The Psychedelic Furs Classic or Dud

They were great when I saw them with X. I didn't expect Richard to constantly come up to the edge of the stage, especially off to the side where I was - he was literally inches from me, which was cool but after awhile almost felt TOO close. All of a sudden, there was this pressure to facially express my enjoyment over and over again - I didn't want him to think "was this guy just here for X?" (To be fair, I love X to pieces.)

ha i would likely have the same issue, but still not a bad problem. glad to hear they're sounding good, i hope that it continues.

because i have so much and such long listening history with them, i have a weird sense of them not being actual at all. almost a personal feeling that they are bigger than popular music, just like, this creative/productive "thing" of "that" era.

i listened to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ncz9b2dIHkU 4 times while rollerskiing 6mi up gravel paths to home today. that album surprised me at the time for it's pop catchiness and it's very smooth melding of their history and general styles with those of greater recency. and also the VU/Cale violin, and the clarinet(oboe?) parts on top of that. It's just a good piece to me.

Mike Mills in a recent interview:

I just saw one of the best shows I’ve seen in years, the Psychedelic Furs opening for Squeeze, and it was awesome in every way. There was no feeling of age up there. They all played and acted like young men and sounded great, and I couldn’t have had a better time.

i saw the same pairing in Denver, Squeeze opened for Furs. Good show, they played very well, the sound system was terrible terrible. the vox were almost totally lost to me, row 2. Enjoyed it a great deal, wouldn't say the elder furs seemed like young men, but they were extremely credible, very casually and comfortably active (and interactive) rock adults ha.

Did they play the 2020 songs? They deserve inclusion.

they played a few at the show I saw, so I assume so.

Yup and agree that album is very solid imo. Effective pop lyricist and songwriter for me.

when I saw them in May 2023 they played The Boy That Invented Rock'n'Roll, Wrong Train, and No-One from the new album, so they're not neglecting it

Wish they'd play something from the Love Spit Love albums. So underrated!

hugely underrated!!

Is there any other band of their era that tours as reliably as the Furs? They play several dozen dates across the US annually, and have done so nearly every year since 2000.

i kept thinking “kooky, hmmm a little, but not too granny like, rly”?

the rows up front dissolved during the show and i got a good handshake from r butler on a walk-by, it was gratifying as hell.

Oh no...

Rest in peace, Mars

Shit. There was a benefit scheduled for him in a couple of days. He was a pretty incredible player. Amazing that he could fit in just as well with the Psychedelic Furs and Peter Brotzmann.

I think you recommended The Chicago Octet/Tentet which is indeed an amazing album.

(A limited edition physical release but still available on Bandcamp)

Big loss to Chicago area rock/jazz scene. This dude was on so many fun records!

Liquid Soul shows were so dope.

RIP awesome sax guy, you were amazing live

Awesome, awesome player, for me he will always be a part of Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble, Finnish/Swiss Tour, The Hal Russell Story, their free jazz opera, and Hal on Earth esp

RIP

Fine tribute by Peter Margasak. Mentions the support he gave other musicians with addiction issues: sounds like a good guy and real community player. Love those Christmas Ayler records.

https://petermargasak.substack.com/p/mars-williams-has-left-the-stage?utm_source=substack&publication_id=85512&post_id=139041340&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=3b6cq

Only just noticed this news, terrible

One of my favourite rock sax guys ever, amazing tone, essential to all their best work

Slight rewind but still, fuck mortality

oh man I love those Christmas Ayler records too.

He's even adding to the din here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPfGwMdGHfU