Veteran Wexford band Cry Before Dawn have released Open Water, their first new single in 12 years, and play The Limelight, Belfast on Friday 6 June, and The Academy, Dublin on Saturday 7 June. We asked front man Brendan Wade the BIG questions . . .
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The new track comes from the band's six-track EP of the same name, which was produced by Grammy nominated Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite Dublin and is set for release on 1 August.
Cry Before Dawn formed in Wexford in 1982, combining guitar-driven rock with the rich heritage of traditional Irish pipes and whistles.
In 1987, they released their album Crimes of Conscience on the CBS label, with the singles, Gone Forever, The Seed That's Been Sown, and Girl in the Ghetto enjoying success.
After a break, Cry Before Dawn reunited in 2011, and released a best of CD, new single, Is This What You Waited For, and a live album, Live at the Opera House.
Last year, they launched an extensive nationwide tour, including two consecutive nights at the Wexford Spiegeltent and three nights at Whelan’s in Dublin.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
Born in Beautiful Wexford Town but then moved to Bray Co Wicklow. I now live in Switzerland.
I have played the Uilleann pipes since I was 17 and continue to play to this day.
I co-wrote Wexford Hurling anthem, Dancing at the Crossroads, with Paul Bell, in 1996.
How would you describe your music?
A mixture of all the influences the band brought to the table. Traditional Irish music, classic rock, new wave, punk, indie rock. Heartfelt lyrics about real events and feelings and subjects that were current at the time and today.
Who are your musical inspirations?
The bands’ influences are The Bothy Band, Planxty, Seán Ó Riada, The Clash, Pink Floyd, Japan, The Police, Sex Pistols, Pixies, Gang of Four.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The Anti-Nuclear festival Carnsore Point, 1978. Stagalee, Christy Moore, The Bothy Band any many more.
What was the first record you ever bought?
The Well Below The Valley by Planxty. Still blows me away to this day.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Hero by Family of the Year.
Favourite lyric of all time?
From All Messed Up by Pierce Turner: "And I apologise to all, Whom I’ve done harm or done wrong, But I was half asleep and half brave, Now I’m afraid I must have got lost".
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Given Note by Seamus Heaney and Liam O`Flynn.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Linktree, Facebook, Spotify, YouTube.
Alan Corr
