The Psychedelic Furs may not have invented rock & roll per se, but their influence since arriving on the post-punk scorchedearth landscape four decades ago has reverberated and resonated among all those who cherish the sweet-and-sour spot where rawness and romanticism meet. Born out of the UK post-punk scene and led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler, and his bass-wielding brother Tim, the Furs quickly developed as one of the premiere bands at college and alternative radio scoring a flurry of major hits with "Love My Way," "Pretty In Pink," "Heaven," "The Ghost In You," and “Heartbreak Beat” in all releasing eight studio albums, spawning several compilations, a boxed set, a live concert DVD and inspiring one of the most iconic motion picture soundtracks of all time.
Decades later, their latest release “Made Of Rain” charted in a multitude of countries and became the Furs’ second highest ranked UK Album ever. It was prominently featured in the end of year “Best Albums” chart roundup in dozens of publications worldwide. But, the Furs especially thrive live in concert having headlined at the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival, and more recently at esteemed venues including the Hollywood Bowl, London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and Nashville’s Grand ‘Ole Opry among others. With a dazzling live show, they continue to tour quite regularly across the globe.
The Psychedelic Furs touring lineup remains Richard Butler (vocals); Tim Butler (bass); Rich Good (guitar); Amanda Kramer (keyboards) and Zachary Alford (drums).
One of the most influential bands of their generation and beyond, The Jesus and Mary Chain mark their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes. Released by Fuzz Club and distributed by Cooking Vinyl, this is the band’s first studio album since Damage And Joy (2017).
The exact point of any band’s inception is hard to pin down, but for Jim, the ‘wish’ crystallised into reality one night in June 1984: “I always think it was the day we played our first show, because up until then the whole idea had been kind of abstract, it didn’t feel real. When we played in London, there were only about six people watching, but I remember thinking, ‘That’s it. The band is born’.”
The new album was recorded at the Scottish band Mogwai’s studio Castle of Doom in Glasgow: “we quite liked the idea of a title that suggested that we were kind of returning home to where it all started,” says Jim. As for their creative process, the Reid brothers approach the studio in the way they always have. “It’s remarkably the same as it was in 1984,” says Jim. “Just hit the studio and see what happens. We went in with a bunch of songs and let it takes its course. There are no rules, you just do whatever it takes. And there’s a telepathy there - we are those weird not-quite twins that finish each other’s sentences.”