Formation and early years (1989–1992)

History

In 1989, brothers Mike (bass) and Noel (guitar) Hogan formed The Cranberry Saw Us with drummer Fergal Lawler and singer Niall Quinn, in Limerick, Ireland. Less than a year later, Quinn left the band.The remaining band members then placed an advertisement for a female singer. Dolores O'Riordan responded to the advertisement and auditioned by writing lyrics and melodies to some existing demos.When she returned with a rough version of "Linger", the group hired her.

After hiring O'Riordan, the band started recording a home-made demo tape, of which 300 copies were sold. Changing their name to The Cranberries, the band sent another demo tape, which featured early versions of both "Linger" and "Dreams," to record companies throughout the UK. The tape was recorded at the Xeric studios, which was run by Pearse Gilmore, who would later become their manager.

The demo tape earned the attention of both the UK press and record industry and sparked a bidding war between major British record labels. Eventually, the group signed with Island Records.The Cranberries headed back into studio with Gilmore as their producer to record their first EP, "Uncertain." The title proved to be prophetic as they did sound ill at ease, leading to poor reviews in the press. This led to tension between the group and Gilmore. After a disastrous recording sessions intended for their first Island records album in January 1992, the band scrapped their work and fired Gilmore. After hiring Geoff Travis as their new manager, The Cranberries headed back into studio in Dublin in March 1992 to restart working on their first LP with Stephen Street, who had previously worked with The Smiths.

During that time period, The Cranberries toured in Ireland and the UK, getting the attention of the British press. The band also recorded several studio and live sessions intended for Irish and British radio and television shows, including 2fm's The Dave Fanning Show and BBC Radio 1's John Peel Show.