In the Deadwood days of p2p it was really surprising what oddities you could find. Like this choice cut from the Psychedelic Furs, recorded for the King Biscuit Flour Hour.
The Furs were one of the big post-punk bands to come out of Britain and embodied both a music and attitude that exists to this day (I'm pointing at you, Lilly Allen). That is, the music is good but these people joined bands to get out of work. Touring Britain, which is probably like touring California in terms of size, does not prepare them for the enormity of the USA. Suddenly, this music lark looks like serious work.
"Pretty In Pink" perfectly captures a moment in time - no wonder it became the title of an iconic teen movie. But chuck that baggage aside and wrap your ears around this moment in an East Coast club. What a song! The band's indifference to America is all over it - oh yeah, we Brits were sooo superior with our new modern sounds while you Yanks were mired in disco and Van Halen - but about halfway through the song's strength overpowers them and the band really dig into it.
The Furs made another fabulous song - 'Love My Way' - and gave it the perfect 80s video. When an academic writes his dissertation on MTV: The Glory Years, he should definitely be watching this video.
Amazingly, the band still exists.
My Trusted MOGs
Excellent band, saw them in Brighton, in 1987 when they had a bit of a resurgence. Although, the date was cancelled once and then rescheduled, possibly due to poor ticket sales. I always loved the saxaphone arrangements on the songs.
My Trusted MOGs
Allow me to express love for "Mr. Jones" - especially the single version (an alternate and better take than the one on the album). That and "Here Come Cowboys" are still like musical meth to me.
My Trusted MOGs
long live john hughes! pretty in pink is a classic film with a classic soundtrack. i know the furs are still around, how are they doing with public interest and gigging?
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On YouTube is an audience video from what is clearly a recent gig. The audience size is about a thousand, so still doing pretty well.
My Trusted MOGs
Love the song, and the group. Even better is the work that was done with Love Spit Love, I thought that band was way underrated, and wish they would have put out more music
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Yeah, RobinH, I saw them on that tour as well playing the tiny Powerhouse in Islington (London). A girl friend dragged me along and it seemed to go on for ever...(Funny what you do for lust...)
My Trusted MOGs
In "Pretty in Pink" I like how the sound of the electric guitar in the background sounds like a cross between a swarm of bees and a chainsaw. Good tunes. MOG is slowly catching me up on the 80's.
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i haven't heard it in ages, but the psych furs song "The Ghost in You" is kinda cool.
My Trusted MOGs
i always keep their greatest hits cd in my car...Love them....