As we posted here earlier, Zombieguide editor Cranguy made the pilgrimage yesterday to Baltimore, MD, to the Mistletoe Meltdown 2001. Sure, the concert was incredible beyond description, but that wasn’t the ambrosia of the night. Pictures, setlist, all the good stuff is coming soon.

Weeks before the event, I had planned to meet Paul (aka “YeatsGrave”), an internet veteran of all things Cranberries. The plans somewhat fell apart, but I had told him approximately where I was sitting, and by stroke of luck, he found us.

Several bands after The Cranberries, Alanis Morissette was in the midst of her gig, after a tedious and buzz-killing hour-long setup. It was then that Paul rushed over to me, yelling as best as he could over the speakers, something about, “If you want an autograph…”. I really didn’t know where he was going with that, but I grabbed my coat and followed. We went back near where he was sitting, very close to the mixing area.

Step #1: First Encounter With Angry School Bus
Behind the flimsy barricade stood a starkly familiar face that I caught with several eye scans. It was Fergal! He stood beside Russel Burton, the band’s backup keyboardist. I took a slow step toward the railing, when a chunky, intimidating woman in a yellow event shirt (who I mistaked for a school bus for a second), yelled with a blunt grunt, “No walking through here!”. I point at Fergal, and she jiggled her head from side to side in a commanding, “NO!”

Step #2: Negotiate with Angry School Bus
I walked away disappointed, but not beaten. I looked back and saw the creature had returned to her aluminum chair. She stared at me. I walked back towards her. “Can I please get an autograph from The Cranberries’s drummer?!” I pleaded. Once again, the growling, “No!” Nazis. *sigh* But I know she was only doing her job. At this point, I was carefully choosing two options: Performing an illegal act by passing a school bus while it is showing its bright red “STOP” lights or go back to my seat and wait for a better time. I wisely chose the second.

Step #3: Waiting in the Rain
I said to my friend Chris (who will have his own impressions up here soon), “As soon as her set’s over, we’re running back there!” Begrudgingly, I looked back impatiently while Alanis shrieked on stage. Finally, I looked back and Fergal was gone. So much for that plan.
So her set was over. I walked back stealthfully past the mixing area once again. He was definitely gone. Odds are, he was still in the arena, however. Now another two options: Carpe diem or watch a band I care none about. I knew that there was no re-admission when I walked out the door, but that was fine. Things were getting repetitive.
As I started walking out, Paul and his significant other caught up. I asked them if they wanted to try to catch them, but when they realized they wouldn’t be able to get back in, they hesitated, and so we said what I thought would be our final goodbye.
So Chris and I stood for a half hour in the drizzling rain, among an angry hoarde of Alanis junkies. Poor Chris. Didn’t even have sleeves on his fleece. After a few minutes, Paul and his boyfriend changed their minds and met up with us. And so we waited and waited.

Step #4: Desperate Yelling
Finally, a few figures appeared, walking out of the underground entrance. Paul began yelling, “Cranberries!! Wohoo!! Yeah!!” while my eyes were still focusing on the dark shadows.
“You guys want some autographs?” yelled one of the band’s backups. “YES!! PLEASE!! AUTOGRAPH!! SIGN!! FERGAL!!” I yelled desperately, waving my poor, unfortunate, wrinkled-by-excitement “Uncertain” EP in the air. They gave a hearty laugh. The door to the immense tour bus opened. They stepped on, and the engine started.

Step #5: Final Desperation (Warning: Kids, do not try this at home)
I stood silently, prepared to have my fragile, flabby heart snapped in two. Paul, who met Fergal at the sound mixer with no 2-ton encounters, was already content. “That is coooold!” he told me with emphatic sympathy.
I ran alongside the bus, with another flimsy barrier between me and my goal. At the front, I found the only window not tinted and shut with blinds — the driver’s window. I leaned over the barrier, hoping that he would recognize the band’s first commercial release, or even more so, my frantic pointing and my “air signature”. He looked at me and laughed. Minutes later, a roadie came to the front of the bus, enjoying a “beverage”. He also stared at me, holding his cup with one hand, and a hopeless, sarcastic thumbs-up given with with other.
At this point, I was the personification of desperation. I was down on my knees, holding Uncertain between my begging palms. Finally, Chris got the most stupid yet brilliant idea of a lifetime. “I got an idea!!” he told me, “Give me your Sharpie!”. He pulled a soiled napkin out of his pocket, thanks to the overpriced “Super Dogs” at the concession stand. He unfolded it, and wrote, “ZOMBIE GUIDE.COM” and held it up to the window, joining me on my knees, his knees in a puddle, whilst Alanis junkies began gathering around us for some second-hand excitement.

