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Bio:
Formed in February 1982 by a group of teenage girls who'd just left school.
Note lack of guitar player in the lineup. Early influences cited by the band
included Siouxsie, The Cure,
Grace Jones and the B-52s. They later drew comparisons to Eurthymics and
the Psychedelic Furs.
They recorded a demo in 1983 under the guidance of Gerry Lane (Driveshaft)
which was produced by Denis Herlihy at Ballinadee Studios in Bandon.
This included the tracks "Illusions" and "Bitter Sweet". Their live set
included a clever rearrangement of "Downtown".
Porcelyn Tears recorded several more demos and did three Fanning sessions on
RTE radio, the first in early 1984. They also made various TV appearances
(TV Gaga, Anything Goes).
A single was recorded at Windmill Lane with Joe O'Herlihy and planned for
release in May 1984, but for whatever reason this never came out.
They did not get an easy ride from the press. They were portrayed
as an amateur wannabe pop-star girly group. George Byrne
described them in Hot Press in 1985 as "the most sexist outfit
touring [the] country", suggesting they relied on their looks
rather than talent, suffered from one Grace Jones video too many,
and that Ann Redmond "spent more time scouting for flashbulbs
than concentrating on her vocals". He concluded that they may
be photogenic but their songs were appalling and their musicianship
even worse. It's safe to say George didn't like them.
Gerlyn Ryan was replaced by Kamla Das (ex Expresso Mambo)
at some point.
They supported U2 at the Lark By The Lee in 1985 and New Order
on their 1985 Irish tour.
Management problems led to their demise. Ann Redmond formed The Chapterhouse
with Skully of Real Mayonnaise.
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