The Cherry Bombs

**The Cherry Bombs** was a Lashardian five-piece girl group from Ubenmoor. The group consisted of vocalists Dasha Franköforson, Lara Bergöklem, Marina Helenöporm, Sabina Charköglas, and Srdana Eriköhemsli. They are often credited with being "the first Lashpop girl group".

The group was formed in 1979 and were signed to Akai Music Group the following year. Their debut single, "Somebody", was released in 1981 and became a number-one hit in four countries. Their debut studio album, *Ignition*, was released later in the year and was certified 4x platinum in Lashardia. They went on to release one more album in 1983, before splitting up in 1984 to pursue solo careers.

The group has reunited once following their 1984 breakup, after being inducted into the Lashardian Music Hall of Fame in 2008. All members of the band have went on to have successful solo careers.

## History

### 1979–1982: Formation, breakthrough, and *Ignition*

Franköforson and Eriköhemsli grew up together in Dragonstone, Ubenmoor and formed The Cherry Bombs when they were ten years old in 1970. They would perform concerts together in their backyards for family and friends. However, after about a year the two forgot about the band and it unofficially disbanded.

In 1979, Franköforson and Eriköhemsli were sharing an apartment in Tenichi and struggling with their music careers, while working as cashiers at a supermarket. They remembered The Cherry Bombs and decided to restart it as a girl group, recruiting their close friends Bergöklem, Helenöporm, and Charköglas into the band.

The group soon began performing gigs throughout Ubenmoor, until being signed by Akai Music Group in 1980. In September 1980, they released their debut single, "Somebody". The song became a smash hit, reaching number-one in four countries. Their debut studio album, *Ignition*, was later released the following year, and became the best-selling album of 1981. It also produced the hit singles "Scream (As Loud as You Can)", "Rumors", and "Nostalgia".

### 1982–1984: *CB* and breakup

In 1982, rumors arose of the group's possible breakup due to Franköforson and Eriköhemsli's desire to pursue solo careers. However, when asked about the rumors, all five members of the group dismissed them as fiction and that they'd begun work on their second studio album.

The album's lead single "Vacation", was released in autumn 1982. The song was a massive success, and peaked in the top three of six countries' singles chart. Their second studio album, *CB*, was released in early-1983. It peaked at number-one in three countries, and was certified diamond in Lashardia. The album also produced the hit singles "We Got It" and "Monday".

Rumors of a possible breakup resurfaced after the abrupt cancelation of their Asmatys-wide tour to promote *CB*. Many news stories began reporting that Franköforson and Eriköhemsli had signed solo recording contracts and that the other band members were furious. In 1984, the group confirmed that they had split up.

## Members

* Dasha Franköforson – main vocals
* Lara Bergöklem – vocals
* Marina Helenöporm – vocals, guitar
* Sabina Charköglas – vocals
* Srdana Eriköhemsli – main vocals

## Discography

### Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions, sales figures and certifications
* Format: LP, cassette
* ADR: Platinum
* CON: Platinum
* SOD: 3x platinum
 1983
* Format: LP, cassette, CD
* ADR: Platinum
* CON: Platinum
* SOD: 4x platinum
* PES: 4x platinum