With no doubt one of the longest and most successful careers in the Post-Punk genre, Siouxsie and The Banshees has an impressive musical background and a style to match. With a career spanning over a thirty year period Siouxsie and The Banshees, has had plenty of time to perfect their artistic and exotic sound. Originally formed in 1976 by lead vocalist Siouxsie Sioux (born Susan Dallion). The band’s original musicians emerged from a somewhat obscure Sex Pistol-loving band named, “the Bromley Contingent.” Punk, being increasingly popular with the masses at the time, was a major influence on The Banshees, and similar acoustics were used in most of there earlier albums.
During the September of 1976, Susan Dallion decided to adopt the name Siouxsie Sioux and officially formed the Banshees. The band consisted of bassist Steve Severin, and Guitarist Marco Perroni, and drummer John Simon Ritchie, also known as the Sex Pistols’ original bassist, Sid Vicious. Siouxsie and The Banshees later debuted that year at the London’s 100 club.
However the contribution of two of the band members was put to a halt when, Sid Vicious left the Banshees to join The Sex Pistols, and Marco Perroni decided to pursue a career with Adam and The Ants. After the departure of Perroni and Vicious, the Banshees’ remaining members continued on, Sioux and Severin added a new guitarist and drummer, John McKay and Kenny Morris.
The Banshees had their first taste of fame when their debut single, “Hong Kong Garden” ranked high on the UK Top Ten. Later that year the Banshees made their first Live Performance of “The Scream” However, in 1979 in a tour promoting their new album “Join Hands,” both McKay and Morris abruptly left the band, however in a famous union, lead vocalist Robert Smith of The Cure took the role for a short time as the Banshees’ guitarist. The Cure was also on tour with the Banshees at the time and was their opening act. Also Budgie (Former Slits and Big in Japan band member) took the role as the Banshees’ drummer. Although Smith eventually returned to The Cure he would continue to collaborate with The Banshees in years to come. On the other hand Budgie remained as the Banshees’ drummer for the rest of the band’s career.
John McGeoch, former Magazine band member signed on as the Banshees’ guitarist (to fill the space left by Smith and McKay). In 1980 the band produced the album “Kaleidoscope“, which signaled a change in The Banshees style, it being more soft and smooth than previous albums. There next album “Happy House” ranked number 5 on the U.K.’s Top 20. 1981 one was a busy year, with the release of perhaps The Banshees most gothic album “Juju,” more notably, however, was the formation of The Creatures, a side project of Sioux and Budgie. Following the release of yet another experimental album (“A Kiss in the Dreamhouse“) by The Banshees in 1982, guitarist John McGeoch fell ill, and Robert Smith once again came to the rescue and took his place in an upcoming tour. Also in 1983, the album “Nocturne,” was then recorded and released after a few live performances in London’s Royal Albert Hall. During that same year Robert Smith and longtime Siouxsie bassist Steve Severin made a small side project called, The Glove, for the performance of “Blue Sunshine.”
In 1984 after the release of “Hyena“, Smith left the band and John McGeoch, have recovered from his illness had decided to part ways with the Banshees’ so, ex-Clock DVA guitarist John Carruthers took the role as the Banshees’ guitarist.
In 1986 with the release of, “Tinderbox” for the first time ever Siouxsie and The Banshees got on the U.S. Top 100. Then in 1987 the band released an all covers album “Through the Looking Glass” which, by the way, featured an excellent rendition of the Jungle Book’s “Trust in Me.” After the release of the album, guitarist John Carruthers left the band and was replaced by Jon Klein a former Specimen band member, and also a new addition was made to the band, Martin McCarrick brought the keyboard to the Banshees, and in 1988 a Techno inspired album, “Peep Show” was release, and a hit single “Peek-A-Boo” was the first of the Banshees’ U.S. singles.
1991, was the year Siouxsie and Budge were married. The Lollapalooza tour was then founded in which the Banshees played, and their most successful LP,”Superstition” was made. “Kiss them for me” one of there U.S. Singles ranked in the U.S. Top 40’s. Following in 1992, a single’s collection, “Twice upon a Time,” was made.
After a three year long absence, the Banshees produced their final album, “The Rapture,” Then decided to say goodbye after a reunion tour of their idols, The Sex Pistols.
While being one of the longest running Post/British Punk bands, Siouxsie and The Banshees, was also a favorite of the Goth crowd and had quite a following, while they certainly have a gothic tune to them, they no doubt were influenced and advertised with the occasional addition of Robert Smith to the band.
Bio written by: TheVampireArmand |
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