On the first of January 1983 the now five piece Fair Exchange went down to Studio Fiona in Fermoy to record 2 original songs – “Beach Party” and “Stormy Night”. Although they had previously recorded a rough live demo of “Beach Party” this would be their first proper visit to the recording process. Having recorded what they thought were the songs that would make them a household name, they started sending copies to record companies and radio stations all over the country. They believed that it was only a matter of time before “Beach Party” would be out as their debut single and that it would all take off from there. “Beach Party” would indeed feature on a single but that would eventually happen 23 years later in 2006.
Throughout the first 3 months of 1983 they continued to perform around the South Tipperary area and secured a number of gigs supporting Brush Shiels around the County. However at the end of April Declan O Dwyer quit the band (When he got a serious offer to turn professional and join The Glen Curtain Band).
Fair Exchange at Studio Fiona in Fermoy 1/1/1983. Standing left to right Johnny Casey, Brian O Reilly (producer) Joe Shine, Charlie O’Neill, Pat Keogh (engineer) Seated Alan Harris and Declan O’Dwyer