Success: “Oh Lordie!”
Could they be so heartless? I was bound to find out. I saw some heads inside turn around, and I hoped for the best. A figure approached the front and I recognized him as Fergal! Without thinking I ran to the back of the bus, thinking that he would meet me where I was standing when they boarded. I looked back and saw Fergal standing at the rail.

He held out his hand and I ecstatically shook it. “Hi, I’m Alex,” I said with an insuppressible grin.
“You’re not Alex from Zombieguide, are you?”
“Yeah!”
“Oh Lordie!” he said, “Zombieguide’s awesome!”

Source: Exclusive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Cranberries are teaming up with Canada’s biggest coffee shop, Second Cup, for promotion of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”. Clever, no?

Those that act quickly and order the album during the promotion are specially rewarded. You can order the album through Second Cup’s website, by clicking on a link to HMV, and order “Wake Up”. The first hundred to do so receive a bonus — “Preserved — The Story So Far” promo Greatest Hits CD, starting Monday, December 10th.

ChartAttack has a great suggestion for all you fans out there, who no doubt already have the album. Buy the album, give it away as a Christmas gift, and keep the promo for yourself!

Source: ChartAttack

The Cranberries stopped into the Edge 102 Studios in Toronto, Canada, earlier today to play a short 3-song acoustic set, as well as a live interview, particularly on the band’s views about the September 11th tragedies.

The band played the following three songs acoustically:
1. Analyse
2. Ode to My Family
3. Linger

Most remarkable was Dolores and Fergal’s personal account of when she first learned of the attacks. “We were actually in Stockholm on September 11th,” narrated Fergal. “We were in the middle of doing some press interviews and the people from the record company came in and just said, ‘My God, turn on CNN, you won’t believe it!’. And that was when the first plane crashed, and then we saw the second one happening and said, ‘Oh my God!’. Horrific.”

Dolores added, “My first instinct was, ‘Go straight home, mind your babies, God knows what’s happening here in the world’, so basically we had to follow our hearts, so we went home, and stayed with our families until things settled down a little bit more.”

The band did regret that they had to cancel much of their promo plans in the interim, but felt that they had made the right decision. “At the end of the day, I totally doffed my career, but [my children] are small, so it’s good to be there.”

Even more significant was that Dolores, for the first time ever, discussed some of the songs she has written since the recording of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”, and even more importantly, since the terrorist attacks.

Dolores conveyed, “There’s been a couple of songs actually that have definitely been affected or influenced by what happened, you know? So hopefully you’ll see those kinds of things next year. As I said, I didn’t want to kind of run out, jumping on stage singing all that stuff, which is the one route one can take, but I just personally felt safer at home and just felt that’s where we should be. So if you get inspired to write lovely songs or whatever, then good, you know, whatever.”

Perhaps we can look forward to new, more pessimistic songs? Dolores’s reference to “next year” is also an interesting one, perhaps suggesting that the band will add new songs to the “Wake Up” World Tour setlist. Or perhaps, a new album is sooner than we expect.

Source: Exclusive

We reported awhile back of a 10-track UK “Wake Up” promo which included a brand new remix of “Linger”. We have some more information on the new mix.

The new mix is done by Dave Basconbe, rather than the recent “Analyse” and “TITO” mixes, done by Marius de Vries. The mix still does not have a proper title, but it is very likely that will we see it on a future release.

Source: Exclusive

Here’s another photo from last Tuesday’s press conference in Madrid, a Zombieguide exclusive!
Thanks to Aaron Ros of the Official Spanish Cranberries Fanclub for the pic!
We will have more photos & media from the Madrid press conference shortly.

Source: Exclusive

Here’s another photo from last Tuesday’s press conference in Madrid, taken from MCA Records.
We will have more photos & media from the Madrid press conference coming shortly!

Source: MCA Records

Zombieguide has obtained some brand new information from an Italian Universal Music mailing list, mostly regarding Italy.

First is the exact setlist for The Cranberries performance at the Concerto di Vaticano in Natale, where the band will be playing in front of Pope John Paul II. The band will be playing two songs:

1. Analyse
2. Panis Angelicus

The concert, though will be performed on December 15th, will be broadcasted on Christmas Eve, December 24th, on Canale 5.

The newsletter will have a web-based component at www.cranberriesitalia.it by the end of the week. When the site launches, it will be holding a contest for five fans to meet The Cranberries prior to the Vatican concert. In addition, fans can email info@cranberriesitalia.it with interview questions, which will be asked to Dolores and hosted on the website as part of the occasion.

