27 April 2014

Frank Kearns Bio

Frank Kearns, is a contemporary and former schoolmate of , founder and guitarist of Pic below of Frankie Corpse and legendary rock band Cactus World News, the Undertakers play with U2 whose debut to date has sold over a ( underneath) in Mount Temple quarter of a million copies worldwide. 1979. Frank Kearns first from He began his musical career as the lead guitarist with seminal Dublin North side band ‘FRANKIE CORPSE AND THE UNDERTAKERS’, formed in 1976 with fellow Mount Temple pupil Neil McCormick, author of book and screenplay for “Killing ”. During this period his band would often support the nascent U2 and as a close friend of Larry Mullen Jnr he would often hang out with U2 during Wednesday school Rehearsals also witnessing their first ever recording in Keystone Studios –read The Unforgettable Fire Book by Eamon Dunphy.

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After Frankie Corpse and the Undertakers were, ahem, laid to rest in 1977, Kearns formed THE FAST (world’s first tribute band) then came THE MYSTERMEN (1979) who supported U2 on their first Irish Tour, followed by BLUE RUSSIA (1980) and CACTUS WORLD NEWS (1984-1991)released two studio on MCA/ Universal and had chart success in Britain and Europe also scoring a number one US college radio hit with “The Bridge”. Name checked on MTV by Lou Reed as one of his favourite bands and given the Joey Ramone seal of approval at a NY Ritz show, the band continued to tour and record until taking a hiatus in 1991.

In 1992 Kearns went on to found Ireland’s first ever Rockschool The Frank Kearns Rockschool (Aka SALT Rockschool) to encourage young rockers in the world of music. Keith Moss, DJ Kormac and Indie legends Ghost Estates band are just a few of the notable alumni. The first guitar student of Frank’s was Larry Mullen Jnr. He currently teaches guitar and songwriting/ creativity.

Kearns also continues to create and perform. Walking the Waves album was his first solo album released in 2006 and he has recently played electric guitar with Australian ARIA award winning band, The Church on their last album (“Untitled #22”) and is collaborating in Sydney, with The Church’s

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Lead Singer Steve Kilbey on a new original project to be released this year.

Playing all the guitars and producing the actor Colin Farrell’s debut single (I fought the Law) for the movie Intermission elevated his status as a . His SALT recording Studio in North Dublin has recorded top artists including Sinead O Connor and Damien Rice.

Kearns also collaborated with Briana Corrigan’s (from the Beautiful South) recent solo album “Red”

In motion picture …young actor David Fennelly plays the role of a young Frank Kearns in the movie “Killing Bono” (Universal Pictures 2011) acting Kearns’s early days with U2 in Mount Temple School.

Currently as co owner of Red Coral Records, he is releasing a rare album of unreleased Cactus World News material via the Pledgemusic platform.

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For all enquires Contact : [email protected] www.rockschool.ie

+353-1-8395969 ( Land)

+353-87-2765754 ( Cell/ mobile) https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Cactus-World-News-Official/ 1713841628840909

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The- Frank-Kearns-Rockschool/ 214700206673

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