the Psychedelic Furs

Richard Butler stated that the Psychedelic Furs began rehearsing in his family's front room but were soon banished because of the noise.{{cite web|url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/love-their-way/Content?oid=3795986|title=Love Their Way: The Psychedelic Furs will take the Rialto stage providing a look back on college rock memories|date=30 May 2013|author=Armstrong, Gene|access-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401005401/http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tucson/love-their-way/Content?oid=3795986|archive-date=1 April 2016|df=dmy-all}} The band was initially called RKO, then Radio. They later vacillated between calling themselves the Europeans and the Psychedelic Furs, playing gigs under both names before permanently settling on the latter.{{cite book |author=Thompson, Dave|author-link1=Dave Thompson (author)|title=Beautiful Chaos|publisher=Helter Skelter Publishing|date=2004|isbn=1-900924-47-1}} The word psychedelic was chosen to separate the band from punk rockers who ostentatiously scorned the legacy of 1960s rock music.{{Cite magazine |last=Holdship |first=Bill |date=February 1983 |title=The Psychedelic Furs: Sugar Cubes For The New Depression |url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/the-psychedelic-furs-sugar-cubes-for-the-new-depression |magazine=Creem |access-date=8 August 2019 |via=Rock's Backpages |url-access=subscription }}

The band initially consisted of Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass guitar), Duncan Kilburn (saxophone), Paul Wilson (drums), and Roger Morris (guitars). By 1979, this line-up had expanded to a sextet with Vince Ely replacing Wilson on drums and John Ashton joining as a second guitarist. The Psychedelic Furs' debut, a self-titled album released in March 1980, was produced by Steve Lillywhite. The album quickly established the band on radio in Europe and was a No. 18 hit in the UK Albums Chart. The album also found success in Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia.

The Furs found success in the US with their next release, 1981's Talk Talk Talk, which saw the band making its debut on the US Billboard 200 chart. In the UK, the album yielded two charting singles, "Dumb Waiters" and the original version of "Pretty in Pink". The latter song served as inspiration for the 1986 John Hughes film Pretty in Pink and was re-recorded for the platinum-selling Pretty in Pink soundtrack – though Richard Butler was later adamant that the cinematic interpretation had very little to do with the song's original intent.{{cite web |url=http://thequietus.com/articles/05128-the-psychedelic-furs-interview-talk-talk-talk/ |title=All Of This And Nothing: The Psychedelic Furs on 'Talk Talk Talk' |author=Ogg, Alex |date=20 Oct 2010 |work=The Quietus |access-date=10 May 2011 }}

In 1982, the band was reduced to a quartet with the departures of Morris and Kilburn and moved to the U.S. in search of a producer.{{cite book

| title=Grande enciclopedia rock

| publisher=Giunti

|editor1=F. Guglielmi |editor2=C. Rizzi

| isbn=88-09-02852-X

| year =2002}} The band recorded their next album, Forever Now, with record producer Todd Rundgren in Woodstock, New York. Released in September 1982, this album contained "Love My Way", which became another UK chart entry, and also their first US Billboard Hot 100 single.

Ely left the band after Forever Now (though he would later return in 1988). The next album, Mirror Moves was produced by Keith Forsey (who also programmed the drums and became the band's drummer) and featured the songs "The Ghost in You" and "Heaven". Both charted in the UK and "Heaven" became the band's highest charting UK hit at the time, peaking at No. 29. Columbia Records opted for "Here Come Cowboys" for the corresponding US release which failed to chart but "The Ghost In You" was a hit on the Billboard Hot 100. In Canada, "The Ghost In You" also charted. Mirror Moves became a Top 20 album on the Canadian Albums Chart and was named the No. 1 album of 1984 by Toronto new wave radio station CFNY.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

File:RButler.jpg in 2006]]

By the mid-1980s, the band had become a staple on both US college radio and modern rock radio stations. Simultaneously, they were experiencing consistent mainstream success placing several singles in the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Still, according to biographer Dave Thompson, they would "have more impact on future musicians than they ever did in the marketplace."