Lastly, the newsletter announces two Italian world tour dates for next year, namely:

March 10, 2002 Bologna, Italy
April 5, 2002 Milano, Italy

Major thanks to Francesca for the news.

Source: Exclusive

Here’s another photo from Tuesday’s press conference in Madrid, a Zombieguide exclusive!
Thanks to Aaron Ros of the Official Spanish Cranberries Fanclub for the pic!
We will have more photos & media from the Madrid press conference coming shortly.

Source: Exclusive

As a valediction to the end of The Cranberries eTeam, the MCA-run group has posted a gift to all those that participated — the first still from the upcoming video “Time is Ticking Out”. As stated on the official site, the video has a very “Wizard of Oz”-esque feel. Ready to check it out? Look below!

Source: Cranberries eTeam

The Spanish multimedia outlet Terra has posted a 4-minute video from Tuesday’s press conference in Madrid. The video is heavily dubbed in Castilian Spanish, so English-speaking readers probably won’t benefit much from the audio. Interestingly enough, Dolores’s voice is dubbed by Laura Ceballos, the band’s Spanish PR manager, who can be found in the liner notes of “Wake Up”. Check out Terra Real Video streaming for the press conference video. (Link no longer available)

Here’s some trivia for you… during the press conference, the band had quite an elaborate stage set for the presentation. One of the larger items on stage? The brass bed on the cover of “Wake Up”! Sure doesn’t beat the famous “Couch”, though.

Thanks to Aaron Ros of the Official Spanish Cranberries Fanclub for the news tip. We will have more media from the Madrid press conference in the coming days!

Source: Terra

Next week, The Crans will be getting yet more broadcast time in Europe, compliments of “Sol Música Portugal”. The channel will be broadcasting a special program with the band on December 8th at 20:00 (local time). The show will feature an interview, video clips, and some live songs.

Source: Cranberries PT

Pollstar has posted four new German tour dates and venues for the European leg of the “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” 2002 World Tour. The four dates span from February until May, giving German fans several opportunities to see the band. The complete European itinerary currently stands as:

Sun 02/17/02 Copenhagen, DEN Vega Musikkenshus
Thu 02/21/02 Berlin, GER Columbiahalle
Fri 02/22/02 Dusseldorf, GER Philipshalle
Wed 03/13/02 Madrid, SPA Palacio Vista Alegre
Fri 03/15/02 Barcelona, SPA Palau Sant Jordi
Sat 03/16/02 San Sebastian, SPA Velodromo de Anoeta
Sun 03/31/02 Frankfurt, GER Jahrhunderthalle Hoechst
Wed 04/03/02 Stuttgart, GER Beethovensaal

Source: Pollstar

The Spanish revista “Top Music” has a free double-page poster of The Cranberries in its November 2001 issue. The shot is the band’s “green field” shot, which you can see next to last on the left column of pictures on the mag’s cover.

Source: Exclusive

MCA Records has sent promo CDs for “Time is Ticking Out” to Spanish radio stations, with some wickedly cool cover art, compliments of the band’s photographer, Andy Earl. The CD has the same tracklisting as the German version, but with the obvious improvement in cover art (First “Analyse” and now this. Germany seems to be cheated lately out of good promo art, don’t you think?)

1. Time is Ticking Out (Single Version)
2. Time is Ticking Out (The Marius de Vries Remix)

Source: Exclusive

It’s been over two months since we heard of The Cranberries Windows XP ad campaign, but we now have our first piece of it. At a very recent Microsoft convention in France, 1-track sampler audio CD’s have been distributed for free with the song “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”. The CD is by Universal Music E-Compil and is sponsored by both Microsoft and Compaq.

Judging that the original news was generated from Universal France and that the promo CDs are French, the campaign apparently is for France only. As for the US? Well, we get to listen to Madonna’s “Ray of Light” over. And over. Again.

Source: Exclusive

We have some of the first images from Tuesday’s Movistar Activa press conference where the band officially announced three tour dates for March of next year. We’ll have more images from the conference shortly, so keep it here!

Source: The pretty Cranberries

The French-Canadian magazine “Adorable” has an exclusive interview with The Cranberries this month (and some not-so-exclusive Andy Earl photos).
Check out the scans…

Source: Cranberries Tape Trader

A new Spanish interview, recorded with the band yesterday, airs tonight on the show “El Informal” on the channel Telecino.

A newspaper clip from “El País” (below) summarizes the show saying, “Félix Álvarez interviews the four members of the Irish group The Cranberries (in the image), that are, after two years of absence, launching their latest record, Wake Up and Smell The Coffee”

The band is also in several Spanish papers today, recapping yesterday’s press conference. The papers include “El Mundo”, “El Periódico” and “20 Minutos – Barcelona” (which even includes a photo — if someone can get us a scan, send it!)

