Cactus World News

Cactus World News were an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1984. Founded by Frank Kearns and Eoin Mc Evoy the original members were: Frank Kearns, Eoin McEvoy, Wayne Sheehy, and Fergal MacAindris. Their early influences were The Clash, The Ramones, Talking Heads, U2, The Waterboys, and R.E.M.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Their first recording, 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 May 17, 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". After their second album, No Shelter, was shelved at the 11th hour 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 couple 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 play drums with Hinterland (appearing on their Kissing The Roof Of Heaven album in 1990), Hothouse Flowers (appearing on Live), Leslie Dowdall (appearing on Out There, 1998) and Dave-Id Busarus.Sheehy currently plays with Canadian songwriter Jeff Martin. Frank Kearns (using the name Francis Xavier) released a solo album, Walking The Waves, in 2005, which featured Sheehy and McEvoy. MacAindris is now playing Bass for London band Cloudbase.

Trivia: MacAindris is the son of the late, Irish-born, English-based, television broadcaster Eamonn Andrews.Frank Kearns solo album "Walking the Waves" is featured on Emirates international flights.

Discography

Albums

• Urban Beaches (MCG 6005, 1986; re-released with extra tracks 2001)
• 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)
• "Worlds Apart" (MCA, 1986)
• "The Bridge" (MCA, 1986)
• "Rebound" (MCA, 1989)
• "Town Like This" (MCA, 1989)
• "Don't Let Me Down" (Rainbow, 1990)

External links

• Official website
• Fan site (last updated May 3, 2002)
• News/Message board
• Official website for Frank Kearns

This article on an Irish band or other musical ensemble is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e