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Bio:
Named after a line in The Fall's "Two Steps Back", The Cracker Factory was formed in
Dublin in early 1985 approx by brothers Johnny and Anthony Moran. All came from the East Wall area of Dublin except
for vocalist Paul Gaffney who was from Finglas. He left before they started
gigging and the band had trouble finding a suitable vocalist for some time.
Vocals were handled by Johnny Moran who was first to admit he wasn't the
greatest singer in the world . . . This lineup had a punky type sound similar to
the Fall in places when they recorded the first 2-song demo. Most gigs were at
The Underground in Dublin.
The band's sound developed with the addition of Dave O'Reilly, whose trumpet
lent it a really good edge. There was also a trombone player and a female
backing vocalist named Kate ??? for a few shows. O'Reilly left to join
Crime of Passion / Icon Trial.
Finally during 1986 a proper frontman was found named
Martin Lynch (vocals/guitar/harmonica) who was from the North. Paul Harper was
replaced by Declan Mulligan on bass. This lineup was a solid live band, sounding
a bit like a poppier version of The Smiths and The Cure with some REM influence,
standard fare for Dublin in the mid 1980s. They did quite a few gigs and
recorded a good demo which received some record company interest, but nothing
materialised.
Recorded in 1986 at Sun Studios Temple Bar Dublin, The Cracker Factory, formed
by brothers Johnny & Anthony Moran in East Wall, and featuring Declan Mulligan
on Bass and Martin Lynch on Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar on this recording of
Lynch's song of Lives lost to Drug Addiction and Destitution.
Lynch left the band in 1987, heading back up North, and was replaced by a guy
named Dave Radford who was an excellent guitar player and a good vocalist. Radford had
played steel guitar for the Cotton Mill Boys (gasp!) and the legendary (cough)
Roly Daniels. Unsurprisingly the bands sound had changed quite a bit by this
stage, leaning in a country rock direction reminiscent of the Eagles. They wrote
a lot of new material, recorded 3 songs, and even changed their name to Keeper
of the Fire, but never gigged and, fed up with the new sound, Johnny Moran left
the band, which split shortly afterwards.
The original lineup was Johnny Moran (guitar/vocals), Paul Gaffney (vocals/guitar),
Paul Harper (bass) and Anto Moran (ex Proles) (drums).
Martin Lynch (vocals) replaced Paul Gaffney, who later played with Tony St. James
and the Dry Season. Declan Mulligan (bass) replaced Paul Harper in 1986.
Dave Radford (vocals/guitar) replaced Martin Lynch in 1987.
Declan Mulligan later played with Inside Cairo, The Lesser Gods,
The Candyshop and Dry Season. Anto Moran
later in The Promise
We need your help to correct and/or complete this entry. If you can provide more information about this band, have scans, photos or any other memorabilia we can use, or spare copies of any releases, then please get in touch.