Source: Cranberries of Prat

As planned, The Cranberries pre-recorded a mini-concert in Barcelona on Monday of this week for the show “Musica Sí”. The band played a total of four songs for the show, with the setlist being:

1. Analyse
2. Wake Up and Smell the Coffee
3. Zombie
4. Time Is Ticking Out

Noel was in fact at the performance, which may suggest that he has decided to be present for the December US radio performance tour.

The webmasters of The Cranberries of Prat were lucky enough not only to be at the show, not only to sit in the front row, not only to get an autograph, not only to get some memorobilia, but to have a short conversation with Dolores during the soundcheck.

However, the recording did not go smoothly — which is all too reminicent of the 1999 “Musica Sí” performance (where first-hand accounts said that at times, the crowd actually boo’ed the band!). Most of the crowd was filler — only 11 of the 300-some-odd attendees were actual Cranberries fans. There were multiple sound problems including small, low-grade speakers, and a system which Cranberres of Prat described as “horrible” and “fatal”. After some uncomfortable exchanges of words between the band and the director, it seemed that the band was prepared to leave, without finishing the concert. However, the band did decide to finish the show, though it may have ended on a sour note.

The “Musica Sí” performance of “Analyse” will air in about two weeks, while the full set will be aired later for a special Chirstmas broadcast.

Source: Cranberries of Prat

MCA Records has released promo CDs this week for the second single of “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”, “Time is Ticking Out”. Below we see the 2- track German version of the promo, which includes black and white art of the “desert” scene seen on the front of the International version of the album.

Tracks for the German version are:

1. Time is Ticking Out (Single Version)
2. Time is Ticking Out (Marius de Vries Mix)

We should be seeing other versions of the single in the coming days, so be sure to check back soon.

Source: Exclusive

French magazine FHM has not one, but two interviews with The Cranberries in their December 2001 issue, plus a review of “Wake Up” (which received 3 stars). Below are some scans of the mag, with another new shot of the band.

Source: Cranberries Tape Trader, No Need To Argue

The Official Cranberries Website has updated today, announcing another new 2002 “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” World Tour date for Denmark:

Feb 17, 2002 Copenhagen, Denmark Vega

Also, if you check out the “Shopping” section, there is new “Wake Up” merchandise to be purchased, including (among the most interesting items) a bath robe $90 US, heat-changing “Wake Up” coffee mug (very appropriate!) $25 US and a “Time is Ticking Out” alarm clock $40 US!

Visit the section for more including stress balls, a travel thermos, posters, and more.

Source: The Official Cranberries Website

The Cranberries are among several bands nominated for the NRJ Music Awards 2002, one of the most prestigious awards shows in France; Dolores and Don appeared at the awards show last year to present the award for “Best French Album”. You can vote by clicking here (Link no longer available), but note that you’ll need to register, and the page is in French. If you get lost, you can use AltaVista’s free translation or email Danny Kronstrom (Cranberries Tape Trader webmaster) for assistance.

Source: Cranberries Tape Trader

The Cranberries will be featured next month on the French channel MCM on the show “L’intégrale”. The feature will be showing all the band’s music videos from the first album to the present. Those who get the channel can watch for it on December 12th at 1:15PM local time.

Source: Cranberries Tape Trader

In an article in the Brazilian newspaper “Estado de Minas”, the paper claims that Fergal (and the rest of the band) “has much interest in touching Brazil” during their upcoming 2002 world tour.
If the band decides to plot Brazilian tour dates, it will be the 1st time The Cranberries have visited the country in their 10 years of touring.

Thanks to Marcelo Nery for the news tip.

Source: Estado de Minas

Apparently it won’t be such a merry Christmas at the Vatican for musicians Elton John and George Michael and poor-excuse-for-a-pseudo-musician Britney Spears, according to an article on Worldpop.com. All three have been rejected for next month’s concert for the Pope at the Vatican on the fifteenth of next month, where The Cranberries will be performing.

A spokesperson for the Pope claimed Spears was “too sexy” while John and Michael were turned away due to their strong ties with the homosexual community.

Even more enticing, the article claims that, “Cranberries singer Dolores O’ Riordan is rumoured to be a particular favourite of the Pope, even being offered a solo spot at the concert.” A generous compliment to Dolores, although the entire band is expected to be there (Noel’s presence pending, however).

