By bringing together two very different influences, almost like adding oil to water, The Cruel Sea created a style of rock which extended Australian rock & roll culture and, at the same time, made them one of the most successful Australian groups of the '90s.

The instrumentals-only Cruel Sea played its first gigs in 1988, setting up behind the pool table at a hotel in Sydney. Operating the lighting at some of those performances was moonlighting Beasts of Bourbon singer Tex Perkins.

It wasn't until a party a few months later that the Cruel Sea and Perkins were formally introduced. Already an Australian music legend for his rock & roll swagger, the Cruel Sea couldn't have wished for anyone more qualified or interesting than Perkins.