ICBWY in Daily Telegraph’s Top 10 Breakup Tunes of All Time

June 23, 2004  |  Comments Off on ICBWY in Daily Telegraph’s Top 10 Breakup Tunes of All Time  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

In the June 2nd issue of The Daily Telegraph, editors for the British newspaper put together their list of the “Top 10 Break-Up Tunes” of all time. The article reads, “Breaking up is hard to do. Or if you’re Eamon, it’s downright blasphemous. We all cope with the end of a relationship differently. Women tend to cry their weight in tears while men tend to drink their weight in alcohol and plan a trip to Bali with the boys. But those of us who are musically inclined are able to vent through song. SLM’s Penelope Cross looks at 10 of the most memorable break-up tracks.”

The Cranberries’ “I Can’t Be With You” got into the list at #10. Here’s what they had to say about the song:

10. I Can’t Be With You – The Cranberries

The songs on the album from which this track was taken were all written after singer Dolores O’Riordan broke up with her first “big love”. As a result, No Need To Argue has hurt written all over it and is a very personal piece of work. Not that it bothers Dolores: “I’m not ashamed of the way I feel, why should I be?” I Can’t Be With You has a slightly faster pace than some of the other album tracks but it’s the singer’s enunciation and emotion that make this song about missing someone so great. It includes lyrics like “Thinking back on how we were/And how we loved so well/ I wanted to be the mother of your child/And now it’s just farewell”.

Leading the list are “Lovesong – Amiel,” “Last Goodbye – Jeff Buckley,” and “Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake” at the 1, 2, and 3 spots, respectively.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

Sony to Release 11 Different Versions of “Music From and Inspired by Spider-Man 2” Worldwide

June 22, 2004  |  Comments Off on Sony to Release 11 Different Versions of “Music From and Inspired by Spider-Man 2” Worldwide  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Zombieguide exclusively reported last October in our interview with Cranberries sound engineer Mike Plotniko that Dolores O’Riordan recorded a song entitled “Black Widow” which was to be included in the “Music From and Inspired by Spider-Man 2” soundtrack this month. Unfortunately, the song didn’t make the final tracklisting for the American version of the soundtrack.

However, Scifi.com today relayed the news from Variety magazine that Sony plans to make the unprecedented move of releasing 11 different versions of the soundtrack throughout the world, each with a di erent tracklisting. Each tracklisting will be tailored to appeal to each region’s audience; which is good news, considering that Dolores O’Riordan’s o ering would be much more appealing to a, say, mainland European audience, than an American one.

So far, the tracklistings for the international versions of “Music From and Inspired by Spider-Man 2” have not been announced. As of yet, there is no o cial confirmation that “Black Widow” will appear for sure, but Zombieguide will of course keep you informed with the latest.

Update 12:22 AM: We just got a chance to read the full article from Daily Variety and it appears that Dolores O’Riordan will not appear on any versions of the soundtrack. The article lists most of the international “bonus tracks,” all of which are by Sony artists. I suppose we’ll have to wait until a future release to hear “Black Widow.”

Thanks to Icicle Melts for the news tip.

Source: Variety via Scifi.com

Jam & Spoon Album to Release Monday

June 18, 2004  |  Comments Off on Jam & Spoon Album to Release Monday  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

The new Jam & Spoon album “Tripomatic Fairtyales 3003”, featuring Dolores O’Riordan on “Mirror Lover,” has been moved back yet again to Monday, June 21st and not June 14th, as previously announced. The album has received many delays since it was first scheduled to release last October. This release date only applies to Germany and surrounding territories, but of course, you can buy it online from your favorite e-tailer (The Cranberries O cial Site should have it available soon).

You can view RealVideo streams of the first two singles below:
[LINKS NO LONGER AVAILABLE]

FullVideoStream – “Set Me Free” (feat. Rea / Reamonn)
FullVideoStream – “Cynical Heart” (feat. Jim Kerr / Simple Minds)

Also, here’s an itinerary of Jam & Spoon’s promotional appearances for the upcoming weeks:
21.6. Bayern 3, Gong München, Fantasy, Radio 7, SWR 3, Chartradio
22.6. SR1, HR3, YOU FM
23.6. Radio NRW, Radio RPR, WDR 1 live (13.00 Uhr LIVE !)
24.6. N-Joy Radio, Radio Hamburg, RSH
25.6. Radio SAW, MDR Jump, Antenne Thüringen
26.6. VIVA, Club Rotation, 22:00 Uhr

May News Highlights

May 30, 2004  |  Comments Off on May News Highlights  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

As one might expect, lots of Cranberries news unfolded this month that we were unfortunately unable to update with (Japan was fantastic, thanks to everyone who’s been asking!). Here are brief highlights from Cranberries news over the past month:

  • NoelHogan.com is now open with a contest to let fans choose the name of Noel’s upcoming solo album. The winner will receive one of Noel’s guitars and a copy of the new album, due out before the end of the year. According to 365 Artists, the likely candidate for the first single is to be a song called “Brighter Sky”. It appears that the album has been mixed by Marius De Vries (who remixed “Analyse” and “Time is Ticking Out”). Noel has also worked with Alexis Smith (“Analyse” and “TITO” remixes) and James Loughrey (Hope of the States, Razorlight). (Source: CranPortal)
  • Dolores’s court case against former nanny Joy Fahy ended with a decisive victory for Dolores. The judge ruled in all counts for the Burtons except on the issue of Joy Fahy’s lost clothing, for which the Burtons must pay approximately $1,500. Fahy, on the other hand, must pay a daunting $300,000 (approx.) in legal fees for the Burtons, far more than what she would have gained had she won the case. Fahy plans to appeal the case.
  • Dolores performed “Pure Love” with Zucchero on May 6. If you haven’t seen it already, you can download a video of the Dolores & Zucchero performance here. The album “Zucchero & Co.” was released this month in Europe and went straight to No. 1 in Italy and Switzerland. Check out Un Po Di Zucchero and the ZG Forums for photos.
  • Dolores is performing again tonight (May 29th) with Zucchero at the Festivalbar concert in Milan, Italy. Once again, the song will be “Pure Love.” More news on this event as it happens.
  • Dolores has put her home, Riversfield Stud, in Co Limerick up for sale. As ZG reported months ago, Dolores and Don are house-shopping in Dublin. Dolores has lived at Riversfield Stud since 1997, and, if sold, this will be the first time in her life that she has not had a home in Limerick. Click here to read an article from the Irish Independent about the features of Dolores’s former home, now on the market with bids in excess of $3 million.
  • According to the Malcom McDowell Tribute Site, Brian Johnson’s Helen of Troy play has not been scrapped and could premiere late 2004. (Thanks cranberry_india.)
  • According to Dance Artist Info, Jam & Spoon’s “Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” featuring Dolores O’Riordan’s “Mirror Lover” is now set to go on sale June 14th. (Thanks cranberry_india.)
  • The CD soundtrack for “EvilEnko” featuring Dolores O’Riordan’s “Angels Go to Heaven” was supposed to go on sale in early May, but no one (even in Italy) has yet to find the soundtrack on sale. The soundtrack is scheduled to include both the original film version and a “full band version” of “Angels Go to Heaven.”
  • According to the World’s End website, Dolores has recorded a new song called “Apple of My Eye” with producer Tim Palmer. No word yet on what the song might be used for. (Thanks forevercran.)

Thanks to everyone at the Zombieguide Forums for keeping up on the news. Zombieguide will now resume regular updates. As always, if you have Cranberries-related news that we don’t have here, email it in to us!

Dolores O’Riordan to Release on Helter Records?

April 7, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dolores O’Riordan to Release on Helter Records?  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

The website for Toronto’s Metalworks Studios has updated with a small bit of information regarding Dolores O’Riordan’s recent lengthy recording sessions there. The website lists a “To Be Announced” project from Dolores to be released on a label called Helter. We at ZG couldn’t find any current label simply by the name of “Helter,” though there are several by the name “Helter Skelter,” the largest of which produces Oasis singles in Europe. It is possible that the label is new or else a name-only label, just as “Black Widow” is listed under the “Timeless Music” label. The website also mentions that engineer Chris Crerar acted as 2nd engineer on the recording. (We guess that Matt Vaughan was the head engineer.)

Dolores spent most of the second half of 2003 in Toronto working at Metalworks on soundtrack projects and also on starting her solo album.

Source: Metalworks Studios

Dolores to Sing “Angels Go to Heaven” for EvilEnko Soundtrack

April 7, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dolores to Sing “Angels Go to Heaven” for EvilEnko Soundtrack  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

We have breaking news today that The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan has recorded and contributed a new song entitled “Angels Go to Heaven” to the upcoming Italian horror movie EvilEnko. The song was written by Dolores and Angelo Badalamenti, composer of the soundtracks for Blue Velvet and Mullholland Drive. The movie, written by breakthrough director David Grieco, will be released in Italy in just a few days on April 16th.

The movie stars Malcom McDowell of A Clockwork Orange fame. Curiously, McDowell is slated to take the role of Zues in Brian Johnson’s play Helen of Troy, to which Dolores is contributing several songs (and possibly take the role of Helen). We’re betting that McDowell introduced her to this project.

A clip of the song “Angels Go to Heaven” can be heard at the end of the trailer for the new movie. Additionally, you can hear a 45-second clip of the new song by visiting EvilEnko.com. Once the page loads, click the right side of the frontal lobe (labelled “lembo di vita”) of the brain that appears. Dolores’s contribution is also noted on the bottom of the movie’s poster, which reads “The song ‘Angels go to Heaven’ (O’Riordan – Badalamenti) is sung by Dolores O’Riordan.”

Huge thanks to Alisha for this news.

If you’ve got any scoops about Dolores O’Riordan’s upcoming solo material,
please send it in to us!

Source: EvilEnko.com

Official Site: “Cranberries Are Still a Unit”

April 1, 2004  |  Comments Off on Official Site: “Cranberries Are Still a Unit”  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Since September, many Cranberries fans have written emails to the Official Cranberries Website in hopes of learning something — anything — about the status of The Cranberries. For months, nearly all of those emails have gone unanswered. Zombieguide reader Jill Smith was one such fan who went proactive by writing to the Official Site and yesterday, to our surprise, received this response:

Great to hear your wife and you are such fans of The Cranberries music. At the moment, the band is just taking some time off after having started working on new material. The Web site is in the process of being redesigned and reorganized. So that is why there has been a lack of updates in the past. Things should be up and running in a couple months and we’ll be keeping it current with news and tour info to help our online fans stay notified. The Cranberries are still a unit.

ZG Forum user Forevercran also received a personal reply today which read:

Thank you for writing in. I’m sorry to hear of your frustration with the lack of information and I hope this doesn’t prevent you from continuing to be a Cranberries fan in the future. A lot has happened in the last few months with the band and there has been much confusion surrounding them. At the press conference from the Sanremo festival, Dolores mentioned that the band was currently taking some time off and that was translated into the band has broken up.

There is no need to worry, all is well in the Cranberries land. They have recorded some new songs and are now taking some time off, they have not broken up. At the moment, the Web site is being redesigning and reorganizing. Once it’s up and running, we’ll be updating it with news and tour info as before, and keep our online fans notified. If you haven’t subscribed to our newsletters yet, you can do so here:http://www.cranberries.com/cb/elists.html.

I hope this cleared things up, and you continue to enjoy the Cranberries music!

So it appears that the new webmastering team at InDIMENSIONS has begun digging into the no doubt massive pile of email, and more such repsonses seem likely.

But more than that, an official site redesign can only be seen as a good sign. The proposition of future news updates about tour info is even more promising.

Source: Exclusive

Dublin Beautiful Night Concert Cancelled, Belfast Continues as Planned

April 1, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dublin Beautiful Night Concert Cancelled, Belfast Continues as Planned  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Concert organizers for the European Union’s grand “Beautiful Night” mega- concert on May 1 regretfully announced yesterday that the Dublin half of the event has been cancelled. The event in Dublin would have required closing certain streets for five days, disrupting business. There are suspicions that the event was also cancelled due to the threat of a terrorist attack. The planned simultaneous concert in Belfast (which ironically is not part of the Republic of Ireland) will go on as planned.

Previously announced artists included Dolores O’Riordan, Van Morrison, U2, Alanis Morisette, and Bob Geldof. No word yet on how the cancellation of the Dublin concert will a ect the artist lineup, if at all.

Source: The Observer

Cranberries Members May Speak at Limerick Music Seminar

March 30, 2004  |  Comments Off on Cranberries Members May Speak at Limerick Music Seminar  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

According to the latest print issue of the Irish music mag Hot Press, members of the Cranberries are “to be confirmed” to speak at a music seminar in Limerick on April 10th targeted at small independent bands.

Hot Press says: “In other live news, Upstairs In Dolan’s — the imaginatively titled new venue in Dolan’s — will be hosting the forthcoming AMC weekender which will bring lots of great acts to the venue, the highlight of which will be a music seminar on the 10th [of April] which will include speakers from Woodstar, The Cranberries (tbc) and Mike Sound from Dolan’s. All info is avaliable on www.theamc.net.”

The seminar will cover basic “do it yourself” topics for indie bands like recording, promoting, and touring. Doors open at 12 noon for the seminar and tickets are only €5.

Also of interest to Cranberries fans, former Cranberry Saw Us singer Niall Quinn will be performing with his band The Pennywhores at Dolan’s on the same day. The Pennywhores are part of a “Vibe for Kurt” Nirvana tribute concert to take place at 8 o’clock that night. Ticket prices are still undetermined. Update 04.01: The Pennywhores will no longer be playing at Dolan’s on April 10th. However, Niall Quinn tells us that he will still be attending the seminar.