Source: Worldpop.com

The Cranberries (sans Noel) are in the October issue of the Irish mag “The RTE Guide”. The magazine has a 2-page interview titled “Strange Fruit” (also the title of a great Cranberries bootleg) with Dolores on her present and past life, along with lots of jabber about the new album.

Source: Exclusive

With the success of “Wake Up” in Spain, it is no surprise that España is among the first announced tour dates for The Cranberries’s globetrotting 2002 world tour. The band told Los 40 Principales earlier today of three tour dates scheduled for March of next year.

Forunately or unfortunately, however, the band won’t be alone when they visit the Iberian Peninsula. The Cranberries will be one of several bands on the Movistar Activa tour, an annual festival. Few other bands have been confirmed for the gigs, but Los 40 Principales, who seem to be privy to such info, hint that there will be “a great national [Spanish] rock band and another foreign group” which will be announced shortly.

And so here are the dates for the 2002 Movistar Activa Tour in Spain:

Madrid, March 13th, 2002
Barcelona, March 15th, 2002
San Sebastian, March 16th, 2002

Source: Los 40 Principales

Dolores’s “red furry coat” shot is on the cover of the latest issue of the industry-only magazine “Universal Music News”. The magazine is distributed to retailers, radio stations, and media outlets to promote Universal releases. You can check out an exclusive shot of it below…

Source: Exclusive

We learned back in September that The Cranberries have begun writing more new songs, presumably for an eventual sixth album. Apparently, the band was able to talk more about those songs to “The Age”, in another interview in September.

Along with some general interview questions about the new album, the article ends with this statement:

“The band is already gearing up for a sixth album to come either during or after a world tour they plan to kick off in February.”

Certainly, it’s still too early for any concrete plans, but if the band were able to record another album and release it within a year, it would make it the shortest span of time between two Cranberries albums. If you’re interested in reading the entire interview at “The Age”, you can do so here (you should find it very similar to the “La Press” interview).

Source: The Age

MCA Records released a press release earlier today regarding the band’s planned radio tour of the US next month. The release includes quotes from Dolores, excerpts from several magazine/newspaper reviews, and a completed chart of the band’s itenerary. As you can read in the release, Noel’s daughter is very unfortunately still ill, which means that a backup guitarist will take his place during the tour.

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ —

 

MCA Recording artists, The Cranberries, make their return to the stage in the United States for concerts at radio station Christmas shows in December. The Irish super group were due to visit the continent in October and December in support of their new album, “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee,” but postponed their October schedule due to the uncertainties in the world as a result of the American tragedies.

 

“I was really concerned for my two little children at a very difficult time following the uncertainties arising out of the conflict in Afghanistan. Our guitarist (Noel Hogan) is going through challenging times in his family, and the band felt we should be home with our families and we have always followed our hearts. Now it’s time to get back to work and bring some happiness to our fans in America with a few performances before we begin our next world tour in February 2002,” stated the band’s Dolores O’Riordan. A session guitarist will once again accompany the band due to an illness with Noel Hogan’s two-year old daughter.

 

“Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” was released in October to rave reviews heralding the band’s return to form’ with producer Stephen Street (The Smiths, Morrissey, Blur).

 

USA Today — “Echoes of dreamy, driving ambience are evident on wistful tracks such as ‘Never Grow Old’ and the single ‘Analyse’ and the sinuous bass- driven ‘Time Is Ticking Out’.”

 

The Toronto Sun — “… this 13-song collection is marked by Dolores O’Riordan’s vocals up-front, with gorgeous guitar moments from guitarist Noel Hogan.”

 

The New York Daily News — “Cranberries fans who fell in love with the band for it’s chiming guitars and bright melodies will feel warmly welcomed by the group’s fifth album.”

 

Alternative Press — “Hard Rockers like ‘This is the Day’ and the title track satisfy expectations”

 

Marie Claire — “Distinctive as always, Dolores O’Riordan’s keening Celtic voice is perfectly paired with the crystalline melodies of Wake up and Smell the Coffee”

 

The Cranberries arrive on December 1 to the United States performing at the following Radio shows:
December 3 Boston, MA – Fleet Center – WBMX Christmas
December 4 Philadelphia, PA – Finnigans Wake – WMIX Christmas show
December 5 Cleveland, OH – Playhouse Square – WQAL Christmas
December 8 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Arena – WMIX Christmas
December 9 Tampa, FL – M

 

Proceeds generated by the radio stations are being donated to a variety of charities supported locally and nationally.

