while the songs are new, the material 'is a clear link between the old and new Cry Before Dawn'. He's particularly looking forward to the launch in the band's hometown which will take place on the first weekend of Fleadh Cheoil 2025 in Wexford, when the town will be buzzing. 'The people of Wexford have always been our secret weapon. If they get behind this record, we think it could go all the way the top.' Of course, Cry Before Dawn are no strangers to those heights. Their first album, 1987's Crimes of Conscience, reached number two in the Irish charts and spawned a number of hit singles. Together with second album, 1989's Witness For The World, it catapulted the band to multiple award wins, tours of Ireland, the UK and the US and appearances on the highest profile TV shows across the Irish Sea. After an extended break, Cry Before Dawn reunited in 2011, releasing both a 'Best Of' album and a live set recorded at Wexford Opera House. Since then they've become fixtures on the live circuit with sellout shows around the country and appearances at summer festivals. In the run-up to the release of the extended EP, the 1980s heroes will be airing the new material at a number of live gigs, including Limelight 2 in Belfast this Friday, June 6; The Academy, Dublin, on June 7; Forest Fest in Emo Park, Laois, on July 25; Monroe's Live, Galway, August 1; Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, August 2; and Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda, August 3, before bringing it home to Wexford for the record launch. For full info on the pre order of the Open Water EP on vinyl and CD, plus details of the live launch wristbands offer, visit Cry Before Dawn's Facebook and Instagram channels from this Thursday.
Irish Independent
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Eighties music giants Cry Before Dawn in first major release of new songs in 36 years
In a nod to their Wexford roots, Cry Before Dawn's milestone release will include a collectors' limited edition purple and gold 12-inch vinyl record, available to pre-order from Friday. The band's first new recordings in over a decade were produced by Grammy nominated Chris O'Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite in Dublin. New single Open Water – out on June 4 – is hallmark CBD, guitar-driven pop-rock with a distinctly Irish flavour, soaring chorus and the unmistakable crystal clear vocals of charismatic frontman Brendan Wade. An extended six-track Open Water EP or mini-album released Friday, August 1, but on pre-order from this week, will include brand new tracks Peace and Freedom, When It All Breaks Down, Learning How To Fly and Open Water as well as a reworking of 2011 comeback single Is This What You're Waiting For and a special live recording of fan favourite Victorians. The mini-album will be available on CD and on vinyl as well as download. Fans who order the record in the pre-sale will nab a special bonus: a wrist band giving them entry to the live launch in Wexford on August Bank Holiday Monday. Bass player Vinnie Doyle says that while the songs are new, the material 'is a clear link between the old and new Cry Before Dawn'. He's particularly looking forward to the launch in the band's hometown which will take place on the first weekend of Fleadh Cheoil 2025 in Wexford, when the town will be buzzing. 'The people of Wexford have always been our secret weapon. If they get behind this record, we think it could go all the way the top.' Of course, Cry Before Dawn are no strangers to those heights. Their first album, 1987's Crimes of Conscience, reached number two in the Irish charts and spawned a number of hit singles. Together with second album, 1989's Witness For The World, it catapulted the band to multiple award wins, tours of Ireland, the UK and the US and appearances on the highest profile TV shows across the Irish Sea. After an extended break, Cry Before Dawn reunited in 2011, releasing both a 'Best Of' album and a live set recorded at Wexford Opera House. Since then they've become fixtures on the live circuit with sellout shows around the country and appearances at summer festivals. In the run-up to the release of the extended EP, the 1980s heroes will be airing the new material at a number of live gigs, including Limelight 2 in Belfast this Friday, June 6; The Academy, Dublin, on June 7; Forest Fest in Emo Park, Laois, on July 25; Monroe's Live, Galway, August 1; Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick, August 2; and Crescent Concert Hall, Drogheda, August 3, before bringing it home to Wexford for the record launch. For full info on the pre order of the Open Water EP on vinyl and CD, plus details of the live launch wristbands offer, visit Cry Before Dawn's Facebook and Instagram channels from this Thursday.