Thanks to Des for the info!

Source: Hot Press, Upstairs In Dolan’s

Childsitter Lawsuit Continues; New Evidence Arises Today

March 26, 2004  |  Comments Off on Childsitter Lawsuit Continues; New Evidence Arises Today  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores O’Riordan and husband Don Burton made the front cover of nearly every Irish tabloid today as the second day rolls on in a civil lawsuit brought by former childcare provider Joy Fahy, who was a childsitter for the couple’s son Taylor in June 1999. Fahy is alleging that the couple broke a verbal agreement made by Don Burton for a salary of £500 a week plus £40 for expenses. She is seeking compensation of £10,000, a Jeep that she claims was promised to her, and the return of her personal possessions.

The biggest testimony yesterday by the prosecution was that on a June 28, 1999, a drunken Don Burton took 18-month-old Taylor onto a jetski without a lifejacket. Fahy elsewhere claimed that she was more concerned when Taylor was in the care of his parents than in her own hands.

However, Dolores and Don’s defense, led by Mr Bill Shipsey SC, refuted this claim in today’s cross-examination by proving that Fahy was not in Canada on the day of the alleged jetski incident. Fahy responded by saying that it must have been the next day. The defense then pointed out that Don and Dolores were away for 10 hours that subsequent day, according to Fahy’s own diary. Despite being disproven twice, Fahy still claimed the incident happened. According to RTÉ’s legal a airs editor Mary Wilson, “The couple themselves and Dolores O’Riordan’s mother Eileen, who has always, Shipsey said, been the primary caregiver of the child will also give evidence that this incident, as recounted by Joy Fahy, simply never happened.”

A surprise piece of evidence today from the defense shows that Fahy illegitimately received approximately €3,000 in “dole” unemployment payments from Ireland’s Deptment of Social Welfare while she was working in London for actress Elle MacPherson. A shocked Fahy responded by saying, “Oh my God,” and that she had no idea that she was still receiving payments, since they were deposited directly to her bank account. She acknowledges that she is still “in the process of sorting out her a airs” and that she will have to return the illegitimate payments to the government.

Also today, Fahy broke down in court when testifying that she never got a chance to say goodbye to Taylor Burton, to whom she had grown quite attached. “It stays with her that she wasn’t able to turn around in Canada and say goodbye to the little guy,” commented Wilson.

Fahy told RTÉ News that she became a professional childsitter after an accident in 1994 which halted her career in physical fitness. After a subsequent depression, Fahy said the she had a chance to re-evaluate her life. It was at that time that she became a childcare provider. She has had numerous celebrity clients, including U2’s Larry Mullen, Jr.

Fahy had previously worked for the Burtons in 1997, but claims that it was an unpleasant experience. She returned to working for them in 1999 only after Don Burton promised her “the son, the moon, and the stars.”

The case will be continued on Tuesday.

RTÉ has produced several comprehensive reports yesterday and today which include video footage of both Fahy and the Burtons walking to and from the Four Courts in Dublin. Links are here and screencaptures are below:

Reports:
[MOST OF THE LINKS NO LONGER AVAILABLE]
RTÉ: Nanny to sue Cranberries singer (or click here)
Irish Times: Cranberries singer and her husband sued by ex-nanny RTÉ: O’Riordan is sued by former nanny
RTÉ: O’Riordan is sued by former nanny
RTÉ: O’Riordan nanny speaks of distress (or click here)
RTÉ: Nanny accused of falsely receiving €3,000




Tabloids Pounce on Nanny Lawsuit

March 26, 2004  |  Comments Off on Tabloids Pounce on Nanny Lawsuit  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

This morning’s Irish tabloids featured numerous front-page stories regarding the ongoing lawsuit between former childsitter Joy Faye and Dolores O’Riordan-Burton. The tabloid reports contain many of the more saucy details that national outlets like RTE tactfully omitted. Below are some text versions of articles that appeared today. You can check out some great scans over in the Magazines Gallery that include some very nice color photos of Dolores and Don walking to the High Court in Dublin. Thanks to Des for sending in the scans!

The Mirror

March 26, 2004, Friday
Eire Edition; NEWS; Pg. 4,5
DOLORES HUSBAND TOOK MY PASSPORT .. I WAS SO FRIGHTENED I LOCKED MYSELF IN MY ROOM; NANNY TELLS COURT OF DRINK-FUELLED OUTBURSTS
DECLAN FAHY
DENIAL; Dolores O’Riordan and Donald Burton at court yesterday; FLED IN FEAR; Joy Fahy claims breach of contract
CRANBERRIES rock star Dolores O’Riordan’s husband falsely imprisoned their nanny, a court heard yesterday.
Joy Fahy, 34, claimed she locked herself in her bedroom as she fled in fear from the singer’s Canadian partner Donald Burton.
He roared at her in a drink-fuelled rage after she disagreed with the way the couple’s child Taylor was being treated in Canada in 1999, the court was told.
Ms Fahy is suing the couple for false imprisonment and breach of contract.
She wants EUR12,500, a Cherokee Jeep and a deposit for an apartment because she claims they reneged on an agreement they had.
Among the allegations she outlined to the High Court yesterday were: – CRANBERRIES tour manager Burton refused to return her passport
– SHE barricaded herself in her bedroom in fear of Burton who had been drinking
BURTON was persistently drunk in the afternoons and evenings, and – HE took the couple’s child on a jet ski without a lifejacket.
Ms Fahy travelled to Canada in June 1999 with the couple where she claimed they stayed in an isolated building eight miles from the nearest village.
She claimed the row with O’Riordan and Burton started after she was told to live in the house without a car, which had no food, only an out-of-date tin of pasta.
Ms Fahy told O’Riordan she was unhappy with the situation and the way their baby was being treated.
The nanny, who also worked for U2’s Larry Mullen, said: ” O’Riordan went ballistic. She was screaming and crying.
“She said, ‘My mum is against me, everyone is against me. I’ll do what’s right for my child’.”
Soon after Burton, who had been drinking with friends, came upstairs and challenged Ms Fahy.
She claimed: “He began to shout. There was a lot of cursing.
“He had been drinking. His face was red, his eyes were bloodshot, he clenched his fists.
“He said ‘I decide to hire here. I decide who to fire. You don’t get it’.”
“He said, ‘My wife is Bono, not Larry. You are going home. You are f**king fired. Nobody likes you. You have a problem getting on with people’.”
Ms Fahy alleged she was in her room at this stage and Burton told her: “You’ll get your passport when it suits me.”
She then claimed to have locked herself in her bedroom and put her suitcase against the door.
Ms Fahy’s lawyer said: “She became afraid and distressed and Burton continued to be aggressive and abusive.
“She locked herself in a room in the house and several hours later her passport was returned.”
Ms Fahy, who now works as a nanny for another celebrity, said: ” Burton cooked me breakfast and left it outside my door the next morning. I found it more disturbing that he had done that.”
O’Riordan and Burton, who live at Riverfield Stud in Kilmallock, Co Limerick, strongly deny the claims.
Ms Fahy, of Moyleggan in Co Meath, said she had no bad words to say about O’Riordan’s mother Eileen and that her daughter’s behaviour had been exemplary.
The court heard that when she flew home from Canada to Ireland on July 2, 1999, she cried all the way home.
Ms Fahy has also asked the court for an order to have her personal belongings, which she alleges have been kept by the couple, handed back to her.
She claims to have had a verbal agreement with the couple to employ her in 1999 as a full-time childminder.
Ms Fahy said she was to be paid IREUR500 (pounds 630) a week plus pounds 40 a day expenses when she was travelling with them.
She also said she was to get a new Cherokee Jeep and that they would provide her with facilities for her horse at their stud farm along with accommodation.
Ms Fahy claimed she was o ered the job because her work as a nanny to the children of other celebrities had been commended and she started work on June 1, 1999.
But she alleged problems began straight away.
She had to buy her own meals, had no mobile phone and claimed Burton took her passport and tried to get her to drink.
The court heard he became infuriated when she refused and he was constantly drinking in the afternoons and evenings. Mr Bill Shipsey SC, for O’Riordan and Burton, said they disputed the alleged terms of the contract under which Ms Fahy was employed.
They would be contending she had decided to leave her employment and had let the defendants down.
It would be the defence case that Ms Fahy “walked out”.
Ms Fahy’s lawyer Mr Richard Keane SC, said she was a maternity nurse who had been involved in looking after children from an early age.
The court heard she had worked for some famous people in the rock music industry.
Mr Keane said O’Riordan and Burton had asked her to come and work for them at a time she was involved with another high profile family in Dublin and was much in demand by celebrities because of her reputation.
He added she was approached by Burton in June 1997 and her experience of working for him then was very unsatisfactory.
As a result she terminated her employment and returned to Ireland to resume employment with another high profile employer in 1998.
On February 27, 1998, Ms Fahy was contacted by Burton again to look after their baby.
The court heard she thought it was a bit of a joke after what had happened before and refused.
Mr Keane said Burton promised her the “sun, moon and the stars” and o ered her a new BMW. Ms Fahy replied she would like a jeep.
He added Burton had asked her what she was being paid and had said no matter what it was, he would beat it.
On March 12, 1998, Ms Fahy was in New York when she received four phone calls from Burton and she alleged he was drunk.
Mr Keane told the court his client felt very vulnerable when dealing with Burton and he had tried to lure her from her employment.
He claimed that on March 22, 1998, Burton again called Ms Fahy and o ered her a new Jeep, pounds 500, a 50-hour working week and pounds 40 per day while on tour. Burton also o ered to pay the insurance and tax on the vehicle.
He told Ms Fahy O’Riordan was about to embark on a world tour.
Ms Fahy decided the o er was too good to reject but was concerned because of what had occurred previously and decided to get safeguards built in to the deal.
She claimed that if the contract was terminated, she was to receive a pounds 10,000 (EUR13,000) lump sum, a new Jeep and a deposit for the rent of a house or apartment.
The case continues today.

The Irish Times

March 26, 2004
Singer’s husband was aggressive, says ex-nanny By MARY CAROLAN
A woman who worked as a childminder for the Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan-Burton and her husband, Donald Burton, has brought High Court proceedings against the couple.
Ms Joy Fahy, who previously also worked as a childminder for U2 drummer Larry Mullen, is suing the Burtons, who live at Riverfield Stud, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, claiming breach of contract and false imprisonment arising from her employment with the couple as childminder for their son from June 1999.
Ms Fahy said she had worked with the couple previously in 1997 but left because problems arose. She later agreed to return to work for them in June 1999 after being o ered the “sun, moon and stars” by Mr Burton.
However, she claims, problems arose from the start of her employment in June 1999, including problems while the couple were touring Canada and the US. She claims she barricaded herself in a bedroom on one occasion because of Mr Burton’s aggressive behaviour, and further alleges he was perpetually drunk in the afternoons and evenings.
Ms Fahy (34) of Moyleggan, Batterstown, Co Meath, is seeking an order that personal belongings including designer clothing such as Dolce & Gabbana jackets, which she alleges have been retained by the Burtons, be returned to her. She is also looking for payment of IR£ 10,000 (E12,700), which she says was agreed in the event of termination of her verbal contract, and an order requiring the Burtons to provide her with a Cherokee jeep and a deposit for an apartment.
Mr Bill Shipsey SC, for the defendants, said they were vehemently disputing the alleged terms of the contract under which Ms Fahy was employed. They would be contending that Ms Fahy had let the defendants down and “walked out” on them.
Ms Fahy alleges she was to be paid IR£ 500 (E635) weekly plus IR£ 40 (E50) per day in expenses when she was travelling with the Burtons. She also claims she was to be provided with a new Cherokee jeep, facilities for her horse at the couple’s stud and accommodation near their home.
Mr Richard Keane SC, for Ms Fahy, told the High Court there was no criticism of the O’Riordan family, and Ms Fahy had received great support from Ms Eileen O’Riordan, the singer’s mother.
Singer’s husband was aggressive, says ex-nanny: page 4
During a trip to Canada in 1999 with Cranberries singer Dolores O’Riordan and her husband Don Burton, Mr Burton’s behaviour deteriorated, he seemed to be drinking daily and was quite aggressive, the couple’s former childminder told the High Court in Dublin.
Ms Joy Fahy said they were accompanied to Canada by Dolores’s mother, Ms Eileen O’Riordan, and stayed in a house in a remote area by a lake.
Ms Fahy said Mr Burton drank at all times of the day with friends, played loud music and played with his “toys”. The couple brought their child with them on quad-cycles and jet-skis, which was not safe or normal, she added.
The former childminder has taken a High Court action against the couple alleging breach of contract and false imprisonment.
Mr Burton would say absurd things, Ms Fahy said. On one occasion, when she and he had a row, he kept screeching, “You don’t get it. My wife is Bono. She is not Larry.”
She said the baby’s sleeping arrangements became a big issue and on one occasion Dolores handed her the sleeping child and asked that it be given a warm bath. Ms Fahy said she was unhappy about doing this and the child became upset and wanted to go back to sleep. Dolores was upset and said the child would be up early the next morning.
Ms Fahy said she was worried that this was not a normal thing to do and told Ms Eileen O’Riordan, who said, “Don’t tell me she is doing that again.”
Ms Fahy said she complained about being left on her own with the child in a remote area. She had been told that the Burtons and Eileen O’Riordan would be returning to Ireland.
At one stage Dolores went “ballistic” and started to screech that “Mother is against me. Everybody is against me.” She said she knew what was best for her baby and took it from the pram and ran towards the lake. Mr Burton, who had been downstairs drinking with friends, came up and got aggressive, she said. He said, “You are going home. You’re f***ing fired and you know jack-shit about horses.”
He told her he hired and fired and they (Dolores and he) decided whether she could go or stay. He added that she (Ms Fahy) had a problem getting on with people and from the start had “this haughty attitude”. She said he told her she was fired, and would get her passport when he felt she should.
Ms Fahy said she locked herself in her bedroom by putting a suitcase to the door. Eileen O’Riordan came and asked how she was, and said not to come downstairs because Mr Burton was very angry. Later, when he had calmed down, he came to her room and threw her passport across the room.
When Ms Fahy came back to Ireland with Eileen O’Riordan, she learned she was not to be allowed into the house at Kilmallock. It took three weeks to get her belongings in refuse sacks.
Earlier, she said she worked with the couple first in 1997.
When in Canada with them, the first few days were okay but there was never any structure to the day and she did not know when she was o or on. It was strange and they were in an isolated house which was not well equipped for a new baby. She was in a very dark and small bedroom.
During a trip to New York, Mr Burton told her she could go home to Ireland as she was not needed. She was upset. All her belongings were in Canada and she had only gone to New York on vacation. She had no money and no mobile phone. She had sold her car and given up her apartment. She arrived back in Ireland with nothing, and stayed with friends. She had not been paid and had no money. Eventually a friend brought home her belongings from Canada.
After about a month, money was lodged to her bank account in Ireland. She was later approached by the family of Anne Acheson (wife of U2 star Larry Mullen) and started work with them in 1998. That was a fantastic job and the family and children were fantastic.
In February 1999, she got a call from Mr Burton asking her to work for him again. Ms Fahy said she did not entertain the idea. He later o ered her perks, such as a lump sum of £ 10,000 on termination and assured her she would have a deposit on an apartment. Her remuneration was to be £ 500 net and she would work general nanny’s hours, 50 hours a week.
It was an oral contract even though it was her intention to have it in writing. She never got a written contract despite asking about it. The hearing continues.

