Cry Before Dawn – Gone Forever
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, reader Ross Mac has a soft spot for 1980s Wexford rockers Cry Before Dawn.
The video for this single from 1987 was shot in Dun Mhuire, Wexford.
Ross Mac writes:
“A great emigrant’s lament. A fantastic recognisably Irish tune and certainly underrated.”
Nick says: Dawn chorus.
Old mates of mine, the drummer, Pat (back of photo), lives down the street from me. They occasionally reform for a tour.
I remember this from back in my pre teen days but it was probably when they went on the reunion tour and they got a bit of airplay again that I appreciated what a rocking anthem it is. An almost perfect 4 minutes from the intro to the plaintive chorus. A real 80s and Simple Minds vibe off it. ( Interesting that Brendan Wade is also responsible for probably the only decent GAA inspired track- “Dancing at the Crossroads”)
Nick says: Dawn chorus.
scottser says roland jazz chorus; the ultimate 80s guitar amp.
hate to be the meh-er in this but this is one band that i couldnt agree were underrated
In a similar vein (but far better IMO)
The Adventures – Broken Land
https://youtu.be/WFsg2cXSOgQ
It’s not even the best song from Wexford in the 80’s. That’d be Pierce Turner.
https://youtu.be/nzLafI_Qamg
I know a few people in the video!
This is a bit left field, but the main hook of the song “..I can see you but I can’t hear..” reminds me of the main hook in Maxi Priest’s 1990 hit “Close to You”: “..I just wanna get close to you..” – same melody!
https://youtu.be/ZpyO4_fWw4A?t=31
Strangely, I remember this. Another one for Nick might be, The Adventures , circa ’84 -present. I naughtily slept with the drummer’s girlfriend on her graduation day – she was my sister’s friend at St. Mary’s, Teacher Training College in Belfast. For the record, “slept”. They broke up – but I understand they are now long since married – yay! Is it again too much information from Shayna?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFsg2cXSOgQ&ab_channel=thatvinguy
* looks back up the thread *
well I think that proves Shayna doesn’t read my posts :)
I suspect there’s a bit more to shayna that we credit her with… and suspect shes having a little giggle now
Grew up in Wexford, Had to leave before they recorded this. Was devastated leaving the first love of my life behind. (Just spotted her in the video, can’t believe I never noticed before)
As I recall the Dun Mhuire video wasn’t good enough for CBS records so they shot a new one in the Point Depot (It was still a warehouse / railway yard back then)