The Honeymoon is Over

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "The Honeymoon Is Over" by The Cruel Sea, a track from their 1993 album of the same name, for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This song, a gritty anthem of a relationship gone sour, has some wild stories behind it. Tex Perkins, the band’s charismatic frontman, revealed in an interview that the song’s core lines—"Gonna send you back to wherever the hell it was you came. Then I'm gonna get this tattoo changed to another girl's name"—were inspired by a real-life encounter. He met a guy grappling with the dilemma of a tattooed ex-girlfriend’s name, now a problem with a new partner demanding her name inked instead. This raw, relatable tale fueled the song’s biting lyrics, which hit number 41 on the ARIA Charts and snagged both Best Song and Best Single at the 1994 ARIA Music Awards. It also landed at number 9 on the Triple J Hottest 100 in 1993, the highest-ranking Australian track that year.

Another tidbit comes from the recording process, where producer Tony Cohen noted the band’s dynamic tension. Guitarist Dan Rumour pushed for sweet, melodic guitar sounds, while Perkins wanted a tougher, grittier edge, reflecting their roots in the raw energy of bands like Beasts of Bourbon. Cohen described the album’s creation as a balancing act, with initial recordings done by just Rumour and James Cruickshank before the full band brought it to life over three one-week sessions. Perkins admitted he’d get bored in the studio, preferring quick recordings over meticulous mixing, which gave the track its unpolished, authentic vibe. The song’s Cajun-tinged, rootsy feel, blending Elvis Sun Sessions twang and Tom Waits-inspired growl, set it apart from their earlier surf-rock instrumentals, cementing its place as a fan favorite, especially during the band’s 2023 30th-anniversary tour announced after Perkins teased fans with a cryptic social media post: “The honeymoon ain’t over baby.”

The Cruel Sea kicked off in Sydney in late 1987 as an instrumental outfit, with Jim Elliott on drums and Dan Rumour (aka Daniel Atkins) on guitar, channeling surf-rock vibes. By 1988, Ken Gormly joined on bass, and James Cruickshank added keyboards and guitars, fleshing out their sound. The game-changer came in 1989 when they invited Tex Perkins, already a force in Beasts of Bourbon and his solo work, to join them on stage. His deep, weathered vocals transformed the band, adding a bluesy, rock edge that made them stand out. Signing with Red Eye Records, they dropped their debut album, Down Below, in December 1989, followed by This Is Not the Way Home in 1991. But it was The Honeymoon Is Over in 1993, produced with Tony Cohen and Mick Harvey of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, that catapulted them to fame, peaking at number 4 on the ARIA Albums Chart and selling over 140,000 copies. The band’s raw, authentic sound and Perkins’ larger-than-life presence made them a 90s Aussie rock staple, winning five ARIA Awards in 1994.

Fans can keep up with The Cruel Sea through their official website and social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For Zoo Freaks looking to connect with other fans, check out the The Cruel Sea Fan Club on Facebook, a lively group where fans share memories, tour updates, and love for the band’s swampy grooves. Another gem is the fan-run Tex Perkins site, which dives deep into Perkins’ career, including his work with The Cruel Sea, complete with discographies and rare photos.