In Tua Nua
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Leslie Dowdall, Jack Dublin, Vinnie Kilduff, Ivan O'Shea, Martin Clancy, Paul Byrne, Steve Wickham |
| Defunct | 1990 |
| Fate | Disbanded; periodic reunions since 2004 |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Website | www |
In Tua Nua was an Irish rock ensemble predominantly active during the 1980s. The principal lineup featured vocalist Leslie Dowdall, guitarist Martin Clancy, bassist Jack Dublin, and drummer Paul Byrne. Apart from Clancy, these members have occasionally reunited since the early 2000s.
Biography
The group was established in the early 1980s by Leslie Dowdall, Jack Dublin, Vinnie Kilduff, Ivan O'Shea, Martin Clancy, Paul Byrne, and Steve Wickham. Their sound merged rock with elements of folk and traditional Irish music, incorporating instruments such as the uilleann pipes and electric violin.
In 1984, they became the inaugural signing to U2's Mother label, debuting with the single "Coming Thru". Shortly thereafter, they secured a contract with Island Records, releasing multiple singles including "Take My Hand", which was co-written by a young Sinéad O'Connor, followed by a rendition of Jefferson Airplane's "Somebody to Love".
By 1985, Steve Wickham departed to join the Waterboys, and Island Records dropped the band; their album recorded under Island remains unreleased. Vinnie Kilduff also exited, with Aingeala de Burca (violin) and Brian O'Briain (uilleann pipes) stepping in as replacements.
This new formation performed at the 1986 Self Aid concert. After signing with Virgin Records, they released the single "Seven into the Sea" along with the album Vaudeville in early 1987.
Following touring activities, de Burca and O'Shea left; Alicia 'Lovely' Previn (violin) and Matt Spalding (bass) joined the group. Their 1988 album The Long Acre featured radio-friendly tracks such as "All I Wanted"—which reached number 69 on the UK Singles Chart—and "Don't Fear Me Now", along with the single "Wheel of Evil".
A third album was recorded in Los Angeles for Virgin but remained unreleased due to the band's breakup. Both Vaudeville and The Long Acre were digitally reissued in 2006, while the previously shelved third album, titled When Night Came Down on Sunset, was made available via iTunes in 2007.
Although officially disbanded in 1990, original members reunited periodically from 2004 onward for live shows. In 2010, Italian label M.P. & Records issued remastered editions of Vaudeville and The Long Acre, each including bonus tracks.
After the group's dissolution, Leslie Dowdall embarked on a solo career releasing two albums during the 1990s. Paul Byrne and Jack Dublin continued working together as a rhythm section for Rocky de Valera and The Gravediggers; Byrne also manages Von Shakes, while Dublin composes for Audiokiss. In 2010, they joined Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan on tour as supporting musicians.
Albums
- Vaudeville (1987; Virgin)
- The Long Acre (1988; Virgin)
- When Night Came Down On Sunset (2007; self-released)
Singles
| Date | Single | Irish Charts |
Dutch Charts |
UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1985 | "Take My Hand" | 19 | ||
| June 1986 | "Seven into The Sea" | 9 | 24 | |
| March 1987 | "Heaven Can Wait" | 16 | ||
| November 1987 | "Some Things Never Change" | 22 | ||
| April 1988 | "All I Wanted" | 17 | 69 | |
| November 1988 | "Wheel Of Evil" | 90 |
External links
- Irish folk rock bands
- Irish alternative rock bands
- Musical acts from County Dublin
- Musical groups formed in 1982
- Musical groups disbanded in 1990
- Musical groups reunited in 2004
- 1980s Irish music scene
- 1990s Irish music scene
- 2000s Irish music scene
- 2010s Irish music scene
- 2020s Irish music scene
- Musical groups disestablished in 1990