Irish Independent

Pop star’s lifestyle laid bare in court as nanny sues Helen Bruce
26 March 2004
THE extraordinary lifestyle of a pop star’s family was revealed in the High Court yesterday when Dolores O’Riordan’s former nanny began a case for false imprisonment and breach of contract against the Cranberries’ singer and her husband Donald Burton.
Joy Fahy is also seeking the return of personal belongings from Dolores and Donald Burton which she claims they are holding. She wants the equivalent of IR£10,000 a Cherokee Jeep and a deposit for an apartment, all of which she says she is owed.
Dolores and her husband were in the court to hear tales of lavish lifestyles, neglected horses, rejected jeeps and ejected designer clothing.
Ms Fahy (34), from Batterstown, Co Meath, said problems arose from the start, when she joined the Burtons on a verbal contract.
The nanny, who previously worked for Larry Mullen from U2, said Mr Burton had promised her the “sun, moon and the stars”, and had pledged to beat any salary she was already on. She was asked to begin work by flying out to the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles in May 1999, during a tour by the Cranberries. She then moved with the couple’s 18-month-old child, referred to in court as Baby T, to Trump Towers in New York.
Disputes over hotel bills followed, as well as over her salary, the second hand jeep givento Ms Fahy, her days o , the short notice given to her of travel plans and the care of her horse.
The childminder was not given a mobile phone, and said Mr Burton frequently tried to get her to drink alcohol with him.
The final row occurred in Canada, when Ms Fahy alleged Mr Burton flew into a rage and was aggressive and abusive. He withheld her passport, and she barricaded herself into her bedroom, leaning a suitcase against the door, until it was returned. During the row,Mr Burton yelled: “You don’t get it, do you. My wife is Bono, she’s not Larry, she’s Bono.”
Ms Fahy claimed that when she returned to Ireland, she was unable to collect her belongings. Some were returned in black bin bags, she said, and many were damaged or destroyed.
Helen Bruce

More Bad News: Cranberries Lost €1.3 Million During 2002

March 15, 2004  |  Comments Off on More Bad News: Cranberries Lost €1.3 Million During 2002  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

According to articles published this weekend by the Irish tabloids The Mirror (Saturday) and the Sunday Independent (Sunday), The Cranberries lost a whopping €1.3 million of their own funds during the year 2002. This information comes from the recently-filed financial reports for their self- owned company, Curtain Call Limited.

The filed accounts show that Curtain Call began the year with a surplus budget of €647,500 and ended with a deficit of €673,500. Directors’ fees for the year were €12,000 and €818,431 was paid for what’s denoted as “other services.” Perhaps the most costly expense was the €1.2 million in taxes that hit the company for the year.

The Sunday Independent is quick to point out that despite the harsh year, The Cranberries still have plenty to fall back on; the band is estimated to be worth around €50 million.

In usual tabloid style, both papers quote anonymous sources with dubious credibility. A “music insider” for the Sunday Independent said, “The year 2002 was a hard one for the Cranberries. They were still getting back on their feet after the album Wake Up and Smell the Coffee, which was slated by the critics and did not do well sales-wise.” The Mirror quotes a source “close to the band” as saying, “The tax was on their profits of the year 2002 in which they performed around the world and released new material. It’s a big bill but they can afford it because they made so much money in the early 90s.”

This news compares with an article published last year by The Sunday Tribune which shows hefty touring costs cutting into the band’s profit in 2000 and 2001.

The Sunday Independent tried to call the Curtain Call offices for comment on the 2002 loss but received no response.

Sources: The Mirror, Sunday Independent

Dolores to Appear at Zucchero Benefit Concert

March 12, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dolores to Appear at Zucchero Benefit Concert  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

As you might have guessed, announcements of Dolores O’Riordan solo performances have been popping up since her first solo appearance at Sanremo last weekend. Today, the o cial Zucchero newsletter confirms that she will appear at a Zucchero album launch charity concert at the Royal Albert Hall on May 6th. Also, the newsletter confirmed that Zucchero’s duets album, tentatively titled “Made of Stars,” will be out on May 14th. Last year, Dolores recorded a duet of Zucchero’s song “Puro Amore” which will appear on the album.

From the Zucchero newsletter: “Zucchero has announced details of a unique one-night concert event at the Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 6th May 2004. The Royal Albert Hall show will celebrate the release of Zucchero’s new album with many guest stars, Italian and international, which again shows that Zucchero’s music has no boundaries. This unique concert is a benefit in aid of the United Nations UNHCR Refugee Fund. It is therefore appropriate that it will reunite Zucchero with many guests that feature on the new album that will be realeased on May 14th. Artists so far confirmed to appear include, Solomon Burke, Ronan Keating, Cheb Mami, Brian May, Mousse T, Luciano Pavarotti , Dolores O’Riordan of the Cranberries, Paul Young and more will be added to this very special evening.

“ZUCCHERO says: During all these years I had the luck and the joy to meet and to collaborate with many great artists, with whom I shared stages and recording studios. I’ve always kept jealously these “pearls” in the drawer as I wanted to wait for the right time to get them out. Now, like the good wine, time is ripe to better taste this album, with an unique show together with my friends at the Royal Albert Hall on May 6th, 2004. With a lot of esteem, artistic and human respect. Your Italian cousin “with the hat”. Thanks – Lots of love Zucchero”

Tickets are available from BookingsDirect.com.

Source: Zucchero.it

Sanremo Press Conference Transcript

March 9, 2004  |  Comments Off on Sanremo Press Conference Transcript  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Virgilio Musica has published a near-complete transcript of Dolores O’Riordan’s press conference at the Sanremo Festival last Friday.

Several Italian press outlets have noted some of Dolores’s contradictions during the press conference — at one point, she says there will not be another Cranberries album, yet at the end of the conference muses that the band may regroup in the future.

Here is the transcript. Thanks to forevercran for help with the translation.

You played “Ave Maria” some years ago at Pavarotti and Friends, didn’t you?
Dolores O’Riordan: I still remember that evening, because there I met Lady Diana, one of the best people I’ve ever met. I was the only female artist at that concert so it was logical that we got together…
What do you think about The Passion [of the Christ]? Who asked you to collaborate on it?
Dolores O’Riordan: [It was] during the production of the movie, and I said yes immediately and willingly. I like the subject very much, it’s a real true film even though the risk of talking about religion is very high.
Did you see the movie?
Dolores O’Riordan: No, becouse in Toronto, where I now live, tickets sold out in a very short time. I wasn’t even sure that my “Ave Maria” was on the soundtrack but than I recived a call from a person in the record industry that said the song is on it.
How do you judge yourself as a musician?
Dolores O’Riordan:I always follow my spiritual evolution, but musically I haven’t changed a lot. I play with the piano to get some inspiration and then I decide to join in with the other instruments.
Do you write always in Limerick, sorrounded by the country?
Dolores O’Riordan: No, now I live in Canada, as I have just said… but the relationship with the country hasn’t changed. I couldn’t live in the city. I like to walk on the nature and to see some wolves or bears. One time a deer came to me to say hallo… it was a great experience!
Are you working on something?
Dolores O’Riordan: Yes I think I will relase a solo album in 2005. Or maybe 2006 at the latest. It’s because of my children. I want to spend all my time with them. One is 7 years old, I can’t leave him alone as I travel around the world, not even for a few weeks.
Sorry, and the new Cranberries album?
Dolores O’Riordan: What new album? I don’t think we’ll be putting out another disc as The Cranberries. We were together 13 years and now our position in the music industry doesn’t make sense… even if our relationship is still good.
You are explaining a decision that will distress thousand and thousands of fans all over the world, did you think enough about that?
Dolores O’Riordan: Come on! It wasn’t a fatal attraction; It was just a group… the problem was that it wasn’t exciting anymore, it was just a routine. To be honest the lads wasn’t very happy when I told them the decision of leaving the band to go overseas. But than they pondered and now they are happy this way.
What a pity. Now just U2 remain to represent Ireland in the music world.
Dolores O’Riordan: The Cranberries have never been U2 and I wanted to get away, not to be tied to a group for my whole life and have a lot of regrets until the day I die.
Are you afraid about the industry exploitation at this point? A live album after the band split up, a B-sides CD, the usual routine?
Dolores O’Riordan: I don’t think so, just because it’s not a definitive break up. It isn’t out of the question that sooner or later we’ll be back together. I mean, life is a journey and sooner or later we all meet back on the same road, no?

Source: Virgilio Musica

More Photos from Sanremo

March 7, 2004  |  Comments Off on More Photos from Sanremo  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

More media is coming in from Dolores O’Riordan’s first solo performance yesterday at the Sanremo Festival 2004.

The first three photos below are from Reuters. The first is taken from Friday’s press conference, while the next two were taken during her performance on stage late last night (1:00 local time).

Photo 4 is from Corriere della Sera (thanks Little_Dolores).

The next four photos are from Cranberries fan Mara (Irishsoul), who had the supreme good fortune of meeting Dolores at the hotel where she was staying. Check out her post in the forums to read Irishsoul’s interesting storywhich includes a cryptic encounter with Cranberries backup singer and guitarist Steve DiMarchi. Is Steve working with Dolores on her solo material? Makes you wonder…

The last photo is from Virgilio Musica, and appears to be taken at the same time as the photo from Corriere della Sera but at a different angle. If you have found more news or photos from the Sanremo festival, please send them to us!



Dolores Confirms Cranberries Break Up

March 5, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dolores Confirms Cranberries Break Up  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

In a press conference in Sanremo, Italy, today at 17:30 local time, singer Dolores O’Riordan confirmed that The Cranberries have split for the foreseeable future.

When asked if The Cranberries will get back together, her frank response was, “I don’t think so, perhaps in ten years.”

She continued, “We have worked together for 13 years and now we have closed a circle. Maybe a new Cranberries album will never come out. Maybe we’ll return together in 10 years, who knows? Nothing lasts forever. The reason of this decision is that my main priority are my children. The band used to take away too much time from my life. The Cranberries were becoming only a routine. I need new things like a solo album. The album will come out in 2005 0r 2006.”

“It was all becoming a routine and I think a solo record is the only way for me to release something. At first, the boys were unhappy [with the decision]. Then I spoke to Noel Hogan and he told me that was happy, because now he has a way to discover new musical paths. We were always saying that if a day comes when it was no longer exciting or fun, we would stop. And so we have.”

“There will be plenty of variation from what I’ve done before. I am continuing my musical evolution, but not chaning my core spirit, and I’m still the same person, frankly. The songs that I am writing now are all born out of the piano, as it happened for the song ‘Pretty Eyes.’ It’ll be an album with a more modern and contemporary sound.”

“I had known Lady Diana, one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met. While we were at dinner together, her humanity struck me, very rare for people of her kind. The song [Ave Maria] will be included on the soundtrack for Mel Gibson’s ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ Last week I tried to see it in Toronto. Even though there were five showings, I couldn’t. There were too many people. But I’ve read a lot about this movie. I know that it has raised many controversies, but it’s reasonable considering the topics that it touches. I allowed them to put it in the film, despite the controversey, because it respects the contents of the Bible from the point of view of a Catholic.”

Dolores also revealed what Mel Gibson himself thought of her song. According to the article on Rockol, Gibson said of the song, “It was as if Dolores herself knelt down and prayed.”

Below is a photo of Dolores from the press conference, her first public appearance in months and Dolores’s first press conference since the day of September 17th, 2003.

Zombieguide will have more news on Dolores’s appearance at Sanremo 2004 as Saturday approaches. Thanks to many, many people for help with this important news piece.

Sources: Rockol News, Yahoo News

Two Cranberries Articles in Italy’s “Tutto”

March 3, 2004  |  Comments Off on Two Cranberries Articles in Italy’s “Tutto”  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The March issue of the Italian magazine “Tutto Musica” carries two articles about The Cranberries, though neither carry any new information.

