The gift of The Cranberries keeps on giving. Day by day, their greatest hits reach wider audiences and take on new lives. And with soundtrack appearances, social media trends, and releases like MTV Unplugged, their cultural impact is undeniable. The notable MTV performance shows off some of what The Cranberries does best: emotion. While the acoustic performance presents these songs in a way we’ve never heard before, some of the studio versions are actually the songs’ first recordings. Rather than going again and again, they captured their raw emotions and released them to the world. The display of these emotions during the MTV performance freezes The Cranberries in time after the release of their second album, No Need To Argue, catapulted them to mainstream hype. It’s remembered as one of the most iconic performances of the MTV series, and now fans can enjoy it anytime they want.
Originally recorded in 1995, the stripped-down versions of classics like ‘Zombie’ and ‘Linger’ are available on streaming, vinyl, and CD for the very first time. Along with our old favorites, we have access to the one-time-only performance of ‘Yesterday’s Gone.’ Never before released in studio format, ‘Yesterday’s Gone’ was essentially written on a whim. The talented Dolores O’Riordan and guitarist Noel Hogan had written it the day before, and the sole proof of its existence lives on MTV Unplugged.
With new glimpses into Dolores and the rest of the band’s minds still releasing thirty years after their debut, and seven years after Dolores’ tragic passing, it’s no wonder The Cranberries still has such a hold on music lovers everywhere. At concerts, crowds halt their conversations to sing along when ‘Zombie’ plays on a pre-show playlist. Young fans discover ‘Linger’ on social media and do a deep dive into the rest of their songs. Their storytelling and lyrics remain relevant, and the legacy left on the music industry is one-of-a-kind. Needless to say, The Cranberries is going nowhere. And with this latest release, drummer Fergal Lawler is here to discuss his perspective.
Welcome to the Honey Pop! As an ice breaker, do you remember the first song you ever learned on drums?
It was probably a song by The Cure called ‘A Night Like This’.
Fans of the original recording of the MTV Unplugged session have no doubt hoped for an official release all these years, and they’re finally getting one! What made you decide to release it now?
We have wanted to release the MTV Unplugged session for a long time and had been discussing it with our record label, Universal. They went to MTV to secure the rights and sort out all the “red tape” bureaucracy for us.
Going off of the last question, you’ve built an impressive resume of performances over the years. What stood out to you about the MTV series that made you want to revisit it over any other performance?
I think it was the fact that it was a very well produced show that captured an acoustic performance of the band in such a beautiful and intimate setting. It was a very special performance and we were honoured to have been asked to be a part of that historical show.
One such live performance that you were known for, of course, was ‘Zombie,’ which you played live for a while before it was released. What about the audience reaction, if anything, let you know that this song needed to be a single?
We had been playing ‘Zombie’ in our live set for more than a year before it was recorded. It was originally titled ‘In Your Head’. When we played it live, the audience were singing along when the second chorus came around so we knew there was something special about that song.
As part of The Cranberries’ rhythm section, what was your perspective on these songs? How did you relate to them?
From the early days of the band we had been playing acoustic versions of our songs in record stores and radio stations so it was never a problem for us to play acoustically. Dolores, Noel and Mike had acoustic guitars and I would use bongos, tambourines and shakers. It’s a different approach and it’s a lot more intimate. The fact that Dolores had such an incredible voice was a big factor in the acoustic performances being so special.
Given the current state of the world, ‘Zombie’ has continued to find new fans for thirty years now because it’s remained so relevant. What do you think about the new life it’s taken on?
It is truly mind-blowing how ‘Zombie’ has been rediscovered by a new audience. It really is just so humbling that there is such a positive reaction to a song that we put together in a small, damp shed in Limerick. That it can have such longevity and touch so many people around the world is incredible.
With such complex storytelling, your songs have been used in a lot of movie and television soundtracks. Do you have a favorite interpretation or time one of your songs has been used?
There have been so many movies and TV shows over the years that have featured Cranberries songs but what springs to mind today is Derry Girls. It was such a brilliant show and always brought a smile to my face.
Because of the massive success behind ‘Zombie,’ listeners may have overlooked some of your favorite songs. You’ve expressed before that you especially love the softer songs like ‘Disappointment.’ How does your relationship to these songs differ as a listener versus a performer?
As a listener I’m imagining myself not being a member of the band and thinking “if I wasn’t in the band, would I like this song?” It’s a completely different perspective and it’s sometimes difficult to stop myself from listening objectively. It takes patience and years of training 😉
You’ve been the one going through the archived content from your time in The Cranberries. Is there a favorite memory or story that you’ve uncovered in the process? What has it been like looking back on these memories?
Yes, I have lots of fond memories, but a favourite is when we recorded No Need To Argue in The Manor studios in Oxford. As the name suggests, the studio was set in a beautiful old Manor House in the countryside just outside Oxford. It was so peaceful and the staff there were incredible, so all we had to focus on was making a good Album. It was stress free. Looking back on these times brings me warmth but also sadness because Dolores has passed away. I try to focus on the positive and remember those happy times.
If you can put yourself back in the mindset you were in when you first started out in Limerick, Ireland, before the success of your first two albums, what were your main goals? Was there a milestone you remember hitting that you never expected to? What was that like?
When we started out our main goal was to have enough success to make being in the band our full-time job. I suppose the first milestone I remember is seeing ‘Linger’ being played over and over on Mtv and constantly hearing ourselves on the radio. It was amazing. We had been working hard for a few years and not getting too much attention so it felt great that all our hard work was finally paying off. Our gigs were packed with people singing along to the songs.
What’s cool about these songs is that they work in so many different ways, between the unplugged versions and the remixes you worked on with Iain Cook of CHVRCHES. Considering the legacy The Cranberries have no doubt left on the alternative genre, what is it like working with newer artists like him who may have come into the scene looking up to The Cranberries?
Iain is such a lovely guy. He is a gifted musician who can play many instruments. I must clarify that Iain did all the remixing, I was just there to encourage him and help steer him a little. (I also played a bit of percussion) He was very worried about remixing ‘Zombie’ because of it’s “legendary status” but I suggested to not think about that too much, not to approach it tentatively and just “go full on dance mix”!
The band was active until your last album In The End. What did you learn over the years that you took with you into this last release?
In The End was the most difficult recording session ever. We were all very distraught but trying to put a brave face on it. Trying our best to make an Album that Dolores would have been proud of. Thankfully Stephen (Street) was producing it. That instantly made us feel somewhat more comfortable as he was so close with Dolores too and knew what she liked and disliked. I am very proud of that Album and I’m sure Dolores would be too. There are some powerful and beautiful songs on there.
As much as we love talking about The Cranberries, what are you enjoying outside of the band right now? Anything you’d be excited to talk about?
I just finished composing music for a documentary about the life of animator Don Bluth called Somewhere Out There. I have been composing music for short films and documentaries for the past few years. it’s something I have always wanted to do, but never had the confidence to do until I went back to University in 2015. I’ve started to record a new solo instrumental Album also as a follow up to All Hope is Never Lost.
Thanks so much for talking with us! One last question: since we’re getting into autumn, what songs or artists do you have on your playlist for the season?
New Dad. I saw them play in Galway a few weeks ago and they were fantastic ! Soccer Mommy, my daughter put me on to them. The soundtrack to Weapons. I watched the movie a few weeks ago and am still shaken !!
We could talk to him for hours, but unfortunately, he has other commitments. Good news for you: we have all the time in the world to discuss The Cranberries! Head over to our socials and let us know your thoughts at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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