 

www.cranberries.ie

Source: KW Musica

The Italian website KW Musica has confirmed that The Cranberries are indeed among several artists to play in front of Pope John Paul II at the Concerto di Natale in Vaticano, which will take place on Dec. 15th

KW Musica confirms that The Cranberries will be performing two songs, the first being Analyse, the second a traditional Irish Christmas song. Other artists slated for the event include Ray Charles, New Millennium Voices Gospel Choir (New York), Sascha, Josè Feliciano, plus Italian singers. As is done yearly, the concert will be broadcasted nationally on Canale 5 in Italy. Those wishing to check out the concert’s official homepage can do so here.

Thanks to Francesca for the news tip.

Source: KW Musica

The Cranberries are the November “Artists of the Month” on MTV Spain, where “Wake Up” has been performing very well. To celebrate, the channel will be running a 4-hour block of uninterrupted Cranberries specials beginning at 20.00 and running until 0.00 this coming Saturday night, November 24th.

20.00h-21.00h MTV Live
21.00h-21.30h MTV Rockumentary (1996)
21.30h-22.30h MTV Unplugged (Brooklyn Academy of Music, February 14th, 1995)
22.30h-00.00h MTV Videography

In the event that you miss it, the shows will be repeated the following day (the 25th). Thanks to Jesús Castillo for the news.

Source: Exclusive

On the Cadena 40, the most important radio airplay countdown in Spain, the single “Analyse” has gone to #1 after a long, slow, struggle to the top. The long climb is a traditional one — “Promises” hit #1 only a week before the release of the second single, “Animal Instinct”. Thus far, “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee” has had an overwhelmingly positive response in Spain, more so than any other country.

Source: Cadena 40

The Cranberries are one of several artists featured in Issue 54 of the CD- ROM based US magazine “Launch”. The disc includes the same interview and “Analyse” performance found on Launch.com’s website, but can now be found in sweet sweet high framerate. Surprisingly, this is one of the only major “magazine” features the ‘Berries have had in the US.

Source: Exclusive

Although orders began earlier this month for “Mistletoe Meltdown” seats, tickets had not been printed until earlier this week. Those that ordered them received them throughout the week. The Cranberries will be playing @ The Mistletoe Meltdown on December 8th. And yes, this means that Cranguy DID receive his tickets, so Zombieguide.com will be reporting with every single thing we can get our hands on, on location — setlist, impressions, and hopefully a whole lot more!

Source: Exclusive

In an update on the Official Cranberries Website, the director for “Time is Ticking Out” has been announced. The band will be filming the video in Dublin this week with director Maurice Linnane, who directed the live video/DVD “Beneath the Skin: Live in Paris”. The video will be available on the official page in streaming format once available.

In other downloadables news, a remix of “Time is Ticking Out”, done by Marius de Vries, will also soon be available on the official page. Like the B- side “Many Days”, the download will require the original CD for “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”, along with a downloadable “CD Key” plugin.

Currently, the band is at home in Limerick, practicing for the the upcoming US promo tour in December. The official site also confirms that the band will also be doing TV and print work while in the States. (Note to anyone with prestige reading this: Talk show appearances such as Rosie and Letterman are more than a good idea!)

 Source: Official Cranberries Website

Dolores is on the November 10th cover of “Weekend”, a supplement of UK newspaper “The Examiner”, in an article titled “Scent of a Woman”. There’s a 2-page interview with the Cran singer inside, along with one solo shot and two Cranberries group shots. Zombieguide’s got some exclusive scans of the cover and and inside shot, just for you.

Source: Exclusive

In the new issue of the Spanish magazine “Emol”, there’s a 1-page photo and interview with Dolores. Below is a scan of the article, thanks to C. Meunier.

Source: Exclusive

“One day you’re a bitch, another day you’re a goddess,” said Dolores O’Riordan about the press to MTV Rockumentary in 1996. Apparently, not much has changed — except that now she’s both on the same day. Case in point? The new issue of the Spanish edition “Rolling Stone”.

On one page in the magazine, we have a “Hot Interview” with Dolores, obviously complimentary. See below.

In another section of the magazine, we have a section called “Ojo de Pez”. The article claims that The Cranberries made a pact with Island founder, and “anti-Christ of the industry”, Christ Blackwell, and as a result, Dolores’s two children are “two demons”. And what’s sure to make fans angrier, the paragraph claims that the rumors of Dolores’s anorexia were actually true. This is either a blantent sign of lack of research, or just an intentional attack on the band.

Once you’re finally over all of that, check out another article in the free magazine “MMM”, titled “Analysis from the Heart”.

Source: Cranberries of Prat

What is sure to be non-news to those outside the Maryland-DC region, the venue for the December 8th Christmas radio festival gig has been announced, and tickets are now on sale. The event, Mistletoe Meltdown 2001 is being held at the Baltimore Arena, and includes other major artists including Alanis Morisette, Better than Ezra, Train, and American Hi-Fi. Got tix? They’re on sale now on Ticketmaster, under “Mistletoe Meltdown 2001′′.

