The Cranberries

The Cranberries are an Irish alternative rock band that rose to mainstream popularity in the 1990s. Though not officially disbanded, they have been on hiatus since 2005.

Band members

Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan Burton (born September 6, 1971) is the vocalist, keyboardist and backing guitarist for the band.
Noel Anthony Hogan (born December 25, 1971 in Moyross, Limerick, Ireland) is the guitarist. He is the brother of Mike.
(Mike) Michael Gerard Hogan (born April 29, 1973, in Moyross, Limerick, Ireland) is the bass guitar player.
Fergal Patrick Lawler was born in Parteen (near Limerick), Ireland on March 4 1971, is the drummer.

History

Origins

Noel and Mike Hogan, two brothers from Limerick, formed the band with drummer Fergal Lawler in 1990. The band was originally named The Cranberry Saw Us, a pun on cranberry sauce. The lead singer at that time was a friend of theirs named Niall Quinn, who had an extravagant taste for composing and song names, such as "My Grandma drowned in a fountain in Lourdes", "I was always all ways" and "Throw Me Down A Big Stairs". When he left the band, Dolores O'Riordan, who was a friend of Niall's girlfriend at the time, auditioned and won the role of lead singer, writing the lyrics for "Linger." The character of her voice – which can be alternately keening, powerful, or lilting – is the distinctive element of the band's sound.

Their homemade demo tape did well locally, and the band soon recorded a demo tape that earned considerable popular and critical acclaim. After a major-label bidding war, The Cranberries signed with Island Records. After an unsuccessful first single, they ditched their manager. Their second single, "Linger," and debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?, became a huge hit first in the United States, United Kingdom and later in the world. The single "Dreams" also became a hit, reaching #14 on the US charts. In 1994 their single 'zombie' soar up in the charts to become their most successful song ever.

Mid-90s

Amidst rumors of O'Riordan's imminent departure, the band released To the Faithful Departed, which sold well despite poor reviews, though not nearly as well as the previous album. During the next few years, the band cancelled a large tour and rumors of a breakup were widespread. They released Bury the Hatchet to mixed reviews in 1999.

In 2001, they released Wake Up and Smell the Coffee to rave reviews of "The magic is back." The album debuted at number 46 in the U.S. charts. The following year, a greatest-hits compilation entitled Stars - The Best of 1992 - 2002 was released, along with a DVD of music videos.

Time for a break

However, in 2004, The Cranberries announced they were taking some time to pursue individual careers. Earlier that year, O'Riordan had sung the title track to the movie The Passion of the Christ, "Ave Maria" and even composed a song for the movie Evilenko (with Malcolm McDowell). She plans to record a solo album (to be released in late 2006). Noel Hogan's new project is the Mono Band.

The Cranberries decided to put the next album on hold. After more than a dozen years of relentless touring and promotion, which had seen them clocking up album sales in excess of 38 million and playing to hundreds of thousands of fans around the globe, the band decided it was time for a break.

Discography

Albums

Studio

"Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?" (April 1993) UK #1, US #18 (ww sales 7,600,000)
"No Need to Argue" (September 1994) UK #2, US #6 (ww sales 16,700,000)
"To the Faithful Departed" (April 1996) UK #2, US #4 (ww sales 6,200,000)
"Bury the Hatchet" (April 1999) UK #7, US #13 (ww sales 3,300,000)
"Wake Up and Smell the Coffee" (October 2001) UK #61, US #46 (ww sales 1,300,000)

Miscellaneous combinations / limited editions 1,800,000 approx.

Compilations

"Bury the Hatchet - The Complete Sessions" (2000) – 26 track release
"Stars - The Best of 1992 - 2002" (September 2002) – UK #20
"Treasure Box - The Complete Sessions 1992-1999" 4 albums remastered

Live

"Doors And Windows" (1995) (multimedia disc)
"In Concert at the BBC" (1994) – limited UK release
" New Rock 94-44, disc 2 of 2" (1994)

Singles

Year	Song	Album
1990	"Nothing Left At All"	Nothing Left At All EP
1991	"Uncertain"	Uncertain EP
September 1992	"Dreams"	Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
February 1993	"Linger (song)"	Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
January 1994	"Linger" (Re-Issue)	Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
April 1994	"Dreams" (Re-Issue)	Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can't We?
September 1994	"Zombie"	No Need To Argue
November 1994	"Ode To My Family"	No Need To Argue
February 1995	"I Can’t Be With You"	No Need To Argue
July 1995	"Ridiculous Thoughts"	No Need To Argue
April 1996	"Salvation"	To the Faithful Departed
July 1996	"Free To Decide"	To the Faithful Departed
October 1996	"When You’re Gone"	To the Faithful Departed
1997	"Hollywood"	To the Faithful Departed
March 1999	"Promises"	Bury The Hatchet
June 1999	"Animal Instinct"	Bury The Hatchet
August 1999	"Just My Imagination"	Bury The Hatchet
March 2000	"You And Me"	Bury The Hatchet
September 2001	"Analyse"	Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
January 2002	"Time Is Ticking Out"	Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
March 2002	"This Is The Day"	Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
October 2002	"Stars"	Stars - The Best of 1992 - 2002

DVDs and videos

"Beneath The Skin - Live In Paris"
"Beneath The Skin - Live In Paris - 2"
"Stars - The Best of 1992 - 2002" (2002)
"20th Century Masters Collection: The Cranberries"
"Live - Live in Astoria" (VHS)
"Live - Live In Astoria" (DVD)

External links

1990s music groups | Peel Sessions artists | Irish musical groups | Limerick | Bands with female lead singers

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