The first article is one called called: “Dossier: Music and Drugs Special: But What Do the Songs Say?” According to Tutto, there is a kind of “drug discrimination” going on in music with one type pitted against another: “The topic of drugs has been drawn in music in multiple ways; hardly ever are there exaltations of their use, but rather descriptions of the effects. Of course, heroin is nearly always associated with death, but not marijuana. You read and judge.”

The article then examines the lyrics of “Salvation” in English and Italian. Under a circa 1996 photo of Dolores, the magazine states, “Dolores had written it after a long phase of depression. In the photo, she provacatively extends her untouched arms.”

In another section of the magazine, one rather confused fan wants to knonw the same thing that everyone else does: What’s going on with The Cranberries? Unfortunately, Tutto can’t say much more than we can, but nevertheless, here it is:

QUESTION: I’m a big Cranberries fan and I’m looking forward to hearing their next album. Do you know anything about?

ANSWER: From what we can see on the official website of Dolores O’Riordan’s band, the band is working on several projects, but no mention of a new recording. Most likely Dolores will release a solo work (perhaps a soundtrack, expected for this spring [Songs Inspired By The Passion of the Christ]) and so will Noel Hogan. The Cranberries have anyway denied about their breaking-up.

To check out scans of the new issue of Tutto, head over to the Magazines Gallery.

Thanks to Eva and Lorenzo for the scans and info.

Source: Exclusive

“Music Inspired by The Passion of the Christ” Status Update

February 17, 2004  |  Comments Off on “Music Inspired by The Passion of the Christ” Status Update  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Days ago, the o cial website for Christian artist David Hodges noted that the planned multi-artist “Music Inspired by The Passion of the Christ” had been cancelled. Thankfully, that notice has been changed, but only to to say “the status of the album is still unknown.” The sentence after it (“However even if the CD is finally scrapped, the song will still be included on the Trading Yesterday CD!”) still leaves much uncertainty as to the album’s status.

Earlier tonight, Little Rock, AR-based TV station KATV broadcasted a new interview with David Hodges and fellow former Evanescence co-founder Ben Moody. Hodges and Moody worked together on the song “Only Human, Only God,” which is the song slated for the Passion’s multi-artist soundtrack. When asked about their involvement with “The Passion of the Christ,” Ben Moody told the station, “They were toying with the idea of doing a Songs Inspired By and they said if you want to write something, please do, because we’d love to have you be a part [of the production]. As a skeptic, I was very curious as to what Mel Gibson’s intentions were… I was wanting to know where he came from. But he came out and talked to us for about an hour and I really felt that he was genuine in what he was doing.” Neither Hodges nor Moody gave any indication to the soundtrack’s status. (Big thanks to Brad for the heads-up on this piece.)

In more surprising related news, MTV revealed last week that Creed singer Scott Stapp has written not one but four songs for “The Passion of the Christ’s” multi-artist soundtrack. However, as of last week, Stapp was still in negotiations with his label to hand over the rights of at least one track to Gibson. This news might suggest that the album is still forthcoming, but will only appear later than we anticipated — but that is only our speculation.

We’ll have more on the “Music Inspired by The Passion of the Christ” album as it happens.

Partial Sources: David Hodges O cial Site, MTV.com

Update: TAG Website is an “Illustration” Only

February 11, 2004  |  Comments Off on Update: TAG Website is an “Illustration” Only  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Zombieguide received an email today regarding yesterday’s news about the newly-formed company The Artist Group International. Unfortunately, the parts of the website that were online yesterday served only as an “illustration,” we were told, and that information we reported from it below is “not necessarily final or accurate.” That is, none of the people below are confirmed to be involved with the company, rather they are listed for illustrative purposes only.

We also asked if any members of The Cranberries (particuarly Noel Hogan) have any current relationship with Mr. Kovac and The Artist Group. To that question, a representative responded, “Mr. Kovac has business and personal relationships with the parties you mention and many others, however, those relationships remain private.”

Since yesterday, the TAG site was updated to remove all of the tentative information.

Former Cranberries manager Lewis Kovac has established a new artist management agency called The Artist Group International. The new agency is running out of the same building as The Cranberries’ self-owned management company, Curtain Call, Ltd.

When The Cranberries announced their haitus last September, their press release mentioned that Lewis Kovac was preparing to establish a new company, although no details were available at the time.

The website domain was registered last September but didn’t go online until sometime within the past few weeks.

The Artist Group’s physical address is on O’Connell Street in Limerick, the same office space used by The Cranberries’ self-owned business ventures Curtain Call Limited and Timeless Music Limited.

While The Cranberries as a unit no longer have a professional relationship with Kovac, recent Irish press reports indicate that the lads continue to work with him. Noel was photographed together with Kovac in Limerick’s Trinity Rooms in November. One Hot Press article claims that Noel, Mike, and Fergal may be working together with Kovac on material without Dolores.

The Artist Group already has a few clients lined up, French-grown bandMétisse being one of them.

Source: The Artist Group International

Passion of The Christ Multi-Artist Soundtrack Scrapped?

February 11, 2004  |  Comments Off on Passion of The Christ Multi-Artist Soundtrack Scrapped?  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

The official site for David Hodges, Christian artist and Evanescence co- founder, reveals some disturbing news. Hodges, like Dolores O’Riordan, had written a song specifically for the upcoming film “Passion of The Christ” only to now have that soundtrack scrapped without warning.

Avril Lavinge, David Hodges and David Moody, another Evanescence co- founder, travelled to LA to meet with Mel Gibson and discuss plans to write material for the movie. Beyonce Knowles was also rumored to be contributing to the soundtrack.

Weeks ago, Billboard reported that a multi-artist soundtrack of music inspired by “The Passion of the Christ” was being finalized. However, given the lack of updates on that subject and this fresh update from David Hodges’s page makes for a gloomy outlook.

In related news, you may recall that Lisa Gerrad was originally lined up to write the score to “The Passion of the Christ.” In fact, she had completed the entire score. In a shocking revelation, Mel Gibson dumped Gerrad’s entire completed score in favor of John Debney, according to Pitchfork Media.

With the movie less than 2 weeks away for American theaters, there is still no news regarding Dolores O’Riordan’s musical contribution. Zombieguide will have more updates on this topic as they occur.

Source: David Hodges Official Website

“Linger” on Upcoming Greatest Irish Bands Compiliaton

February 3, 2004  |  Comments Off on “Linger” on Upcoming Greatest Irish Bands Compiliaton  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The Cranberries’ classic “Linger” is being included in a new CD compilation entitled “Greatest Irish Bands” due for release on February 24th in the US, just in time for the St. Patrick’s season.

The CD, out on Hip-O/UTV Records, has done an impressive job of collecting all of the biggest Irish artists, including U2, Sinéad O’Connor, The Corrs, Thin Lizzy, etc. The CD includes a Bonus DVD with the short film Sightings of Bono. According to the press release, “Bono is also part of Sightings Of Bono, a seven-minute film shot in Dublin in 2000 about a girl who sees the U2 lead singer everywhere until she eventually meets him in the shop where she works. The short was seen in a few theaters and on the Internet but has never been released elsewhere until now.”

Tracklisting:
1. U2 – Where The Streets Have No Name
2. SINÉAD O’CONNOR – Nothing Compares 2 U
3. THIN LIZZY – Whiskey In The Jar
4. BOOMTOWN RATS – I Don’t Like Mondays
5. CLANNAD (WITH BONO) – In A Lifetime
6. THE POGUES – Fairytale Of New York
7. STIFF LITTLE FINGERS – Alternative Ulster
8. RORY GALLAGHER – Tattooed Lady
9. THE CRANBERRIES – Linger
10. THE CORRS – Breathless
11. HOTHOUSE FLOWERS – Don’t Go
12. THE UNDERTONES – Teenage Kicks
13. VAN MORRISON – Brown Eyed Girl

Nationwide promotion of the CD and DVD are expected; you can download the sales sheet sent to retailers here to read about upcoming promotion for the CD. High-resolution cover art is below.

Thanks to Kama and several others for the tip.

Source: Universal Music

New Dolores Interview in Ireland’s “Women’s Way”

January 28, 2004  |  Comments Off on New Dolores Interview in Ireland’s “Women’s Way”  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

It appears that The Irish Daily Star’s recent quote from Dolores was gleaned from a new interview that appears in the Irish weekly magazine “Women’s Way.”

The January 18th issue of the News of the World newspaper has also republished several bits from the interview; The News of the World’s article can be read below.

If any of our Irish visitors can get a copy of the new “Woman’s Way,” please email us! (And if you can buy me a copy of the new interview, let me know!)

MUSIC CHICK FINDS A ROCK

BYLINE: Nick Bramhill
LIFE on the Rock ‘n’ Roll road isn’t all its crack-ed up to be, according to former Cranberries star Dolores O’Riordan.
She believes it can lead to loneliness, heartbreak and drugs.
And now Dolores has shocked fans by ditching her rebellious rock-chick image for family life.
The Limerick-born singer told Woman’s Way magazine: “The hardest thing before I married was going home, because there was nothing to go home to.
“I realised all the money in the world wasn’t going to buy me love and I got to a point when I needed real love – and real people.”
That’s when she married Canadian Don Burton and started a family. Now she says all she wants to do is watch her two children grow up.
Split
But the former church organist said she NEVER got into drugs in her 13-year career.
“Drugs have touched me insofar as I’ve seen how much damage they can do.
“Pressure is always there and people need an escape from it, but drugs are too dangerous.”
Dolores has temporarily split from The Cranberries to concentrate on solo projects at her second home in Toronto, Canada.
But she insists she’s just as hooked on the music business, as she was when The Cranberries first burst on to the scene in 1990.
“We were together for 13 years and we felt it was time for a much needed break,” she explained.
“But when I’m 40, I want to be up on stage just like Tina Turner – me in my stilletos.”

Source: News of the World

Dolores: I Wanna Be a Rockin’ 40-Year-Old Mum!

January 23, 2004  |  Comments Off on Dolores: I Wanna Be a Rockin’ 40-Year-Old Mum!  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

In a short new interview published in yesterday’s (January 22nd) issue of the Irish Daily Star, Dolores confirms that she intends to continue her career long into the future.

She tells The Irish Star, “My personal ambition is to see my two kids grow up healthy and intelligent, happy and proud of me. And maybe one day standing in the audience at a gig shouting up at me to rock my socks o . When I’m 40 I want to be up on stage like Tina Turner — me in my stilettos!”

In the brief article, Dolores relates at how much of an influencer her mother has been in her life, and how much of a lifesaver The Cranberries’ 1996 break was.

The article also carries a new photo of Dolores taken at the Leonard Sexton exhibition this past November, although we don’t yet know if it’s the same one that The Star published on November 27th.

We will try our best to get a scan of the article and photo available. Huge thanks to Kiao for sending us the transcription. The full article is below:

I’LL BE A ROCKIN 40-YEAR-OLD MUM!

“Dolores to grow old on stage”
Cranberries star Dolores O’Riordan says her ambition is to be back on stage by the age of 40.
The mother of two who is living in Toronto with husband Don Burton says she wants to see her children to grow up proud of her — and to see her perform.
“My personal ambition is to see my two kids grow up healthy and intelligent, happy and proud of me. And maybe one day standing in the audience at a gig shouting up at me to rock my socks o .”
“When I’m 40 I want to be up on stage like Tina Turner — me in my stilettos!”
The star says The Cranberries have temporarily split up as she wants to be a full time mum.
“It was getting predictable and lacking in challenge — it’s time to experiment,” said Dolores.
She says that has her mum Eileen to thank for keeping her feet firmly on the ground.
“She taught me from childhood that there was no one in the world quite like me, and that whatever i wanted to do with my life, I absolutely could.”
O’Riordan says she reckons she wouldn’t have survived had she not taken a break in the mid 1990’s.
“Basically what I wanted was a career break, but a lot of people around me didn’t want to hear that.”

Source: Irish Daily Star

Illawarra Mercury: “Zombie” Best Song of Summer 1994

January 17, 2004  |  Comments Off on Illawarra Mercury: “Zombie” Best Song of Summer 1994  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

In their January 9th issue, editors of the Australian newspaper “Illawarra Mercury” compiled a list of the best songs of summer from the past 10 years, and The Cranberries’ are at the top of their list for the 1994-1995 season. In order to be considered, all songs on the list had to spend time at #1 on the Australian charts.

According to the paper, “Zombie” is one example of an “upbeat, party song that wedges itself so far into your head nothing short of a lobotomy is going to get it out… That song that is always being played in the car radio; the one that you’re singing in your head and you don’t even know how it got there. In fact, you didn’t even know you knew the words.”

“In the hottest months of the year we were listening to Dolores O’Riordan bang on about ‘their tanks and their bombs and their bombs and their gons’, Okay, the last word was actually ‘guns’, but her accent twisted it into ‘gons’. A serious song about the conflict in their Northern Ireland homeland, it might have skated under our… radar if it weren’t for the really cool grinding guitar that runs through the song. Released during the tail-end of grunge, it was a guitar sound we were used to.”

Here’s the full list of “Best Songs of Summer” that the editors picked for the past 10 years:

Other notable contenders of the past 10 years mentioned are No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” and Oasis’s “Wonderwall.”

Source: Illawarra Mercury

CeDe.ch Auctions 7 Cranberries Gold Awards for Charity

January 17, 2004  |  Comments Off on CeDe.ch Auctions 7 Cranberries Gold Awards for Charity  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Cede.ch, Sweden’s largest online CD, DVD, and game vendor, is teaming up with Universal Music Sweden to auction a series of gold and platinum award plaques for charity.