Oh yes. I myself (and a friend) will be there. Section 3. Row GG.
Two words. Kick ass.

Source: Exclusive

According to 40 Principales, The Cranberries will appear in Barcelona, Spain on the 29th of this month for the annual “Premios Ondas” (“Wave Awards”). The event, which will take pace at the Palau Nacional de Congresos, will host a massive amount of artists, including Cher, Jennifer Lopez, and La Oreja de Van Gogh. For those in Europe, the ceremony will be broadcasted on the station Telecino.

Source: 40 Principales

A new single for “Analyse” has been released in Italy, including 5 tracks, plus CD-ROM features. And what’s the best part? It’s free.
The 5-track CD is included with the November issue of “Tutto” magazine, with Lenny Kravitz on the cover (see below). The disc also includes the video for “Analyse”, playable on PC. The tracklisting is:

1. Linger (Live) (5:24)
2. I Can’t Be With You (Live) (3:10)
3. Salvation (Live) (2:22)
4. You and Me (Live) (3:36)
5. Analyse (Oceanic Long Version) (5:40)
+ “Analyse” Video CD-ROM

Scans of the magazine, CD cover, CD, and back are below!

Source: Exclusive

A little birdie has just told us that The Cranberries have been invited to play before Pope John Paul II on December 15th. The Vatican hosts a concert every year of prominent musicians every year, each playing one or two songs. The request was said to be an enormous surprise for the band, which they happily accepted. The annual concert is broadcasted prominently on Italian television.

Although the news has been spread throughout several Italian news outlets, we await official confirmation of the news.
Thanks to Electric Blue for the news.

Source: Exclusive

Pollstar has posted a newly-announced date for the upcoming American radio tour, this time for Providence, RI on December 10th at the Dunkin Donuts Civic Center. Tickets for this gig should soon become available via Ticketmaster.

In addition, Pollstar has posted a new article today, cementing the validity of these new dates:

What Are The Holidays Without Cranberries?

The Cranberries will mark the release of their new album with some holiday radio shows in the States. The group’s new album, Wake Up And Smell The Coffee, is just out and they don’t expect to launch a real tour until next year, but the radio gigs should give fans a preview of what’s to come.

The Irish band hasn’t done a proper North American tour since 1999’s amphitheatre outing with Collective Soul. Even last year, the Cranberries were more likely to make headlines for canceling shows than playing them.

In all fairness, the group has forged ahead, defying naysayers and the odds. They first hit the charts and the road in the early ‘90s when grunge ruled and the Cranberries jangly pop hits were an anomaly.

It wasn’t long before rumors began flying that singer Delores O’Riordan was going to leave the band for a solo career. Actually, there was an O’Riordan rumor to fit every occasion: she was anorexic, having a nervous breakdown, or in rehab – depending on the day of the week.

When the Cranberries canceled their 1996 world tour, the multiplatinum-selling group seemed to have reached the end.

“We all went through a bad time, but the hardest time for me was ’95-’96, the ‘anorexia’ time,” the singer recently told The Irish Independent newspaper.

“It wasn’t anorexia. It was serious depression,” she said. “I was just really burnt out from touring. It was just awful because I couldn’t handle being on my own and I couldn’t handle not having a crowd around me and I couldn’t handle not having anything to do. It was really weird and really difficult. I took a while to kind of relax, because we had just been, ‘Go, go, go, go, go,’ for years. Out of school and then just woah!”

Things have slowed down considerably since then for the band. The members have grown up, started families and gained new perspective. They also continued to release new albums and tour, though their efforts were largely ignored in the States.

Then late last year, the Cranberries canceled the last four dates on their world tour. It was understandable, though. O’Riordan was well into her second pregnancy and was advised by her doctor to return home. Her daughter was born in January and the Cranberries were soon in the studio, working on the new album.

In September, the terrorist attacks interrupted a promotional tour of Europe and caused them to yank the video for the first single, “Analyse,” and re-edit it. The clip originally depicted O’Riordan performing on top of a building while planes flew over skyscrapers in the background.

Wake Up And Smell The Coffee hit U.S. stores October 23 and those who buy the album can stream a bonus track off the band’s obsessively updated Web site, www.cranberries.com.

“We wanted to offer our fans something unique for buying this new album,” guitarist Noel Hogan said.

More exclusive material will be added to the site during the next year as the band continues to promote the album.

