In 1989, The Cruel Sea made their mark on the Australian music scene with their debut album, Down Below. The album introduced fans to the band's distinctive sound, setting them apart in the Australian music landscape.
By 1991, their second album, This Is Not The Way Home, solidified The Cruel Sea as a force to be reckoned with. Fronted by the charismatic Tex Perkins and backed by a band brimming with talent, this album reached Platinum status and earned two ARIA Award nominations. Relentless touring and undeniable musical prowess saw the band gain widespread recognition.
In 1993, The Cruel Sea reached new heights with their groundbreaking third album, The Honeymoon Is Over. Achieving triple Platinum status, the album stayed in the ARIA Top 50 for a full year and ranked among the Top 40 best-selling albums of both 1993 and 1994. The record won five ARIA Awards from ten nominations and delivered timeless hits like "Seems Twice," "Woman With Soul," and "Black Stick." The title track, "The Honeymoon Is Over," became their most commercially successful anthem.
Following this success, Three Legged Dog (1995) debuted at #1 on the charts and featured the hit single "Better Get A Lawyer," which ranked #14 on triple j's Hottest 100. The band continued releasing acclaimed albums, including Over Easy (1998) and Where There's Smoke (2001).
The band has since toured sporadically, but 2015 marked a somber moment with the loss of guitarist and keyboardist James Cruickshank, an integral member of The Cruel Sea.
Fast forward to mid-2023: the band celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Honeymoon Is Over with a special vinyl release and a planned five-show tour. Thanks to overwhelming demand, this tour expanded to 13 sold-out shows nationwide.
During this reunion, The Cruel Sea quietly crafted a new album, their first in 23 years. Titled Straight Into The Sun, the album is set to release on March 7, 2025, featuring the classic lineup of Jim Elliott (drums), Ken Gormly (bass), Tex Perkins (vocals), Dan Rumour (guitar), and long-time collaborator Matt Walker (guitar). Produced by the band and Roger Bergodaz, the album was recorded at Melbourne's Soundpark and Union Street Studios.
Roger Bergodaz expressed his admiration for the band:
"It was an honor to step into a role formerly held by Tony Cohen, a personal hero of mine. My goal was to capture the band's raw quality and unique groove, from Jim Elliott's signature drum feel to Tex Perkins' powerful vocals."