CeDe manager Eric Bachmann told German newspaper Blick,”Right now we have a minimum bid for each item. For Sting’s double platinum that includes an original autograph, we’ve set it at 1200 CHF ($960 US)… [there are] seven gold disks from the Cranberries. In addition platinum and gold from Sheryl Crow… all between 100 CFH ($80) and 300 CHF ($230).” Other Universal artists in the auction include Zucchero, The Cure, Andrea Bocelli, Texas, Metallica, and Tears for Fears.

The seven gold awards from The Cranberries are all in recognition of sales of 20,000 in Sweden for “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.” The seven plaques were presented to MCA, UMI International, Mike Hogan, Noel Hogan, Fergal Lawler, Jay Boberg (MCA President), and Lewis Kovac (former Cranberries manager). Currently, all seven stand at around 300 CHF, or about $230 US. The auctions end on January 22nd and you must be registered to bid.

The three charities receiving the proceeds from the auction are Terre des Hommes (Land of the People), Stiftung der Elternvereinigung krebskranker Kinder (Fund for Parents of Children with Cancer), and Susy Utzinger Stiftung für Tierschutz (Susy Utzinger Fund for Animal Protection).

Click the golden flash banner on the left side of Cede.ch to access the auction site.







Zucchero to Unveil Duet Songs on Saturday

January 16, 2004  |  Comments Off on Zucchero to Unveil Duet Songs on Saturday  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

As we noted previously, Italian blues man Zucchero is holding a special “fan summit” of sorts this coming Saturday, inviting his O cial Fanclub to meet him in Polesella, Italy to ask questions and, it has now been confirmed, to get a sneak peek at his upcoming duets album.

Lucky Zucchero fans who attend the meeting will likely be the first to hear the completed version of Dolores O’Riordan’s duet of Zucchero’s “Puro Amore.”

As a precaution against leaks of the recordings, fans are prohibited from taking audio or video recorders to the conference. So although we may not be able to hear it online, we are very likely to have Zucchero fans’ impressions of the duet on Saturday, in addition to more expected news about the duets album.

So be sure to check back on Saturday, as we will have news from the fan conference as it happens.

Source: Un Po’ di Zucchero

Cranberries.ie Changes Servers

January 11, 2004  |  Comments Off on Cranberries.ie Changes Servers  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Although The Cranberries’ Official Website has been mysteriously inactive for months, a look at the website’s registration record suggests that there has been some movement behind the scenes, as the website was transferred this week to a different hosting company.

On January 6, the Official Website was transferred from Irish-based hosting company Elive to Atlanta-based Interland, a company that specializes in small- and medium-sized businesses. Elive was also Zombieguide’s previous hosting company. Elive had hosted the Official Site since it opened in January 1998.

A whois database lookup for the site shows that Alan McEvoy, The Cranberries’ longtime financial consultant, has been designated as the administrative contact after the band parted ways with former manager Lewis Kovac in September.

It appears that the bare-bones website for Timeless Music Management is still hosted by Elive and that no changes were made to the registration record.

In related news, the shopping cart function on the “Shopping” section of the site has been disabled, making it impossible to purchase anything from the site. (Update: Savannah has posted in the Forums that the shopping cart is working, although it still doesn’t functionn for us.)

No word on why the band’s administration ended their long-term relationship with Elive. The lack of any updates in the past 4 months caused some to fear the worst for the site’s future. However, the server move suggests that the site will be online at least for the foreseeable future.

As to when we’ll see an official update, that’s anyone’s guess. Until then (and even after then), stay tuned to Zombieguide for the latest Cranberries developments, official or otherwise.

Source: Exclusive

Zucchero Duets Album Due in Late April

January 7, 2004  |  Comments Off on Zucchero Duets Album Due in Late April  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

According to the latest issue of Italian music magazine Sorrisi e Canzoni, Zucchero’s duets album is on schedule for a release in April or May (Given the recent slew of delays, we’ll bet on the latter).

Zucchero told an Italian newspaper weeks ago that the tentative title of the album is “Made of Stars.” However, Zucchero has been known to change album titles multiple times before their release, we might expect the same for this one.

Though there still isn’t a whole lot of info about the duets album, Zucchero is holding an o cial fanclub meeting in Polesella, Italy, on January 17th, where he will answer fans’ questions, so we can no doubt expect much more information on that date.

For more on the progress of Zucchero’s duets album, be sure to check out Un Po’ di Zucchero.

Source: Un Po’ di Zucchero

Ronan Keating Spreads Cranberries Christmas Joy

January 5, 2004  |  Comments Off on Ronan Keating Spreads Cranberries Christmas Joy  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

On Christmas Day, Britain’s BBC Radio 2 invited Irish celebrity Ronan Keating to host an hour and a half special entitled “Ronan Keating’s Celtic Christmas.” Keating was not only hosted the show, but was given full control over what songs were played on the program. In a move that the BBC website called “surprising,” he chose a Cranberries song for the program, along with selections by fellow countrymen Christy Moore, Clannad, Thin Lizzy, The Pogues, and Jackson Browne.

No word on what song he played during the evening Christmas special.

Source: BBC Radio 2

Jam El Mar Explains Jam & Spoon Album Delay

January 5, 2004  |  Comments Off on Jam El Mar Explains Jam & Spoon Album Delay  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

Polydor Island Germany has confirmed that the forthcoming Jam & Spoon album “Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” has been delayed until April 5th. Dolores O’Riordan’s collaboration with the group entitiled “Mirror Lover” is the fourth track on the album.

Jam El Mar (alias Rolf Ellmer), one half of the duo Jam & Spoon, explained the delay in an interview last month with Midgeure-interviews.net. “You were mentioning January 5, 2004 as release date of the album… this will be pushed a bit further into the year. It really depends on how the single fares in the charts, whether it gets to the position we would like it to see it in, so it might well be February or March. So don’t be angry with us if the record isn’t in the shops on January 5, 2004 because that’s simply to do with marketing techniques, that we haven’t reached quite enough people in order to sell the album successfully. So then it will be moved a little further.”

In the same interview Jam revealed that he and partner Mark Spoon had to make a special trip to Toronto to record Dolores’s vocals: “That was recorded in Toronto simply because Dolores is married to a Canadian and she also has a family, I think she has three or four kids, and she didn’t really want to pop over to Germany but was interested in the project, so she said, can you come over? And that was no problem at all, I think I flew over on a Saturday, we recorded on the Sunday and that Sunday evening I was back on the plane to Frankfurt.”

Even more interesting, Jam reveals that the duo are considering a tour which would consist of all of the singers on the album. However, he admits that this might only be a pipe dream, but that they are investigating to see if it could be done. “It could be that we will do something in the summer, it’s a bit di cult logistically getting all the di erent singers together in one place,” he admits, “We would have to – if you wanted to do this properly – get all the singers together and do this in a few cities or so… of course, it isn’t that easy to put together with all these superstars. But who knows, maybe we’ll find a way. It would be an interesting thing to do having a di erent singer for each number on stage. But it could also be di cult.. so we are discussing it, and are also partly working on the idea but really do not know that exactly whether it can be put into practice or not. But if and when it happens you will most probably hear of it!”

You can read the whole interview in English here or in German here.

Zombieguide will have more on the upcoming release of “Tripomatic
Fairytales 3003″ as we know it.

Sources: Midgeure-interviews.net, Polydor Island Germany

eBay Shuts Down 237 Auctions for Cranberries Rarities

December 29, 2003  |  Comments Off on eBay Shuts Down 237 Auctions for Cranberries Rarities  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

eBay shut down approximately 237 auctions for Cranberries rarities when they suspected that their seller, Danny Kronstrom, may have engaged in shill bidding. We told you last week that Kronstrom, one of the biggest Cranberries collectors in the world, had decided to auction his entire collection. By Saturday night, eBay closed all of his auctions and suspended his account. The goodies up for auction included a French “Hollywood” radio promo, a Brazilian “I’m Still Remembering” radio promo, countless European live bootleg CDs, and some promos that we’ve never even seen before.

Shill bidding is the process of creating a fake ID to bid on your own auctions in order to artificially raise the prices. A user with the ID of “patheticsenses” was found to be bidding on 117 of Kronstrom’s auctions. “Patheticsenses” had no previous eBay history, was created at the same time as Kronstrom’s account, and was bidding exclusively on Kronstrom’s auctions, but only to outbid other users and never as the first bid. These are all telltale signs of shill bidding. (Even your humble webmaster was outbid by “patheticsenses.”) While Kronstrom’s seller account (“dannykronstrom”) was suspended, the account “patheticsenses” was not.

In an email to Zombieguide, Danny denies all accusations and claims no wrongdoing. “‘Patheticsenses’ is not me, Alex. I don’t know who has made this rumor, began this story, but I only want to sell my items and quit [my interest] in The Cranberries…”

“I feel so bad.. I want to write my real emotions, but my English is not good.”

Zombieguide estimates that Kronstrom must still pay at least $60 in lost eBay listing fees for the closed auctions.

Thanks to Paul for keeping an eye on this situation for us.

Source: Exclusive

Ritz Publishes New Interview with Dolores

December 29, 2003  |  Comments Off on Ritz Publishes New Interview with Dolores  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan

The exclusive “Ritz London Magazine” has finally published their long- promised interview with Dolores O’Riordan in their Winter/Spring 2004 issue. This is the first interview with Dolores published since The Cranberries announced their “temporary hiatus” in September of this year. The article covers 5 pages in “Ritz”, making it the most comprehensive interview that Dolores has done in 2003.

The interview was done this past July with Hot Press editor Stuart Clark. Hotpress.com published excerpts from the same interview over the summer, although none of the quotes from that article are repeated in the “Ritz” printed article.

Hot Press editor Stuart Clark asks Dolores about a number of topics, including singing for Pope John Paul II in 2001 and 2002, touring with the Rolling Stones in 2003, her childhood experiences with the Catholic church, and, most intriguing, The Cranberries’ ”taking time out to pursue solo projects.”

Dolores also talks about living in Toronto, where she has been living for the past several months to record her debut solo album, and she says, where she will continue to live this winter. “Having two rugrats — well, three, including Don [Dolores’s stepson] who’s a big kid – it’s still a magical time of year. We’re going to be in Toronto, which means a lot of running around in the snow and hot whickies afterwards. There are bears in the woods near us, but they’ll be hibernating. God, I can’t wait!” she says in the interview, evoking images of a Canadian Winter Wonderland.

Zombieguide has an extra copy of Ritz available for auction on eBay. We’re also throwing in one of our extra copies of the new book From the Cradle to the Stage by Alan Swan.

This is the last interview that we know Dolores to have given, but honestly and unfortunately, it could be the last one we see for awhile. Cherish it while you can.

In the meantime, Zombieguide will keep you informed of any new Cranberries interviews, sightings, or rumors from “a friend of mine who is a friend of the janitor of the building where a friend of Noel’s cousin works part-time.”

Source: Exclusive

Major Cranberries Collector eBay-ing His Collection

December 21, 2003  |  Comments Off on Major Cranberries Collector eBay-ing His Collection  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Longtime Cranberries collector Danny Kronstrom has made the hard decision of parting with his collection.

Many Cranberries fans, including myself, met Danny through his website,The Cranberries Tape Trader, formerly one of the largest Cranberries websites online. The page that remains there now is but a shadow of its former self. Danny has spent the last several years amassing one of the largest Cranberries memorabilia collections in the world.

Danny and I have a long history together, as we ran The Cranberries Gazettetogether before I was invited by former webmaster John Armijo to join Zombieguide.

When asked why he is selling his collection, Danny told me, “I fear it’s the end of The Cranberries and it’s no longer as important to me. I love it, but not enough to buy everything about them. I have some rare stuff and I think it’s important to share it. Some people have shared rare stuff… it’s my time now!”

Danny will be listing his collection piece by piece on eBay over the coming weeks and months. Click here to view Danny’s eBay items. (LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Source: Exclusive

Noel, Fergal, and Mike Discuss Rolling Stones Tour

December 19, 2003  |  Comments Off on Noel, Fergal, and Mike Discuss Rolling Stones Tour  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Norbert from over at Zombieguide Europe has dug up an interview with Noel, Mike, and Fergal recorded backstage from this summer’s Rolling Stones Fourty Licks World Tour, where The Cranberries opened for several European dates. This marks the first, and probably only, video interview of The Cranberries that we’ve seen online in 2003.

“It’s been amazing,” Noel says about the band’s summer outing with the rock veterans. “I guess every band, when you begin, you dream that someday you’ll have this kind of opportunity. I think it’s been everything we hoped it would be. Everyone’s been really nice. We’ve played to an audience that maybe wouldn’t have known us before. I really couldn’t say a bad thing about any of those things. It’s been a really good experience.”

He goes on, “When we used to be teenagers, we used to go to alternative discos and stuff, and they used to play–”

“‘Sympathy for the Devil,’ was it?” Fergal interrups. “That was the big one.”

“There was a collection that they used to play every Friday night,” Noel continues. “When I was watching the show and listening to some of the songs, it kind of reminded me of when we were growing up and hanging out at places back at home.”

Fergal then recounts a story regarding The Rolling Stones’ frontman: “There was the Curse of Keith,” he begins, exchanging mischievous glances with Noel. “There was a pub in New York, and we were sitting down, a bunch of us for a night out. And there was a big picture of Keith in the background with a light on it. So we ended up having a [drinking] session all night until like 5 or 6 in the morning, or something like that. Then we were in some other pub down in Australia. This was like a couple of weeks later. There was another picture of him in the corner. That ended up being another session ’til like 5 or 6 int he morning. So over a few stages, these pictures appeared and it ended up in a drinking session, because of the Curse of Keith.”

