The Psychedelic Rock Band You Need to Know
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The Psychedelic Furs are a band you need to know about. With a unique sound that blends elements of punk, new wave, and rock, they’re a band that truly stands out. If you’re looking for something new and exciting, make sure to give them a listen.
The Psychedelic Furs- a brief history
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in London in February 1977. The initial musical style of the band was inspired by punk rock, new wave and protopunk. However, their sound soon shifted to a more refined form of post-punk and new wave that drew influence from Madonna, Siouxsie and the Banshees, David Bowie, Roxy Music and Talking Heads, among others.
The Psychedelic Furs releases their self-titled debut album in July 1980. It is met with lukewarm reception but the single “Sister Europe” quickly becomes a college radio favorite. The album’s unique sound – blending elements of punk, pop and psychedelia – sets them apart from their contemporaries and cements their status as one of the pioneering bands of the ’80s post-punk/new wave movement.
In 1981, the band releases their second album, Talk Talk Talk. The lead single “Pretty in Pink” becomes a cult classic soon after its release due to its use in the film of the same name. The song propels the album to commercial success and establishes the Psychedelic Furs as one of the most successful bands of the ’80s new wave scene.
The band goes on to release six more albums over the next two decades – including Mirror Moves (1984), Midnight to Midnight (1987) and Book of Days (1989) – before going on hiatus in 1991. They briefly reunite in 2000 for a greatest hits tour but do not release any new material until 14 years later with their eighth studio album, Wonderful World (2014).
Despite never achieving widespread mainstream success, the Psychedelic Furs are considered one of the most influential bands of their era. Their unique blend of punk attitude, pop hooks and swirling psychedelia has left a lasting impression on generations of musicians and continues to inspire new artists to this day.
The Psychedelic Furs- the music
The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band founded in 1977. Led by singer Richard Butler and his brother Tim Butler on bass guitar, the Psychedelic Furs originally began as an art-punk group. By 1979, they had added John Ashton on guitar, Duncan Kilburn on saxophone and Venezuelan-born Paul Garisto on drums.
The band’s 1980 debut album was financed by EMI after the success of The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry”. Released in March 1980, it was produced by Steve Lillywhite. The album was not a commercial success, however “Sister Europe” and “Imagination” were radio hits.
By 1981, The Psychedelic Furs had been dropped by EMI. They released their second album, Talk Talk Talk (produced by Steve Lillywhite), in 1982 to positive reviews but little commercial success. A single from the album, “Into You Like a Train”, gained some college radio play but quickly disappeared from the charts. However, John Hughes used it for his film Sixteen Candles (1984), which helped raise the band’s profile in America.
The Psychedelic Furs re-released “Talk Talk Talk” in the USA with a new cover design after signing with Columbia Records in 1984 after the film’s release helped increase interest and sales. It remained their last US Top 40 hit until 1992’s “Forever Now”.
The Psychedelic Furs- the legacy
Formed in 1977, The Psychedelic Furs are an English rock band that was part of the post-punk and new wave movements. They are best known for their hit single “Love My Way,” which became a Top 10 hit in the UK and US. The band has released eight studio albums, the most recent being 2016’s “Hesitation.”
The Psychedelic Furs have been praised for their stylish blend of rock and pop music, as well as their dark and atmospheric sound. Their music has been used in many films and television shows, including “The Breakfast Club,” “Stranger Things,” and “Twin Peaks.”
The band is currently made up of brothers Richard Butler (vocals) and Tim Butler (bass), along with guitarist Mars Williams, drummer Paul Garisto, and keyboardist Amanda Kramer.
