Cry Before Dawn
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1986 in Wexford, Ireland |
| Defunct | 1992 (first period) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 1992; reunited in 2010 and active since |
| Headquarters | Wexford , Ireland |
Area served | Ireland, United Kingdom, United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
Cry Before Dawn is a rock quartet originating from Wexford, Ireland, recognized for their distinctive Celtic rock sound. Initially active between 1986 and 1992, the band reunited in 2010 and has since released multiple singles along with two albums during the late 1980s, touring extensively across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Career
The group first attracted significant attention in 1987 with their album Crimes of Conscience, released under the CBS label. Their lead single, "Gone Forever," debuted in Ireland in February 1987 and was reissued in both Ireland and the UK in 1988. Subsequent singles included "The Seed That's Been Sown" and "Girl in the Ghetto." The album achieved considerable success domestically and earned praise from critics in the UK. Cry Before Dawn also appeared on the UK's television program Wogan, performing "Witness for the World." Their strong connection to rural Ireland, particularly their Wexford heritage, contributed to their popularity at home, as exemplified by the "Gone Forever" music video. Despite this, their impact on the UK market was limited, even after supporting Big Country on their 1989 UK tour.
In 1988, the band contributed the track "Silly Dreams" to the soundtrack of the Irish movie The Courier. Their sophomore album, Witness for the World, was recorded in Wales and mixed in Los Angeles by Greg Ladanyi. Released in 1989 through Epic/CBS, it received a muted reception. The lead single peaked at number 67 on the UK Singles Chart, while following singles did not chart. Around this period, they graced the cover of Irish music publication Hot Press. At the 1989 IRMA awards, Cry Before Dawn was named Best Irish Group, having previously secured Best Newcomer two years earlier. After parting ways with their record label, they toured throughout Ireland before ultimately disbanding.
A brief reunion followed with Paul Spencer replacing Tony Hall on guitar; Steve Belton later assumed guitar responsibilities. After issuing the single "To Be True" in 1992, the band dissolved once more.
Brendan Wade went on to establish The Wild Swans (later known as The Swans and Bell and Wade) alongside Paul Bell, achieving moderate acclaim within Ireland. Their track "Dancing at the Crossroads" reached number one on Irish charts coinciding with County Wexford’s victory in the 1996 All-Ireland hurling final.
Currently residing in Switzerland, Wade performs both solo and as a supporting act. Vincent Doyle, the bassist, manages a family-run motor trade enterprise in Wexford; drummer Pat Hayes returned to Wexford after spending twelve years in Stockholm.
Since 2017, Cry Before Dawn has been active again with original guitarist Tony Hall rejoining. They continue to attract sold-out audiences across Ireland.
In 2024, they undertook a nationwide tour that sold out major venues including two nights at Wexford Spiegeltent and three nights at Dublin's Whelan’s Main Venue. Their appearances at international festivals such as Forest Fest and Night & Day further cemented their reputation as one of Ireland’s leading live acts.
Continuing into 2025, Cry Before Dawn delivered powerful performances throughout Ireland at venues including St Luke’s Cork and The Academy Dublin. On 1 August, they released Open Water, marking their first vinyl release since 1989. Produced by Grammy-nominated Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy at The Production Suite Dublin, this six-track EP debuted at number one on the Official Irish Independent Album Chart and reached number two overall.
Additionally, they performed live on TG4 during the 2025 Fleadh Cheoil broadcast from Wexford, reaching an estimated global audience of around one million viewers.
Members
- Brendan Wade – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, uilleann pipes, and whistle
- Vince Doyle – bass guitar
- Pat Hayes – drums, percussion, and backing vocals
- Tony Hall – electric and acoustic guitars
Albums
- Crimes of Conscience (CBS, 1987)
- Witness for the World (CBS, 1989)
- The Best of Cry Before Dawn (Sony Music Ireland, 2011)
- Live at the Wexford Opera House (CBD, 2011)
- Open Water EP (CBD, 2025)
Singles
| Year | Title | Highest chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | IRE | |||
| 1984 | "Follow Me" | — | — | Template:Non-album single |
| 1987 | "Gone Forever" | 80 | 11 | Crimes of Conscience |
| 1987 | "The Seed That's Been Sown" | 159 | 17 | |
| 1987 | "Girl in the Ghetto" | 166 | 24 | |
| 1988 | "Gone Forever" (UK reissue) | 84 | — | |
| "Flags" (released only in Ireland) | — | — | ||
| 1989 | "Witness for the World" | 67 | 13 | Witness for the World |
| "Last of the Sun" | 108 | 17 | ||
| 1990 | "No Living Without You" | 107 | 13 | |
| 1992 | "To Be True" | — | — | rowspan="2" Template:Non-album singles |
| 2013 | "Is This What You Waited For" | — | — | |
| 2025 | "Open Water" | — | — | Open Water |
| 2025 | "Peace and Freedom" | — | — | Open Water |