Noel was admittedly impressed by the sheer size of The Rolling Stones’ tour: “It’s amazing to see, when you see the scale of it, the size of the whole setup, you know? I think we thought we had a big setup with a few trucks and a few buses, and then you see this… It’s like a town moving across Europe, it’s amazing to see.”

Click here to download the 2 minute interview. (LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
The video should soon be available in the the ZG Videos Section.







Special Edition “Stars” to Release in Japan

December 14, 2003  |  Comments Off on Special Edition “Stars” to Release in Japan  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Japan is finally getting their hands on the Special Edition 2CD version of “Stars: The Best of 1992-2002,” thanks to Universal Music Japan.

Japan initally only received the 1CD version of the greatest hits album when it was released there in September 2002. The new 2CD version will release on January 28, 2004 at a price of 2427 Yen, the same price as the original 1CD version. Universal Music Japan also gave the “Stars” DVD a low-price re- release last month, though no changes were made except new stickers on the outside.

No word yet on whether the re-release will contain anything new not included in the international 2CD special edition version. Zombieguide will keep an eye on the new release and let you know if there are any new additions.

Source: CD Japan

Jam & Spoon’s “Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” Delayed… Again

December 9, 2003  |  Comments Off on Jam & Spoon’s “Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” Delayed… Again  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Patience has always had to be a virtue near and dear to the hearts of Cranberries fans. And now, it appears that it’s time once again to exercise the inspiring (albeit annoying) quality of patience as the January 5th, 2004 release date of Jam & Spoon’s upcoming CD Tripomatic Fairytales 3003 gets postponed.

Now, it seems that fans of The Cranberries will have to wait until the vague day in “early 2004” to pick up the Jam & Spoon album that includes “Mirror Lover,” the track that features guest vocals by Dolores O’Riordan. Because no exact date has yet been given to the delayed release, it’s not clear when Tripomatic Fairytales 3003 will finally hit stores.

As more information becomes available, we’ll bring it to you right here on Zombieguide.com

Source: danceartistinfo.com

“Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” Album Promos Released

December 6, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Tripomatic Fairytales 3003” Album Promos Released  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Some people are counting down the days until Christmas. Others are counting down the days until the New Year. But fans of The Cranberries are counting down the days until January 5, 2004. That’s the scheduled release date of Tripomatic Fairytales 3003, the latest by German trance duo Jam & Spoon that includes the Dolores O’Riordan-vocaled song “Mirror Lover”. And for those close to the music industry, January 5 just got a lot closer. Universal has released a full-length advance album promo disc that includes all twelve album tracks plus three additional bonus tracks.

The advance Promo CD (CD: 2003 DE (Polydor / Island / Universal; 51446259) is in circulation now among key industry professionals, but is not sold in stores. Could it be time to go eBay-ing?

Head over to JamAndSpoon-Fan.de to check out the scans and more info.

Source: JamAndSpoon-Fan.de

Streaming Performance of “Salvation” on MTV UK

December 2, 2003  |  Comments Off on Streaming Performance of “Salvation” on MTV UK  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Even if you have to wait two years before getting a chance to catch The Cranberries live in concert, you don’t have forfeit the thrill of watching The Cranberries live. Thanks to the power of the Internet and a slew of live performances from the past, MTV UK has posted a streaming video performance of “Salvation” live available for download. The only strand of red tape is you’ll need to download RealOne Player and obtain a subscription to RealOne SuperPass…both available now with a limited time free trial period. So logon to MTV UK, power up your pc’s speakers and enjoy.

Source: MTV UK

Update: No Coldplay Cover of Linger

November 17, 2003  |  Comments Off on Update: No Coldplay Cover of Linger  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Well, we knew something was fishy when Google could not produce more information about this supposed cover of “Linger.” According to witnesses (no pun intended) and several reviews of the Witnness Festival show that it was not “Linger” that Coldplay covered, but Ash’s “Shining Light.” Apparently the representative at the Coldplay Official Website didn’t bother to check to see what song was actually played.

Though the person who sent the question was clearly describing “Linger,” we’ve We will take our beating now, because we really deserve to be whipped for missing this spectacular news: The magnificent Coldplay performed a cover of “Linger” during their tour of Ireland this summer.

On July 13, at the Witnness Festival in Ratoath, Ireland, the sublime Chris Martin introduced a special addition to the setlist, saying “We love Thanksgiving food so you should all enjoy this one.” In the Q&A Section of the Official Coldplay Website, one concert goer asked about the cover of The Cranberries classic:

“I was at Coldplay’s gig in Ireland in July, they sang this beautiful song that I hadn’t heard from them before and was wondering what it was. They introduced it like this, “We love Thanksgiving food so you should all enjoy this one”, and he made it sound like it was a song the Irish should know. I think the song was was called ‘Linger’ or ‘Do you have to?’, the lyrics said ‘You know I’m such a fool for you, you’ve got me wrapped around your finger, do you have to let it linger’, what CD is that from? It was a beautiful song.”

One of Coldplay’s representatives responded to the question, saying, “Are you Irish? Shame on you for not knowing this if you are! The reason they played this song is because it’s originally by an Irish group, The Cranberries. It’s called Linger and was one of their biggest hits. Coldplay like to play a cover of a native band wherever they go.”

Oi!! The first person to send Alex an MP3 of this live cover will receive a shiny penny and his eternal gratitude! Seriously, if anyone can help us find a recording of this cover of a great song by another great band, we will gladly host it for everyone to download.

Thanks to Brad P for the tip!

Source: Official Coldplay Website

Cranberries.ie to Terminate Web Hosting with Elive

November 17, 2003  |  Comments Off on Cranberries.ie to Terminate Web Hosting with Elive  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

An employee of Elive has confirmed to Zombieguide that The Cranberries will soon be ending their hosting of The Cranberries’ Official Website with their company.

“My commercial dealings with the band will be ending soon,” Seanie Ryan, Managing Director of elive Internet Business Solutions, told us on Sunday. Ryan declined to comment further.

This leaves two options for the future of the Official Site: either the band’s management is finding a new hosting company or the Official Site is shutting down. Elive has hosted the Official Site since it opened in January 1998. Given the site’s severe lack of any signs of life since September does not make for a pleasant outlook for the website’s future.

Zombieguide is also negatively effected by this revelation, since our site hosting has been provided by Elive as a side product of The Cranberries’ business with them. Because The Cranberries have ended their business with the company, Zombieguide has been asked to move servers within “a timescale of 3-4 weeks.”

Given this information, we speculate that the Official Site will either move servers or close before the end of the 2003.

Meanwhile, Zombieguide will be moving the site to our Metropoliglobal account, where we host most of our media files. This account was set up for us as a favor by Diego, webmaster of ChocolateBrown.com. Most of the main site should move fine, since our fiasco this past March, we’ve gotten some education on site-moving. However, the Zombieguide Forums may need to restart once more; moving SQL databases is not exactly our expertise.

We are grateful to Elive for the service they have provided us with for the past several months

Coldplay Covers “Linger” Live!!!!

November 17, 2003  |  Comments Off on Coldplay Covers “Linger” Live!!!!  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

We will take our beating now, because we really deserve to be whipped for missing this spectacular news: The magnificent Coldplay performed a cover of “Linger” during their tour of Ireland this summer.

On July 13, at the Witnness Festival in Ratoath, Ireland, the sublime Chris Martin introduced a special addition to the setlist, saying “We love Thanksgiving food so you should all enjoy this one.” In the Q&A Section of the Official Coldplay Website, one concert goer asked about the cover of The Cranberries classic:

“I was at Coldplay’s gig in Ireland in July, they sang this beautiful song that I hadn’t heard from them before and was wondering what it was. They introduced it like this, “We love Thanksgiving food so you should all enjoy this one”, and he made it sound like it was a song the Irish should know. I think the song was was called ‘Linger’ or ‘Do you have to?’, the lyrics said ‘You know I’m such a fool for you, you’ve got me wrapped around your finger, do you have to let it linger’, what CD is that from? It was a beautiful song.”

One of Coldplay’s representatives responded to the question, saying, “Are you Irish? Shame on you for not knowing this if you are! The reason they played this song is because it’s originally by an Irish group, The Cranberries. It’s called Linger and was one of their biggest hits. Coldplay like to play a cover of a native band wherever they go.”

Oi!! The first person to send Alex an MP3 of this live cover will receive a shiny penny and his eternal gratitude! Seriously, if anyone can help us find a recording of this cover of a great song by another great band, we will gladly host it for everyone to download.

Thanks to Brad P for the tip!

Source: Official Coldplay Website

Sunday Mirror: Noel Seen with Cranberries Ex-Manager in Limerick

November 17, 2003  |  Comments Off on Sunday Mirror: Noel Seen with Cranberries Ex-Manager in Limerick  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Ireland’s Sunday Mirror must have a tracking device implanted in Noel Hogan’s body.

After spotting him buying CDs in Dublin last month, The Sunday Mirror has found him yet again. In yesterday’s issue of the tabloid, the Mirror ran a photo of Noel and his wife Catherine talking to Cranberries ex-manager Lewis Kovac at Limerick’s Trinity Rooms club.

Hmmm. And so the mystery grows. While Lewis Kovac has officially parted ways with The Cranberries, Hot Press hinted in September that Kovac will be working on a project with Noel, Mike, and Fergal, without Dolores. Or else, the meeting could have been related to Noel’s solo project. On another note, after hearing of Catherine Hogan’s sickness, it’s good to hear that she’s out and about with her husband.

Source: Sunday Mirror

Sunday Indie: Dolores to Fly Home in December

November 16, 2003  |  Comments Off on Sunday Indie: Dolores to Fly Home in December  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

According to a short blurb from the November 9th issue of the Irish newspaper “The Sunday Independent,” Dolores will be flying home to Limerick on December 12th, just in time for her mother Eileen’s birthday. The O’Riordan clan (that’s Dolores, Don, Taylor, and Molly) are currently in Toronto. Dolores is recording solo material at Metalworks with co-producerMatt Vaughan and engineer Mike Plotnikoff.

Sounds like the O’Riordan family will be spending Christmas at home this year. What, no third Pope performance? Dang it.

Source: Sunday Independent

Zombieguide’s Interview with Alan Swan

November 10, 2003  |  Comments Off on Zombieguide’s Interview with Alan Swan  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Trying to find new interviews with The Cranberries this year has been a bit like hunting Yeti. But luckily, a new interview with Fergal Lawler is being published this week in book form, thanks to author Alan Swan. Alan has been working on his new book “From the Cradle to the Stage” for the past year and a half, and it’s turned into quite an impressive project with interviews from over 70 Irish musicians, including Damien Rice, Damien Dempsey, The Frames, Mundy, David Kitt, Christy Moore, The Corrs, Relish, Ronan Keating, Westlife, Bellefire, Six, and oh-so-many more.

Perhaps the best part is that it’s all for a good cause: all profits from the book will be donated to Irish charity Fighting Blindness. According to their press release, “Fighting Blindness has been in existence since 1983. It is a small but dynamic charity made up of families and individuals affected by progressive blindness. The charity is determined to investigate every avenue where a realistic hope of finding a cure exists. The projects it funds are at the cutting edge of international research and have become global leaders in the search for treatments for blindness. 65,000 Irish adults and children are currently losing their sight to progressive blinding conditions known as retinal degenerations. Funds raised through the sale of this book will ensure this vital work is maintained and developed, bringing hope of a bright future to those currently affected by blindness and to future generations.”

“From the Cradle to the Stage” will be released on Wednesday, November 10th for €14.99 ($15 US). You can order the book now from the publisher,Poolbeg (direct link to the book) or from Fighting Blindness.

A full review of the book will come soon, but in the meantime, Alan Swan sat down with Zombieguide’s Alex Kraus to talk about his interview with Fergal, Fighting Blindness, and the current state of Irish music…

Zombieguide: First of all, when did you come up with the idea for this book?

Alan Swan: It was brewing around in my mind for a long time but it
wasn’t until March of 2002 that I sat down and started the ball rolling
on the project. I was presenting a breakfast show on CKRfm, a
commercial station for counties Carlow and Kildare, at the time, so I was up early in the morning, in for work at 5 am, on air at 6 am, finished work at 11 am. I was getting into the habit of sitting down at home pottering around at this and that and not really making use of the time that I had in the afternoons. So one day I just switched on the laptop and got going.

Zombieguide: What was the idea behind the book?

Alan Swan: The creative idea behind the book was very simple. I’m a massive fan of music, always have been. I wanted to put together a book where the artist, speaking in their own words could talk about there younger years and why they choose the road they travel. I’ve always been fascinated about what lights the spark. I wanted all original material. So I set about interviewing over 70-75 acts either face to face, by phone or by e-mail. Hoping that I could get little snippets of information that would give the book a little edge. Because I only had space for 80,000 words myself and my editor felt that we would have to give each artist around 800-1000 words each. Looking at the book now I feel we have a nice mix, some chapters run a bit more, some are short and get the message across. I’m happy with the finished product and extremely proud. I hope that someday someone might pick it up and that it might inspire them to take up music.

Zombieguide: How many pages will the final book have?

Alan Swan: Well it comes in at around 80,000 words, so 200 words a page, 400 pages. To tell you the truth, I have no idea. I still haven’t seen the finished product yet… I have seen the cover and it looks great. It has lots of different shots of different acts, including the Cranberries.

Zombieguide: Nice… when did Fighting Blindness come into the picture?

