The Driven

History

Before forming The Driven in 1987 (then called The Drive), Brendan Markham had been the frontman of Rathkeale's first modern rock group, A Clockwork Orange, which included Noel O'Shea, Niall Mooney, and Peter O'Connor. After that group split around 1985, Brendan left for Greece. Upon returning in 1987, he approached Pat Madigan, Ned Kennedy, and Noel Brennan to start a new band, and The Drive was born. Their first gig was supporting Cloud 9 at the 1987 Rathkeale Soccer Club annual dinner. They later won a talent show in Foynes, earning £100. Local milkman Ollie Hartnett became their manager and entered them in the 1988 Heineken Search for a Star competition during the Rose of Tralee festival, which they won, receiving £1000. After parting with Hartnett, the band placed third in the Hot Press band of 1989 competition at Sir Henry's in Cork City and secured a summer residency at Kiely's bar in Ballybunion. Their first demo was recorded at Limerick's Xeric studios by Pearse Gilmore, who later helped The Cranberries secure their first recording contract. Over subsequent years, the band changed lineup and recorded further demos at Xeric but attracted little beyond local interest.