The Cherry Boys were an English new wave band from Liverpool, England. The Cherry Boys formed in 1980. They are most notable for the single "Kardomah Cafe", which missed the UK Singles Chart, but was a top 10 hit in Spain. The band consisted of John Byrne (aka John Cherry) on vocals and guitar, James Hughes on vocals and keyboards, Keith Gunson (previously of Revolver) on vocals and bass, and Howie Minns on drums. Icicle Works drummer Chris Sharrock was part of the band early on, and appeared on their first single "Man to Man."
The Cherry Boys achieved a significant local following. They won the BBC Radio Merseyside award for Best Local Band in 1982. In the same year they also won best band (and individual musician awards) in the local popular magazine, The End. The band signed with Satril and released four singles and an E.P entitled "Give It Rice".
Following the band's split in 1984, Hughes and Minns went on to form Exhibit B (which released the "It’s Hypothetical" single, and album Playing Dead, which was re-released in Japan in 2007). Hughes is now the main writer/musician in the James Clarke Five, whose album, Fly My Pretties Fly!, was released in 2008. John Byrne, the band's chief songwriter, joined The La's and played lead guitar on their international hit "There She Goes". Byrne is now an acclaimed classical guitarist. Chris Sharrock (the original Cherry Boys drummer) also joined The La's at the same time. Sharrock had previously played with The Icicle Works and subsequently, Lightning Seeds and Oasis.
Links to Peel[]
Peel seemed to have discovered the group in 1982 and so impressed by their material that he invited the band to do two sessions for his shows during that year. After the group split in 1984, Peel kept his interest in Hughes and Minns follow up group, Exhibit B, which he played tracks from on his programmes in 1986.
Sessions[]
THE CHERRY BOYS John Peel 20th March 1982
1. Recorded: 1982-03-20. First Broadcast: 06 April 1982. Repeated: 29 April 1982
- Why Don't You Write / Don't Leave Me That Way / Come The Day / Kardomah Cafe
2. Recorded: 1982-08-16. First Broadcast: 02 September 1982. Repeated: 21 December 1982
- Only Fools Die / In The Dark / Nightmare / I'll Keep On Movin'
Other Shows Played[]
- 17 March 1983: Kardomah Cafe (7") Crash
- 22 June 1983: Kardomah Café (12") Crash
- Exhibit B
- 13 May 1986: Who Killed The Smile? (12") Exhibit B
- 09 September 1986: It's Hypothetical (7") Exhibit B