In 1986, the band recorded a new version of "Pretty in Pink" for the film soundtrack. Released as a single, it became their biggest hit to date in the US and their biggest UK hit. Butler later claimed that the success of "Pretty in Pink" caused the band to be pressured into entering the recording studio with producer Chris Kimsey to record a follow-up release before they were ready. The result was Midnight to Midnight, their biggest Top 40 success to date, but an album that Richard Butler later characterised as "hollow, vapid and weak".{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/from-forever-to-a-cosmic-joke/2006/06/18/1150569205950.html?page=fullpage|title=From forever to a cosmic joke|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 June 2006|access-date=12 September 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807060105/http://www.smh.com.au/news/music/from-forever-to-a-cosmic-joke/2006/06/18/1150569205950.html?page=fullpage|archive-date=7 August 2017|df=dmy-all}} A more overtly commercial effort than their prior recordings, the album also featured the single "Heartbreak Beat", the Furs' biggest Top 40 hit in the US. The album also featured drummer Paul Garisto and saxophonist Mars Williams, both of whom toured with the band.

In the wake of Midnight to Midnight, Ely returned, and the Furs issued the single "All That Money Wants", a track recorded for the 1988 best-of compilation album All of This and Nothing. 1989's Book of Days, produced by the band and David M. Allen, featured the singles "Should God Forget" and "House". Produced by the band and Stephen Street, 1991's World Outside included the single "Until She Comes" and was the Furs' final studio album for more than two decades.{{cite book

| first= Martin C.

| last= Strong

| year= 2000

| title= The Great Rock Discography

| edition= 5th

| publisher= Mojo Books

| location= Edinburgh

| page= 779

| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}} From 1988 on, the Furs' singles had steady chart success with three No. 1 hits on the newly established US Modern Rock Tracks chart between 1988 and 1991. "All That Money Wants" was a No. 1 hit in 1988, while "House" topped the chart in 1990 and "Until She Comes" was No. 1 in 1991.

File:TButler.jpg in 2006]]

The band took a long break in the early 1990s, with Richard and Tim Butler going on to found Love Spit Love with Richard Fortus and Frank Ferrer (both of whom would later join Guns N' Roses). In 2000, Richard Butler, Tim Butler, and Ashton reformed the Psychedelic Furs. The touring lineup also included Fortus and, later, Ferrer. They released a live album, Beautiful Chaos: Greatest Hits Live ,{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-psychedelic-furs-mn0000418662/biography|title=The Psychedelic Furs biography|website=AllMusic|author=Ruhlmann, William|access-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160321121323/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-psychedelic-furs-mn0000418662/biography|archive-date=21 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} which included a new studio recording, "Alive (For Once in My Lifetime)".

In 2006, Richard Butler released a solo album, Richard Butler.{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/richard-butler-mn0000350900/biography|title=Richard Butler Biography|website=AllMusic|author=Monger, James Christopher|access-date=19 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20160319064931/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/richard-butler-mn0000350900/biography|archive-date=19 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} Since re-forming in 2001, the band continued to tour worldwide. The current Psychedelic Furs touring line-up includes Richard Butler, Tim Butler, Zack Alford, Amanda Kramer, and Rich Good.

In 2017, the band's 1984 single "The Ghost in You" was featured in the second season of Netflix hit series Stranger Things and was included on the Sony Music soundtrack companion to the season, Stranger Things: Music from the Netflix Original Series, released in October 2017.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=27 October 2017 |title=New "Stranger Things" soundtrack features classic songs by The Police, The Clash, Bon Jovi and more |url=http://wabx.net/news/articles/2017/oct/27/new-stranger-things-soundtrack-features-classic-songs-by-the-police-the-clash-bon-jovi-and-more/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406230440/http://wabx.net/news/articles/2017/oct/27/new-stranger-things-soundtrack-features-classic-songs-by-the-police-the-clash-bon-jovi-and-more/ |archive-date=6 April 2018 |access-date=4 May 2018 |website=WABX 107.5 |df=dmy-all}} That same year, the band's 1982 single "Love My Way" was played several times in the Oscar-nominated film Call Me by Your Name.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/call-me-by-your-names-glorious-dance-floor-scene/549272/|title=The Hidden Meanings of the Dance-Floor Scene in 'Call Me by Your Name'|first=Brandon|last=Tensley|website=theatlantic.com|date=2 January 2018|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408012512/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/01/call-me-by-your-names-glorious-dance-floor-scene/549272/|archive-date=8 April 2018|df=dmy-all}}

