Cactus World News
Encyclopedia
Cactus World News were an Irish
rock
band
formed in Dublin in 1984. Founded by Frank Kearns and Eoin McEvoy the original members were: Kearns, McEvoy, Wayne Sheehy, and Fergal MacAindris. The new line up consists of Kearns, Wayne Sheehy, Fergal MacAindris, Eoin Scott and Eoin Watkins. Their early influences were The Clash
, The Ramones
, Talking Heads
, U2
, The Waterboys
, and R.E.M.
, and best known song
, was "The Bridge", which was produced
by U2's Bono
, and released on their Mother Records label
. They performed at the Self Aid
concert in Dublin on 17 May 1986. The band released their debut album
, Urban Beaches in 1986 and gained minor hits
with its three singles
: "Years Later", "Worlds Apart" and a re-recording of "The Bridge". All three singles reached the UK Singles Chart
. After their second album, No Shelter, was shelved in 1989, the band were released from their recording contract
and underwent several personnel changes. MacAindris and Sheehy both quit in 1989. McEvoy and Kearns continued for a few more years, with various other band members coming and going, including Chris McGoldrick (bass), John Doyle (bass) and JJ Collier (drums).
After leaving Cactus World News, Sheehy went on to record and tour with Ronnie Wood, Bo Diddly, Robert Palmer, Michelle Shocked, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Carl Carlton, Hinterland, Dave-Id Busarus and Hothouse Flowers
(appearing on both Born and Live). Sheehy currently plays with the Canadian
songwriter
Jeff Martin
. Kearns (using the name Francis Xavier) released a solo album, Walking The Waves (2005), which featured both Sheehy and McEvoy.
It was announced in June 2011 that Cactus World News are to reform after 20 years (with the exception of Eoin McEvoy who has other commitments) in order to support Simple Minds in Kerry, Ireland on 30 July 2011. Long term plans have yet to be announced.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
formed in Dublin in 1984. Founded by Frank Kearns and Eoin McEvoy the original members were: Kearns, McEvoy, Wayne Sheehy, and Fergal MacAindris. The new line up consists of Kearns, Wayne Sheehy, Fergal MacAindris, Eoin Scott and Eoin Watkins. Their early influences were The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
, The Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, The Waterboys
The Waterboys
The Waterboys are a band formed in 1983 by Mike Scott. The band's membership, past and present, has been composed mainly of musicians from Scotland, Ireland and England. Edinburgh, London, Dublin, Spiddal, New York, and Findhorn have all served as homes for the group. The band has played in a...
, and R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
Career
Their first recordingSound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, and best known song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
, was "The Bridge", which was produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by U2's Bono
Bono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
, and released on their Mother Records label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. They performed at the Self Aid
Self Aid
Self Aid was a benefit concert held in Dublin, Ireland on 17 May 1986. The concert performances were primarily by Irish musicians, although Elvis Costello and Chris Rea were designated "honorary Irishmen" for the day; the event was promoted by Jim Aiken...
concert in Dublin on 17 May 1986. The band released their debut album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Urban Beaches in 1986 and gained minor hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
with its three singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
: "Years Later", "Worlds Apart" and a re-recording of "The Bridge". All three singles reached the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. After their second album, No Shelter, was shelved in 1989, the band were released from their recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
and underwent several personnel changes. MacAindris and Sheehy both quit in 1989. McEvoy and Kearns continued for a few more years, with various other band members coming and going, including Chris McGoldrick (bass), John Doyle (bass) and JJ Collier (drums).
After leaving Cactus World News, Sheehy went on to record and tour with Ronnie Wood, Bo Diddly, Robert Palmer, Michelle Shocked, Eric Burdon and The Animals, Carl Carlton, Hinterland, Dave-Id Busarus and Hothouse Flowers
Hothouse Flowers
The Hothouse Flowers are an Irish rock group that combines traditional Irish music with influences from soul, gospel and rock.-Career:The group first formed in 1985 when Liam Ó Maonlaí and Fiachna Ó Braonáin began performing as street musicians, or buskers, on the streets of Dublin,Ireland as "The...
(appearing on both Born and Live). Sheehy currently plays with the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Jeff Martin
Jeff Martin (Canadian musician)
Jeffrey Scott Martin is a Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter best known for fronting the rock band The Tea Party. Martin began his career as a solo artist in October 2005, when The Tea Party disbanded....
. Kearns (using the name Francis Xavier) released a solo album, Walking The Waves (2005), which featured both Sheehy and McEvoy.
It was announced in June 2011 that Cactus World News are to reform after 20 years (with the exception of Eoin McEvoy who has other commitments) in order to support Simple Minds in Kerry, Ireland on 30 July 2011. Long term plans have yet to be announced.
Albums
- Urban Beaches (MCG 6005, 1986; re-released with extra tracks 2001) - UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#56 - Live - Spin Magazine Concert Series (MCA L33-17202, US 1986)
- No Shelter (1989, MCA; unreleased until 2004)
Singles
- "The Bridge" EP (1985, Mother)
- "Years Later" (MCA, 1986) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#59 - "Worlds Apart" (MCA, 1986) - UK #58
- "The Bridge" (MCA, 1986) - UK #74
- "Rebound" (MCA, 1989)
- "Town Like This" (MCA, 1989)
- "Don't Let Me Down" (Rainbow, 1990)