Alan Swan: Fighting Blindness came in from the start. I wanted a charity involved because I knew it would the perfect vehicle for them to promote themselves. I am good friends with one of there chief fund raising managers in Fighting Blindness and out of courtesy I asked him first before I pitched the idea to other charities. His Chief Exec. liked the idea, got the board to approve it and here we are. I’m thrilled the proceeds of this book is going to charity, Fighting Blindness are an incredible organization and quoting their Chief Exec. Micahel Griffith “Its flagship project in Trinity College is a world leader in the development of gene therapy for dominantly inherited retinopathies and the contribution of this group to the global research effort to find treatments for blindness has been truly outstanding by international terms.” I knew by having the charity on board that it would make it a lot easier to have all the other pieces to come together. The result is that from all of us combined, ie., from publishers to record companies, from artists to me, all our efforts will result in the proceeds from this book going to charity.

Zombieguide: I would assume then that not only was it easier to publish the book once you got a charity sponsor, but that it was a lot easier to get artists to jump in once you told them that it was for

charity?

Alan Swan: It was in a way – but there was an awful lot of work and presentations to do. Our publishers are great, like myself they are very passionate about the book and have put so much effort into it. The artists have been great too – a few due to work commitments weren’t able to contribute (which I totally understand) but I would hope they would make the second edition which I would love to put together in a few years time. Those who did contribute in fairness gave up there time to take part, for example Donal Lunny wrote a beautiful piece from Japan which he e-mailed to me. A lot of artists really took the project to heart and were very generous.

Zombieguide: It looks like the book has gone under a few changes since the first press releases were put out. Originally, the press release stated that Dolores wasto appear in the book, but now it’s Fergal who will appear in the final version. Was Dolores originally supposed to be interviewed? What happened?

Alan Swan: It was a simple case of crossed wires. Nothing more. It was a really early Press Release that wasn’t really finalized before it went out into the public domain. We are delighted to have Fergal on board and I think you will like his contribution. I honestly think that all our contributors have great little stories to tell.

Zombieguide: Yeah, can’t wait to check it out. This question comes from Brad from the Zombieguide Forums… What makes this book unique and not just a mini-biography? I mean, a lot of us diehard fans have already read many, many biographies already, especially about the band’s early days. Just last year, Niall Quinn published his own story online about the earliest days of The Cranberry Saw Us in his own words. Can you promise us something new?

Alan Swan: To be honest I can’t promise anything.

Zombieguide: Then can you give us a little taste of what to expect?

Alan Swan: Each chapter contains small snapshots of the artists life. In Fergal’s case he talks about his first gig, listening to the radio, singing songs in his father’s rocking chair and so on. It would be unfair of me to say “Ah yeah, it’s full of so much new info, lots of it, go out and buy it.” I wouldn’t lie to you, it’s only when you read through the whole book that you get a sense of Irish life and how these stories compare. I found Fergal’s chapter really interesting and I hope whoever buys the book finds this too. Remember too it’s in his own words like all the chapters in the book. I would hope that whoever buys the book would enjoy the other artists stories too, and go, “Jaysus did that happen to Jim Corr, or I never knew that about James Galway or Damien Rice, was THAT the first ever song he learned?” It’s really a celebration of Irish music and that we as a small country have such an array of different styles and singers. I think it’s unique in the way that I don’t think there has been a book that gives such a broad taste of Irish music through the artists own words.

Zombieguide: Oh, really? So the chapters are in first-person monologue style, like an autobiography? Dolores did something very similar for Liz Evans’s book “Women, Sex, and Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 1994, only Evans had to turn the interview into a monologue on her own, since Dolores was in a hospital bed from her skiing accident in the Alps.

Alan Swan: Yes they are. I felt it would be more personal to the reader if it was written like that. I tried to have it flow like a natural conversation, snippets here, snippets there. I hope it works.

Zombieguide: When exactly did you get to interview Fergal? Was it a face-to- face interview or by phone or…? What were your overall impressions of him?

Alan Swan: Because the band where busy, I conducted Fergal’s interview via e-mail and he was very open and obliging. He also wished the project the very best of luck.

Zombieguide: Wow, so did you get Fergal’s personal email address? If you did, I think you just captured the envy of everyone reading this.

Alan Swan: Actually, I have a good friend who acted as a third party for me. E-Mails were then just forwarded to me through that address. I was delighted Fergal had the time to do it because he was on tour at the time. He also left a lovely good luck message for me at the end which was very kind.

Zombieguide: We know that “Cradle to the Stage” covers artists’ roots and early days, but what other subject matter is in the book? Did Fergal get the chance to talk about The Cranberries’ current or future projects?

Alan Swan: No I’m sorry he didn’t, because we asked the artists to focus so much on the past we tended not to get so much info on the future, In some cases we did, but in Fergal’s case we didn’t. Sorry…

Zombieguide: It’s alright. Dolores has been quoted as saying that she doesn’t like to incorporate “trad” elements into The Cranberries’ music because she feels that it’s too much of a cliché for an Irish band. In a sense, its one distinction that separates The Cranberries from other modern Irish, particularly female acts like Enya and The Corrs. Do you feel that a lot of new bands agree with Dolores’ sentiment, or are there still a number that have that “Irish” sound?

Alan Swan: Not to be arguing with Dolores, but in my honest opinion and in a sense I think Dolores’s main instrument, her voice, has a massive Irish traditional Sean Nos sense to it. Her voice is sensational and much of their early material had an Irish feel to it. Recently it has shifted away from that. I can see her point though; some Irish acts do go with the trad element. I don’t think it’s a cliché, I think if it works for Enya and The Corrs and the fans like it well then it works. There are a lot of Irish acts that don’t go with the Trad slant — JJ72, Ash and The Frames. I think it’s great for the Irish sound to be still around, it’s what makes us distinctive, different.

Zombieguide: About the Irish elements, I think everyone would have to agree that Dolores’ voice has a very inherently Celtic quality. But what she means to say is that she’s very much against incorporating stuff like the fiddle or the tin whistle unless it’s absolutely necessary…

Alan Swan: I know exactly where you’re coming from. With regards to Enya and so if it works it works. What the Cranberries do also works and works incredibly well.

Zombieguide: On a broader scale, there is this fear among some cultural purists that Ireland is losing a lot of its ethnic identity and “Irish charm.” (Not to be confused with Lucky Charms, of course.) A hundred years ago, it was a fear of Ireland becoming Anglicized, but today, there’s just as much of a fear of becoming Americanized, or even just “globalized” in general. Do you feel this social trend is having a large impact on music?

Alan Swan: It is in a way. A few years back, and to some small extent now, an awful lot of bands were trying to sound like Radiohead, singer- songwriters were trying to sound like David Gray, and many would follow what was the in sound at the time. I think you will get that in every country though and not just in Ireland. I don’t think Irish music is dying though, I think it’s stronger the ever and a lot of acts are going back to basics and bringing an Irish folk kind of feel to there music. In that I mean that many of our best artists have always been unique story tellers. We have a new generation of artists such as Damien Rice, Glen Hansard, David Kitt, Mundy and so on who all have there own unique sound and bring something fresh to Irish music. I’ve always said it but for a country as small as Ireland we really do produce amazing things. On the other side Trad music is as popular as ever and seems to have lost the stupid stigma that was attached to it. Acts like Altan, Donal Lunny, Dervish and as always The Chieftains are leading the way.

Zombieguide: One radio-related website that I ran across said that “From the Cradle to the Stage,” is your first book but that you have “several others in the pipeline.” Is that right?

Alan Swan: It is, I’m going to take a bit of break from writing for a while, maybe six months or so. I want to write a book about my grandmother, it’s a personal story and really a celebration of her life, she was an amazing woman and I’m really looking forward to sitting down and starting the research work on that. I also want to work on some other biogs but that’s a long way down the road.

Zombieguide: Any chance of another Cranberries-related book?

Alan Swan: Who knows, maybe some day… never say never!

Zombieguide would like to thank Alan Swan for his time and wish best of luck to him and Fighting Blindness.

Source: Exclusive!

Cranberries Parody on French & Saunders DVD

November 9, 2003  |  Comments Off on Cranberries Parody on French & Saunders DVD  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

Before they appeared on the show “Absolutely Fabulous,” British comedy duo Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French carried their own series called “French & Saunders,” which is now getting a flurry of releases on DVD. Their newest DVD release, Living in a Material World has something to offer which will amuse — or infuriate — Cranberries fans.

“Living in a Material World” includes one skit that impersonates Dolores O’Riordan. DVD Talk laments that the parodied lyrics are tough to make out, but hilarious none the less. “Bjork and the Cranberries… also get intricate send-ups… although the musical tributes are a bit less effective as the jokey lyrics are a bit tough to make out. Still, these skits are all awesomely funny.” Björk and Dolores aren’t the only ones getting a jab; Madonna also gets the shaft.

“French and Saunders – Living in a Material World” is now available on DVD in the US for a retail price of $14.98.

Source: DVD Talk

“Whisper to a Scream” DVD Retitled, Re-released

November 7, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Whisper to a Scream” DVD Retitled, Re-released  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

The Irish rock documentary “From a Whisper to a Scream” has been picked up by Eagle Vision USA for a re-release this week on DVD. The new version, entitled “Out of Ireland: From a Whisper to a Scream” was originally released by Fox Lorber under the title “From a Whisper to a Scream: The Living History of Irish Rock” in March 2001 on DVD and a VHS set. The documentary was produced in 2000 and was originally aired on national network RTE in Ireland. The documentary includes a brief segment on The Cranberries and an exclusive interview with Dolores O’Riordan as she comments on Sinead O’Connor, Thin Lizzy, and Irish traditional music.

The new version boasts new packaging (including a shot of Dolores on the cover), but the content appears to be the same as the original release.

Check out Zombieguide Europe for scans of the original release and screen captures.

(IMAGES NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Source: Eagle Vision USA

“Stop The Rumors!” An Artistic Look at the Two-Year Break

November 3, 2003  |  Comments Off on “Stop The Rumors!” An Artistic Look at the Two-Year Break  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

It’s too bad the album title “Rumours” has already been done (snatched up by Fleetwood Mac in 1977), because lately, it seems that this would be the ideal title for the Cranberries’ sixth album. Amidst all of the mayhem of “will they or won’t they” ever return to the studio, fans are left wondering: how are The Cranberries coping with the allegations, insinuations, and the ever popular out-of-context publications?

Well, for a little poetic answer to that question, Zombieguide presents an astonishing creation by mesmerizing cartoonist, Maurizio di Bona aka The Hand. Cranberries fans may remember that it was The Hand who, earlier this year, was asked by The Cranberries to produce artwork for official band merchandise. Created in an attempt to portray The Cranberries’ struggle to balance personal with professional, this one-of-a-kind illustration, entitled “Stop Rumours” was submitted to Zombieguide in an effort to help stifle the whirlwind of conclusions and remind fans that The Cranberries remain individuals with significant responsibilities that lie beyond the group itself.

Special thanks to the astonishing artist, The Hand, for kindly allowing Zombieguide to post this terrific piece of art!

Source: Exclusive

Dennis Storhøi Names Cranberries As Favorite Artist

November 3, 2003  |  Comments Off on Dennis Storhøi Names Cranberries As Favorite Artist  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

What do The Cranberries have in common with Chopin? How about a top- ranked spot in the personal favorites list of Norwegian actor, Dennis Storhøi! In an IGN Filmforce online interview, actor Dennis Storhoi (The Thirteenth Warrior) named The Cranberries, alongside Chopin, as his personal favorite musicians…as odd of a combination as it might seem.

The accomplished actor has performed in numerous on-stage productions as well as silver screen projects. In IGN Filmforce’s brief ten questions spanning everything from favorite film to greatest influences, his reference to The Cranberries as favorite musical artist took first line in the interview.

Source: IGN Filmforce

The Cranberries On Unofficial Beatles Tribute Collection

October 30, 2003  |  Comments Off on The Cranberries On Unofficial Beatles Tribute Collection  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  The Cranberries

As if quirky tunes such as “Yellow Submarine”, “Rocky Raccoon”, and “I Am the Walrus” aren’t enough of a novelty for Beatles fans, there is now a new three-volume compilation that exalts the music industry’s fascination with the Fab Four. We Want the Beatles is an eclectic compilation that’s turned up on eBay. The strange set features both well-known and obscure tracks that include virtually any reference to John, Paul, George or Ringo. So what has this to do with The Cranberries you ask? Think hard. Yes, you’ve got it. To The Faithful Departed’s rocking tribute to the late John Lennon, “I Just Shot John Lennon” is included in the smorgasbord of songs about The Beatles. As long-time fans of The Beatles, The Cranberries were bound to pay homage to the mop-topped music legends somehow; and a savvy bootlegger out there didn’t overlook The Cranberries contribution to Beatle Mania.

We Want the Beatles appears to be an unofficial collection of songs; yet it certainly does deserve credit for baring a painstaking appearance. Zealot bidders currently have the unofficially-released six-disc set priced at over $90.00 on eBay.com

Source: eBay.com

Exclusive: Zombieguide’s Interview with Mike Plotnikoff

October 25, 2003  |  Comments Off on Exclusive: Zombieguide’s Interview with Mike Plotnikoff  |  by Zombieguide Archives  |  Dolores O'Riordan, The Cranberries

Sound engineer Mike Plotnikoff has a long history with The Cranberries. His first encounter with the band was engineering “To the Faithful Departed,” working alongside his good friend, the late Bruce Fairbairn. He then mixed “Bury the Hatchet” in 1999 and “Beneath the Skin,” released in 2001. Now (much to his surprise), he’s been asked not only to mix Dolores O’Riordan’s new solo song “Black Widow”, but also her upcoming solo album, which, Matt says, Dolores is scheduled to begin recording in November. For this and more revelations, read the transcript below or download the MP3.