Source: Pollstar

The official page has updated with Fergal’s response to more fans’ questions, this time with some very newsworthy responses. Firstly, he confirms that the track “Time is Ticking Out” will be the second single, with remixes of the song also planned. The band is considering adding a short acoustic segment to their upcoming tour, as the band had done in early 1995. He also responds to a question (submitted by none other than myself!) regard the two “old songs” recorded for “Wake Up”. The first was “Dying Inside”, written on the “No Need to Argue” Tour in 1994-1995. “Do You Know” was the second, written circa 1997, perhaps at the Metalworks Studios, which spawned “Animal Instinct”, “Shattered”, and “Desperate Andy”. For lots more details, check it out for yourself!

Source: Official Cranberries Webpage

On Tuesday night, Dolores and her husband Don were among the star-studded crowd at the Irish Tatler Awards Ceremony, which was held at Dublin’s Four Season Hotel. At the awards ceremony, Dolores was presented with the Irish Tatler Woman of the Year Award, given for her musical talent and the personal strength to return after the band’s many rotten times.

Other winners from the ceremony included Mary Robinson, former Irish president; Mo Mowland, former Northern Ireland secretary; Mairan Keyes, author; and Marian Finucane, radio presenter.

Source: ShowBiz Ireland

In an article posted on New Music Express, earlier today, Dolores discussed the situation in America (speaking to “The Mirror”). This jeopardizes yesterday’s report that the band will do a December radio tour in the US.

DOLORES ‘LINGER’S OVER US PROBLEM

THE CRANBERRIES frontwoman DOLORES O’RIORDAN has revealed that she fears touring the US following the terrorist attacks on the country.

The Cranberries are a huge draw in the US, a country where they have sold the majority of their 33 million albums. However, O’Riordan now says she feels it would be too dangerous to visit to support new album ‘Wake Up And Smell The Coffee’.

Speaking to The Mirror newspaper today (October 26), O’Riordan says she watched CNN footage of the second ‘plane smashing into the World Trade Center. She added: “It was so shocking because I guess no one ever thought someone would do this to America. I wouldn’t be in a hurry to go over there now. It’s way too dangerous at the moment.”

The diminutive frontwoman added: “We were planning to go on tour next year, but if all hell breaks loose I’m not going anywhere. I’m staying at home with my family.”

Source: New Music Express

LiveDaily has learned that The Cranberries will be returning to the United States in December for a promotional tour of radio festivals. Earlier this month, the band cancelled much of their remaining promotion for the year. Luckily, they are being strong and moving on.

The report confirms that news that the band will in fact play Detroit on Dec. 11th, the final venue in the tour. The current schedule is:

Dec. 3: Boston, MA – TBA (WBMX-FM festival)
Dec. 5: Cleveland, OH – TBA (WQAL-FM festival)
Dec 8: Baltimore, MD TBA (WMMX-FM festival)
Dec 9: Tampa, FL – TBA (WSSR-FM festival)
Dec 10: Providence, RI – TBA (WPRO-FM festival)
Dec 11: Detroit, MI – State Theatre (WKQI-FM’s Jingle Ball 2001 with Jewel, Nelly Furtado and others)

Tickets for the Jingle Ball 2001 have already been long sold out, though tickets are still being given away through contests on WKQI FM. In the meanwhile, I myself will be trying my damnedest to get tickets for the Baltimore show, and will hopefully have a full report if all goes well.

Source: LiveDaily

Last week, Dolores and Fergal appeared on the Dutch channel TMF to pick their favorite music videos and give their own comments on them. Curious to see what they picked? Here’s the list, with their own comments on each:

1. Depeche Mode – “Enjoy the Slience”
2. U2 – “With or Without You”
Dolores: “Very cool clip, one of their best songs — they are also from Ireland, so…”
3. Aerosmith – “Jaded”
Dolores: “Really cool band, Steven Tyler is a really cool guy, his daughter is my age… I like the Victorian style in the video.”
4. REM – “Tongue”
Dolores & Fergal: “We toured with them and we love the mirrorball in the video — they had it also on the tour”
5. Led Zeppelin – “Stairway to Heaven”
Dolores: “It ́s a classic, no one will not like this, I chose it because I ́ve never seen the video — I wanted to see it!”
Fergal: “People thought that when they played it backwards, that there was a hidden message in there.”
Dolores: “I remember that, it was in the 70’s… oh, those 70’s” (smiling at the camera)
6. Coldplay – “Trouble”
7. David Bowie – “Let ́s Dance”
Dolores: “Beautiful video, I really loved his red shoes in this video… Dorothy will be jealous… You know, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz!”

Thanks to Taco Kuik for the news.

Source: Exclusive