The Cruel Sea formed in Sydney in 1985 with Tex Perkins on vocals and harmonica, James Cruickshank on guitar, Nick Reykdal on bass, and Peter Blakeley on drums. Their debut album 'Down Below' came out in 1989 and included the single 'Too Fast For Me,' which got regular play on Australian radio.
Blakeley left the band in 1991 and was replaced by drummer Jim Manzie. They kept recording through the early 1990s with albums like 'She Rides Wild Horses' in 1992 and 'The Honeymoon Is Over' in 1994. Other songs from that period include 'A Simple Goodbye' and 'Better Get A Lawyer.'
In 1995, Perkins was arrested for marijuana possession, which created some public attention around the band. They released 'Three Legged Dog' the following year. Their music drew from rock, blues, and country, and other Australian artists have covered some of their songs.
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