The Psychedelic Furs released their eighth studio album Made of Rain on 31 July 2020 to positive reviews. This release marked the first full-length studio album by the band since 1991's World Outside. It became the band's second-highest charting UK Album ever and featured at the end-of-year Best Albums roundup in Mojo, Uncut, Classic Pop, ABC's Good Morning America, and Vive Le Rock among others. "Don't Believe", the first single from the album was released on 20 January 2020. It was followed by "You'll Be Mine", "No-One" and "Come All Ye Faithful", each with an official video.

On 1 March 2021, the band released the official video for Made of Rain's fifth single "Wrong Train". It premiered exclusively on NME.com and was inspired by Richard Butler's paintings. He starred in the video himself.

The Strokes' Grammy Award-winning album The New Abnormal (2020) featured the song "Eternal Summer" which quotes the Furs' "The Ghost in You", for which songwriters Richard and Tim Butler received songwriting credits.

On 1 September 2021, two weeks before the Made of Rain Tour kicked-off, the band released a new single "Evergreen", from the Made of Rain sessions. According to Richard Butler it is about "memory and the passing of time."{{Cite web |date=2021-09-02 |title=The Psychedelic Furs release new song 'Evergreen' |url=https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/the-psychedelic-furs-new-song-evergreen/ |access-date=2023-02-16 |website=faroutmagazine.co.uk |language=en-US}}

Richard Butler co-wrote songs with Martin Gore for Depeche Mode's fifteenth studio album Memento Mori (2023), including the lead single "Ghosts Again".

Saxophonist Mars Williams died on 20 November 2023.{{cite web |last1=Edgar |first1=Hannah |title=Mars Williams, saxophonist for Psychedelic Furs, is dead at 68 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/ct-ent-saxophonist-mars-williams-dies-20231120-sp3llpj37rbg3hyyeex4prwoi4-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=21 November 2023 |date=20 November 2023}}

File:Richard Butler of The Psychedelic Furs live in Manchester 2010.jpg|R. Butler

File:TButler.jpg|T. Butler

File:Amanda Kramer Wikipedia Picture.jpg|Kramer

File:RichGood(by Scott Dudelson).jpg|Good

File:President Bill Clinton speaks with David Bowie and his band (cropped) B.jpg|Alford

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current

• Richard Butler – vocals (1977–1992, 2000–present)
• Tim Butler – bass (1977–1992, 2000–present)
• Amanda Kramer – keyboards (2002–present)
• Rich Good – guitars (2009–present)
• Zack Alford – drums (2021–present)

{{col-2}}

Former members and Touring musicians

• Duncan Kilburn – saxophone, keyboards (1977–1982)
• Roger Morris – lead and rhythm guitar (1977–1982)
• Paul Wilson – drums (1977–1978)
• John Ashton – lead and rhythm guitar (1979–1992, 2000–2008)
• Vince Ely – drums (1979–1982, 1988–1990)
• Phill Calvert– drums (1982–1983)
• Ann Sheldon – cello (1982–1983)
• Gary Windo – saxophone (1982–1983)
• Ed Buller - keyboards (1982–1985)
• Mars Williams – saxophone (1983–1989, 2005–2023; his death)
• Mike Mooney – rhythm guitar (1984–1985)
• Paul Garisto – drums (1984–1988, 2009–2020)
• Marty Williamson – rhythm guitar (1986–1987)
• Roger O'Donnell – keyboards (1986–1987)
• Joe McGinty – keyboards (1989–1991)
• Knox Chandler – rhythm guitar, cello (1990–1991)
• Don Yallech – drums (1990–1992)
• Richard Fortus – rhythm and lead guitar (2000–2002, 2024-2025)
• Earl Harvin – drums (2000–2001)
• Frank Ferrer – drums (2001–2008)

