Ash /The Corrs/U2/The Cranberries /Whipping Boy
Ash are an Indie band from Downpatrick in Co. Down. The band consists of three members ,Tim Wheeler (20) - guitar and vocals;
Rick Mc Murray (22) - drums;
Mark Hamilton (20) - bass guitar.
They now have a new lady member, Charlotte, to add to their already brilliant band.
In July of 1992 they began recording in a small studio in Strangford, ten miles from their hometown. They continued recording songs in this studio for about two years making many cassettes and sending them to record companies. Almost all the songs on "Trailer" their debut album are from these two years in Strangford. Eventually in 1994 their first single "Jack Names The Planets" was released and they finally got a manager.
"Girl From Mars" was their first British hit single it reached no. 11 in August 1995. Also in 1995 they earned a nomination as best new band in the NME BRAT awards. Ash have since then released their LP "1977" which stormed to no. 1 in the UK charts. Many of the singles from this album also entered high in to the charts such as "Oh Yeah" which climbed to no. 6. Also "Kung Fu" which remained in the top 10 for six weeks in the independent charts.
Ash have toured the U.S.A, Europe, Australia, Japan. The Ash rise to fame is unstoppable.
1977 - Ash's second album:
| 1) Lose Control. | 7) Oh Yeah |
| 2) Gold Finger. | 8) Let it Flow. |
| 3) Girl from Mars | 9) Innocent Smile. |
| 4) I'd give you anything. | 10) Angel Interceptor. |
| 5) Gone to the Dream | 11) Lost in You. |
| 6) Kung Fu. | 12) Dark side, Light side |
By Sarah Leonard
The Corrs are an up and coming Irish band. The band consists of 3 sisters and a brother, Andrea - lead singer along with Caroline - drummer, Sharon - fiddle and Jim - lead guitarist. They originated from Dundalk Co.Louth. Their debut album "Forgiven not Forgotten" sold over 2 million copies. This compelling album went platinum 9 times. This album included many successful singles such as "Love to Love You", "Forgiven not Forgotten" and their debut single "Runaway" which was performed by the band on popular American TV series "Beverly Hills 90210." Andrea also starred in a minor singing role in the widely acclaimed film "Evita." Their second album "Talk on Corners" stormed to number one in the Irish charts. After being released one day in Spain it went gold. Hit singles from their second album include "Only When I Sleep" and "Never Loved You Anyway." This young Irish band have already managed to leave their mark on the pop music world.
By Gillian Griffin
The Irish rock group
U2 is known for its live presence. Vocalist Bono Vox (Paul Hewson),
guitarist The Edge (David Evans), Bass guitarist Adam Clayton,
and drummer Larry Mullen formed U2 in 1977 and began playing live
dates in Dublin rock clubs. In 1980 they recorded their debut
album ,Boy, which won accolades for The Edge's distinctive ringing
guitar sound. October (1981) and War (1983) brought the band fame
in Ireland and England, their epic 1984 album The Unforgettable
Fire made them stars in the U.S.The Joshua Tree (1987) featured
their first American number-one hit With or Without You and brought
them several Grammy Awards.Through the following years they produced
many albums Rattle and Hum(1988),Achtung Baby (1991) and Zooropa
(1993). U2 sought to reestablish their credibility with a harsher
sound.They kept a low profile in 1995 and 1996 but in 1997 they
released another album called Pop with some well known songs such
as Please and Staring at the Sun. A very successful world-wide
tour led to their furthered fame and fortune.
By Melanie Mc Govern.
The Cranberries are
one of Ireland's most talented bands. The Rolling Stone magazine
called them Dolores O' Riordan and The Cranberries on it's cover
encapsulating the role of Dolores as lead singer and virtually
sole song-writer of the band.There are three more members to the
Cranberries: Noel Hogan is the lead guitarist and is one of the
quieter group members. His younger brother Mike Hogan is the bands
bassist.The groups drummer is Fergal Lawler. Dolores met up with
the guys Noel, Mike and Fergal in Limerick city where the Cranberries
started on their road to fame.Their debut album "Everybody
else is doing it so why can't we?" won them much fame and
appreciation in Europe and the U.S. Their second album "No
Need to Argue", which sold 10 million copies displayed the
bands heavy rock brutality. It stormed to number one in the Irish
charts.The band has released hit singles such as the grunge infused
1994 single "Zombie" and the incredibly brisk single
"Salvation" which is from their third album "To
The Faithful Departed"released 1996. O' Riordans' inspirational
voice backed by the bands urban hymn serves to lead them to further
fame.
By Emily Casey
Whipping boy are a musical foursome from Dublin Ireland consisting of Fergal Mc Kee (vocals), Paul Page (guitar), Myles Mc Donnell (bass), and Colm Hassett (Drums). When first formed they called themselves Lolita and The Whipping Boy, but when Ex-Guitarist Lolita discovered God they booted her out. They dropped the first name and just kept Whipping Boy.
They released two singles and an album on a small Irish Indie label subsequently signing to Columbia. The sound is melodious yet harsh and disguises well the brash content of Mc Kee's lyrics. It has in the past been described as "honey laced with arsenic."
Paul Page is quoted as saying in relation to the content of their songs. "Whats the point in dealing with things that are flimsy and dishonest? We'd rather deal with some thing that' real and in front of you. At least that provokes a reaction, which means you're not being ignored"
Sprung from Dublin in its U2 time and Heritage Whipping Boy and front man in the form of the intense McKee they pose a very real threat to the trowns of the like of U2 and the Cranberries.
Written by Deirdre Duffy.
