The Cranberries Biography

The Cranberries are an Irish alternative rock band formed in 1989. They rose to fame with the 1993 album Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?. Their most popular song is Zombie, released one year later. The group sold over 40 million records to date.

Formation & Early Years

The Cranberries was created by brothers Mike and Noel, and Fergal Lawler. Shortly after, the lead vocalist Dolores O’Riordan joined and the band released their debut EP, Nothing Left At All, selling 300 copies. Furthermore, they hired Pearse Gilmore of Xeric Studios as their manager and began recording their first demo. After gaining some popularity, The Cranberries signed with Island Records. They released another EP at Gilmore’s label, but due to the poor reviews, they fired him.

Utter Success

In 1993, the band made its commercial breakthrough, with their debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?. The 5x platinum record peaked at number 18 in the US and topped the UK Albums chart. It spawned It spawned three singles, Dreams, Linger and Sunday. In 1994, The Cranberries came out with No Need to Argue, which topped several charts and went x7 platinum in the US. The record spawned the iconic, number 1 single Zombie. The next single, Ode to My Family, I Can’t Be with You and Ridiculous Thoughts also received recognition.

Reunion

The band went on a hiatus between 2004 and 2009. They initially reunited for a North American and European tour but ended up releasing two more albums, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee and Roses. The Cranberries’ seventh album, Something Else, is due for 28 April 2017.

Photo source: Discogs