{{col-end}}

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

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id:bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:lguitar value:teal legend:Lead_guitar

id:rguitar value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar

id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards

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id:sax value:tan2 legend:Saxophone

id:cello value:darkblue legend:Cello

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bar:Tim Butler from:start till:01/03/1992 color:bass

bar:Tim Butler from:01/03/2000 till:end color:bass

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bar:John Ashton from:31/12/1987 till:01/01/1990 color:rguitar width:3

bar:John Ashton from:01/03/2000 till:31/12/2008 color:lguitar

bar:John Ashton from:01/03/2000 till:31/12/2008 color:rguitar width:3

bar:Rich Good from:01/01/2009 till:end color:lguitar

bar:Rich Good from:01/01/2009 till:end color:rguitar width:3

bar:Mike Mooney from:01/01/1984 till:31/12/1985 color:rguitar

bar:Marty Williamson from:01/01/1986 till:31/12/1987 color:rguitar

bar:Knox Chandler from:01/01/1990 till:31/12/1991 color:rguitar

bar:Knox Chandler from:01/01/1990 till:31/12/1991 color:cello width:3

bar:Richard Fortus from:01/03/2000 till:01/07/2002 color:rguitar

bar:Richard Fortus from:01/03/2000 till:01/07/2002 color:lguitar width:3

bar:Ed Buller from:01/01/1984 till:31/12/1985 color:keys

bar:Roger O'Donnell from:01/01/1986 till:31/12/1987 color:keys

bar:Joe McGinty from:01/01/1989 till:31/12/1991 color:keys

bar:Amanda Kramer from:01/07/2002 till:end color:keys

bar:Paul Wilson from:start till:31/12/1978 color:drums

bar:Vince Ely from:01/01/1979 till:31/12/1982 color:drums

bar:Vince Ely from:01/03/1988 till:01/07/1990 color:drums

bar:Phill Calvert from:01/01/1983 till:31/12/1983 color:drums

bar:Paul Garisto from:01/01/1984 till:01/03/1988 color:drums

bar:Paul Garisto from:01/01/2009 till:31/12/2020 color:drums

bar:Don Yallech from:01/07/1990 till:01/03/1992 color:drums

bar:Earl Harvin from:01/01/2001 till:31/12/2001 color:drums

bar:Frank Ferrer from:01/01/2002 till:31/12/2008 color:drums

bar:Zack Alford from:01/01/2021 till:end color:drums

bar:Duncan Kilburn from:start till:01/03/1982 color:sax

bar:Duncan Kilburn from:start till:01/03/1982 color:keys width:3

bar:Gary Windo from:01/01/1982 till:31/12/1983 color:sax

bar:Mars Williams from:01/09/1983 till:01/03/1989 color:sax

bar:Mars Williams from:01/09/2005 till:20/11/2023 color:sax

bar:Ann Sheldon from:01/01/1982 till:31/12/1983 color:cello

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at:21/02/1987 color:black layer:back

at:31/10/1989 color:black layer:back

at:31/07/1991 color:black layer:back

at:31/07/2020 color:black layer:back

}}

{{Main|The Psychedelic Furs discography}}

• The Psychedelic Furs (1980)
• Talk Talk Talk (1981)
• Forever Now (1982)
• Mirror Moves (1984)
• Midnight to Midnight (1987)
• Book of Days (1989)
• World Outside (1991)
• Made of Rain (2020)

{{Reflist}}

{{wikiquote}}

• {{official website}}
• {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=mn0000418662}}
• {{discogs artist}}
• {{IMDb name|id=3028604}}

{{The Psychedelic Furs|state=expanded}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Psychedelic Furs, The}}

Category:1977 establishments in England

Category:British musical sextets

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:English alternative rock groups

Category:English new wave musical groups

Category:English post-punk music groups

Category:Musical groups established in 1977

Category:Rock music groups from London

Category:Second British Invasion artists