The Stunning
Encyclopedia
The Stunning were an Irish
rock
band. They formed in 1987, and first split up in 1994. They have reformed twice in the 21st century.
with singles such as "Brewing Up a Storm
", "Half Past Two", "Romeo’s on Fire" and "Everything that Rises". Their debut album, Paradise in the Picturehouse, and their second album Once Around The World, both reached the #1 spot in the Irish Albums Chart
. They recorded a live album, Tightrope, in the Taibhdhearc Theatre at the Galway Arts Festival
in July 1993.
In the seven years the band were together, they toured around Ireland building up a following that would make them a successful act on the live circuit throughout the early nineties. In 1990, their debut album Paradise in the Picturehouse spent a record-breaking 5 weeks at number one. Their second album Once around the World went straight in at Number One in the Irish Music Charts, and went on to be another multi-platinum seller. The Stunning have sold in excess of 100,000 albums in Ireland alone and won numerous awards.
They were together as a group for seven years before splitting up, after a series of business disappointments and a lack of progress internationally. They played a farewell tour in 1994 before going their separate ways.
. Derek Murray joined the Saw Doctors
, before leaving again. Jim Higgins spent a number of years playing around the world with Riverdance
and since then has played with the Saw Doctors
, Altan and numerous other acts. Cormac Dunne has become one of the most in-demand session drummers in Ireland.
In September 2003, 9 years after breaking up, they re-released Paradise in the Picture House. It went straight into the top ten once again, and the accompanying tour was a huge success. They played 14 sold-out shows to over 20,000 people across the country.
For Christmas 2006, The Stunning re-released their acclaimed live album, Tightrope and reformed again for another nationwide tour. The tour began in Galway
on December 14 and finished in Killarney
on New Year's Eve. In between they visited Cork
, Dublin, Waterford
, Sligo
, Castlebar
and Ennis
.
They played an open-air concert in Galway for the Volvo Ocean Race
Festival on the 5 June 2009.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band. They formed in 1987, and first split up in 1994. They have reformed twice in the 21st century.
Members
- Steve Wall
- Joe Wall
- Derek Murray (guitarist)
- Jim Higgins (percussionist and trumpet player)
- Cormac Dunne (drummer)
Background
The Stunning gained recognition within IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
with singles such as "Brewing Up a Storm
Brewing Up a Storm
"Brewing Up a Storm" is the best known song of the Irish musical ensemble The Stunning, popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It featured as the sixth track on the 1990 album Paradise in the Picturehouse, the second track on the 1992 album Once Around the World and the fourth track on 1994's...
", "Half Past Two", "Romeo’s on Fire" and "Everything that Rises". Their debut album, Paradise in the Picturehouse, and their second album Once Around The World, both reached the #1 spot in the Irish Albums Chart
Irish Albums Chart
The Irish Albums Chart is the Irish music industry standard albums popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on its behalf by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured electronically...
. They recorded a live album, Tightrope, in the Taibhdhearc Theatre at the Galway Arts Festival
Galway Arts Festival
Galway Arts Festival is an annual arts festival that takes place each July in Galway, Ireland. It is Ireland’s leading arts festival and one of the most successful and influential arts enterprises in the country. The Festival is one of the key European arts festivals...
in July 1993.
In the seven years the band were together, they toured around Ireland building up a following that would make them a successful act on the live circuit throughout the early nineties. In 1990, their debut album Paradise in the Picturehouse spent a record-breaking 5 weeks at number one. Their second album Once around the World went straight in at Number One in the Irish Music Charts, and went on to be another multi-platinum seller. The Stunning have sold in excess of 100,000 albums in Ireland alone and won numerous awards.
They were together as a group for seven years before splitting up, after a series of business disappointments and a lack of progress internationally. They played a farewell tour in 1994 before going their separate ways.
After The Stunning
The founding members, Joe and Steve Wall, later formed The WallsThe Walls
The Walls are an Irish rock band. They were formed in 1998 by two ex-members of The Stunning.-Members:* Steve Wall* Joe Wall* Carl Harms * Rory Doyle...
. Derek Murray joined the Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the...
, before leaving again. Jim Higgins spent a number of years playing around the world with Riverdance
Riverdance
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish stepdancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. It originated as an interval performance during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, a moment that is still considered a significant...
and since then has played with the Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors
The Saw Doctors are an Irish rock band. Formed in 1986 in Tuam, County Galway, they have achieved eighteen Top 30 singles in Ireland, including three number ones. Their first number one, "I Useta Lover," topped the Irish charts for nine consecutive weeks in 1990, and still holds the record for the...
, Altan and numerous other acts. Cormac Dunne has become one of the most in-demand session drummers in Ireland.
Re-releases and reformations
The Walls received regular emails from fans requesting their debut album Paradise in the Picturehouse whose cassette copies had worn out, so they decided to reissue the album on their own label. It was the re-release of the album that inspired the idea of a reunion tour to promote it. The band members had always dismissed the idea before, but this time they all agreed.In September 2003, 9 years after breaking up, they re-released Paradise in the Picture House. It went straight into the top ten once again, and the accompanying tour was a huge success. They played 14 sold-out shows to over 20,000 people across the country.
For Christmas 2006, The Stunning re-released their acclaimed live album, Tightrope and reformed again for another nationwide tour. The tour began in Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
on December 14 and finished in Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
on New Year's Eve. In between they visited Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Dublin, Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
, Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Castlebar
Castlebar
Castlebar is the county town of, and at the centre of, County Mayo in Ireland. It is Mayo's largest town by population. The town's population exploded in the late 1990s, increasing by one-third in just six years, though this massive growth has slowed down greatly in recent years...
and Ennis
Ennis
Ennis is the county town of Clare in Ireland. Situated on the River Fergus, it lies north of Limerick and south of Galway. Its name is a shortening of the original ....
.
They played an open-air concert in Galway for the Volvo Ocean Race
Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race is a yacht race around the world, held every three years. It is named after its current owner, Volvo...
Festival on the 5 June 2009.
Studio albums
- Paradise in the Picturehouse (1990)
- Once Around The World (1992)
- Milking the Hits (1994)
Singles
- "Got To Get Away" (1988), Chart placement: Number 17
- "Half Past Two" (1988), Chart Placement: Number 19
- "Romeo's On Fire" (1989), Chart Placement: Number 24
- "Merry Christmas Baby" (1990), Chart Placement: Number 24
- "Heads (Are Gonna Roll)" (1991), Chart Placement: Number 5
- "Everything That Rises" (1992), Chart Placement: Number 6
- "She's On My Mind" (1992), Chart Placement: Number 12
- "Mr. Ginger" (1992), Chart Placement: Number 22
- "Deja Voodoo EP" (1993), Chart Placement: Number 8