I called Mike Plotnikoff at LA’s Bay 7 Studios today on the telephone for an interview about his current and past work with Dolores and The Cranberries. And here’s what he had to say…

Alex Kraus’s Phone Interview with Mike Plotnikoff (MP3, 7mb,, 15mins)
(LINK NO LONGER AVAILABLE)

Zombieguide: Hey, this is Alex from Zombieguide.com, we’re on the phone here with Mike Plotnikoff, who Cranberries fans will remember was the engineer for “To the Faithful Departed”; he mixed “Bury the Hatchet” and also the live DVD “Beneath the Skin,” and he also mixed some songs on “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee,” which I did not know til I looked at your resume. I thought it was entirely handled by Cenzo Townshend? Most recently, and what everyone seems to be talking about is, Mike, you also mixed Dolores’ solo track “Black Widow.”

Mike Plotnikoff: Yes I did, just one track a couple of weeks ago

Zombieguide: OK, well, since that seems to be the topic of interest right now, we’ll get started with that

Mike Plotnikoff: Sure.

Zombieguide: And, trust me, anyone who’s listening to this is going to be really jealous of you for getting to hear it before the rest of us.

Mike Plotnikoff: OK [slight laughter]

Zombieguide: So you say you mixed it a couple of weeks ago, we just found out about your involvement within the past week or so.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, they called me up, I guess it was a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know if you know Don, obviously, Dolores’s husband.

Zombieguide: Yes.

Mike Plotnikoff: He called me to see if I’d be interested in mixing this track. I think what they want to try to do, what he told me, is to get it into the new Spiderman movie?

Zombieguide: Really?

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, so that’s what it was for. For the new soundtrack which they’re going to try to get it into. I think that was the thing behind this one song.

Zombieguide: Interesting… because we also learned recently that she recorded a song for Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ” movie.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yes, she did.

Zombieguide: Did you have any involvement with that?

Mike Plotnikoff: No, I was going to mix it and for some reason it just fell through. I think what happened was that they went with an a cappella version only. [Editor’s note: Does that imply there are other versions?]

Zombieguide: Yeah, in Latin.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, exactly. So they said, “There’s no point,” they’re just going to put the vocals up themselves wherever they tracked it. They sent me this other song which is going to try to be for another soundtrack.

Zombieguide: So the other song didn’t require much mixing?

Mike Plotnikoff: No, it didn’t. It was pretty much vocal only, so it was only a 5-minute mix really.

Zombieguide: We’ve heard of another title called “Croatia” — is that the song?

Mike Plotnikoff: [thinking] Uh.. no, I think it’s a song I know they asked me to mix. I dont know if they mixed it already, but I know I spoke with Dolores about a week ago and she asked if I’d be interested in an offer to do that as well [?]

[Editor’s note: Given that the song for the “Passion” soundtrack song appears finished and so does “Black Widow,” we have good reason to believe that “Croatia” is indeed the title of the song Dolores O’Riordan recorded for Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of Christ”…]

Zombieguide: Dolores has said that these new solo tracks that she’s doing are very different from what she’s done in the past with The Cranberries…

Mike Plotnikoff: [emphatically] Yes, they are! Well, obviously I’ve just heard “Black Widow,” but it’s really different.

Zombieguide: In what way?

Mike Plotnikoff: It’s more experimental type. I don’t know if you remember a song that was on the movie soundtrack for “The Devil’s Own”…

Zombieguide: Yeah, yeah, yeah! [getting excited…] “God Be With You.”

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, “God Be With You.” It’s more along those lines. A lot of keyboards and programming… experimental is about the best way I can describe it.

Zombieguide: [shitting a brick] Excellent!! “God Be With You” is one of my absolute favorite songs.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, its kind of along that line: very quirky, but it’s a very interesting, really cool song.

Zombieguide: Now, does that make a difference in how it’s mixed?

Mike Plotnikoff: [hesitating] Not really, but then you could be a little more experimental with delay and stuff. You could take it a little more that “quirkiness” way, take it more left-field.

Zombieguide: Are there any past Cranberries songs you’d compare it with, other than “God Be With You”?

Mike Plotnikoff: No, it’s nothing compared to any Cranberries song at all.

Zombieguide: [intrigued] Really?

Mike Plotnikoff: Nothing, no.

Zombieguide: Fascinating. Are there any other artists you’d compare it with?

Mike Plotnikoff: I guess along the lines of, if anybody else, Björk, some of the weird stuff Björk would do.

Zombieguide: [shitting another brick] Really?!? I’m a big Björk fan, too.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, it’d be along those lines, the Björk category. But then at the end it gets really cool because these big drums and guitars come in at the very end through the last chorus and it has this Led Zepplin-y feel drum sound, it has that element too. But for the most part, it’s a lot of bizarre programming and with Dolores and her vocals and you know the things she can do with her vocals.

Zombieguide: Now, you talked to Don for this, did you have any contact with Dolores?

Mike Plotnikoff: Uh, yeah, I talked to Dolores a few times. She basically said to do what I do and that was all. She just kind of left it open to see how I would interpret it.

Zombieguide: Now, Matt Vaughan co-produced the song, is that right?

Mike Plotnikoff: You know, I don’t even know.

Zombieguide: Well, he did. Did you have any contact with him at all?

Mike Plotnikoff: No, I didn’t.

Zombieguide: No? OK. Do you know where it was recorded, by the way?

Mike Plotnikoff: I think it was recorded in Metalworks in Toronto.

Zombieguide: OK… ’cause she’s been recording there with Matt for the past few months and she also recorded with him in London.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, I think that’s where “Black Widow” was recorded [in Toronto].

Zombieguide: Cool. Right now, it’s listed on the Timeless Music label, which I guess is what The Cranberries’ self-owned label, [that’s] what they’re going to call it, now that they left Universal this year. Do you have any idea of what’s going on with that?

Mike Plotnikoff: No idea.

Zombieguide: No idea? Because right now it looks like it exists in name only…

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, I just spoke with Dolores last week, I guess it was. I’m going to go work on the record with her in Toronto, to finish the record she’s working on right now.

Zombieguide: The record….? [prying, already knowing what the answer is]

Mike Plotnikoff: Her solo record, after I finish the record I’m working on right now.

Zombieguide: Now there’s been a lot of conflicting reports about this so- called solo record that she’s doing. Is it, indeed, a full record?

Mike Plotnikoff: I, I have no idea. Songs, I don’t know what it is.

Zombieguide: The band is being very vague about it at the moment.

Mike Plotnikoff: I think it’s just going to be her solo record and not going to involve the other band members. I’m pretty sure about that. But I could be wrong about that. All I know is that they called me up to ask if I could come and work with her sometime in November in Toronto at Metalworks Studios. And that’s about as much as I know.

Zombieguide: The band’s PR announced in September that the band themselves are taking a two-year break to do side projects, like Dolores’s solo material, etc. Do you know anything about that at all?

Mike Plotnikoff: No.

Zombieguide: No? And the band themselves are slowly — very slowly — putting together their sixth album. Pathetic_Senses (aka Saeed) from the Zombieguide Forums wants to know if you have any idea if you’ll be inovled with it.

Mike Plotnikoff: No idea, I haven’t heard anything.

Zombieguide: Dolores has said in a few interviews that on these new songs she’s doing, she’s using a lot of new tools she hadn’t used before, like ProTools, etc. Do you know what she’s using?

Mike Plotnikoff: ProTools.

Zombieguide: ProTools? Anything else?

Mike Plotnikoff: [inaudible program name] maybe. I think she’d do all her programming with [inaudible]. I have no idea…

Zombieguide: OK, let’s go back in time just a little bit to “To the Faithful Departed.” The band said then that they wanted the album to sound really raw, almost live. How did you approach that in terms of mixing? Because that album has a much different sound to it in comparison to other albums by them.

Mike Plotnikoff: Well, we set them up live and what we recorded was pretty much what we mixed. We tried to keep it as simple as possible. I think that was the plan, because it was supposed to be more “rock” than the last two albums, the two previous records. I’m trying to think back, it was a long time ago. I’m not sure, pretty much how I do every kind of mixing, throw up the frame and let the song take shape and whatever comes out at the end, hopefully will track in a way that the song takes you in a certain direction.

Zombieguide: And then on “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee,” I just learned that you had mixed some tracks on that. What songs were you involved with? Do you remember?

Mike Plotnikoff: I don’t even know! I noticed it was on allmusic.com, I was looking at my discography one day and noticed the mix credit on there. I don’t know which songs they put on there. They must have put some B- sides on there that didn’t make either “Bury the Hatchet” or “To the Faithful Departed.”

Zombieguide: It could be… they recorded “Do You Know” for “Bury the Hatchet” originally, but they ended up putting it on “Wake Up and Smell the Coffee.”

Mike Plotnikoff: That’s probably what it is then, because I wasn’t involved with that record.

Zombieguide: Yeah, because that surprised me. I think that Cenzo Townshend handled most of it

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah. Well, I think that they just took that song that I did a mix of…

Zombieguide: Ah, well, I was under the impression that they re-recorded that song.

Mike Plotnikoff: Maybe they did, I’m not sure. I haven’t even looked at the record to see what I was credited for. I just know that it’s out there.

Zombieguide: [One of your agents] sent me your discography and it’s listed on there too.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, so it must be something. You know, there are so many records that I don’t keep track of them. Sometimes my name will appear on records I don’t even know.

Zombieguide: [laughing]

Mike Plotnikoff: A lot of times they’re songs that they’ve recorded before that somehow got on there. So, I don’t know, I’d have to check into it to see what it was. I couldn’t tell you off hand.

Zombieguide: Hmmm. Ode to Dolores on the Zombieguide Forums wants to know just generally how you go about your job. Do artists ask you to do specific things or do you have the freedom to try out your own ideas?

Mike Plotnikoff: It’s both. I have my own creative free will but if they don’t like it, they definitely say something. A lot of times, they’ll steer me in a direction and give me an idea of what they want and I’ll try to go that way. Hopefully, I’ll go along the right path and if not, then they’ll say, OK, do this or do that. Because a lot of times I’ll do something and it’s not what they expect it to be.

Zombieguide: OK, just looking at the questions that people have posted on the Forums, just looking to see if there’s anything else… umm, I guess you’re not that inimately involved with the band?

Mike Plotnikoff: I’m not! You know, the last time I worked with them was quite awhile ago and I was quite suprised when they called me to do the “Black Widow” song, because I hadn’t actually spoken with them for quite awhile. So then I got a call to say if I could do this track. Then I’ve been in contact with them for the last couple of weeks regarding working with Dolores and her solo record.

Zombieguide: Right. Do you know of anybody else that would be involved with that?

Mike Plotnikoff: No idea, and you know, I’m still trying to make my schedule so that I can do this. I’m pretty tied up for almost the next year.

Zombieguide: Wow. Because over the past year they’ve been recording demos and things for upcoming releases and they’ve worked with almost everybody they’ve worked with in the past — Stephen Street, Cenzo Townshend again, you… Matt Vaughan is new, I think this is the first time they’re working with him. But it’s just kind of been a collection of The Cranberries’ past in terms of who they’re working with.

Mike Plotnikoff: Right…

Zombieguide: …Because the band’s Official Website hasn’t been updated for almost two months and there are things going on. It’s just very strange that the Irish press has all these reports out that nobody can really confirm or deny and the people at their Official Site won’t confirm or deny anything for the past two months. So I think the band is just leaving themselves just really open-ended as to what they’re doing in the future in terms of Dolores’s solo projects and I think Noel’s working on something. He was scheduled to work with a sitarist, but that got cancelled, and the Irish press is reporting that he’s working on a solo album

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, they may be doing that, they’ve been together for so long that they may be doing solo records. But, yeah, as far as I know for myself, I’m out of the loop when it comes to that inside information. They know for themselves what’s going on.

Zombieguide: [joking] I wonder about that!

Mike Plotnikoff: Sorry?

Zombieguide: I wonder about that sometimes…

Mike Plotnikoff: What’s that?

Zombieguide: Whether they know what’s going on.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, they probably don’t even know what’s going on. I know that there are some health problems, you know, their families and stuff.

Zombieguide: Yeah, I know Dolores is in Canada right now because her mother-in-law has some health problems.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, I know Noel’s wife has some health problems, the same with Mike’s wife. So I think there are a lot of things that happened all at once.

Zombieguide: One of Fergal’s children had glaucoma in both eyes.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, last evening I know when I spoke with Dolores, she mentioned that she was taking a break because a lot things had happened all at once. [inaudible]

Zombieguide: Yeah, it’s pretty clear with this break that it’s to spend with their families and take personal time.

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, I think were a lot of things that all just came down at once and they need to get back a little bit. But thats what I got from it, you know. [inaudible]

Zombieguide: Thanks a bunch for your time, it’s incredibly appreciated. And if you work with them again in the future, I hope to talk to you again!

Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, well, I’ll be working with them again in November, with Dolores anyways. That’s pretty much the only for-sure thing.

Zombieguide: Well, maybe I’ll be able to talk to you again, after you get some work done for her.

Mike Plotnikoff: Sure.
Zombieguide: Thank you, Mike! Huge, big, big thanks! Mike Plotnikoff: Yeah, OK, no problem!

Zombieguide would like to thank Mike Plotnikoff for his time and also thank all the fine folks at his agency, Nettwerk Management, for arranging this interview for us!

Source: Exclusive!!

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