Ian Astbury: Difference between revisions
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The dent in their reputation was amplified by the loss of many ''Sonic Temple'' fans, when their next album, ''[[Ceremony (The Cult album)|Ceremony]],'' released in 1991, delivered disappointingly in the wake of an oncoming [[grunge]] movement. |
The dent in their reputation was amplified by the loss of many ''Sonic Temple'' fans, when their next album, ''[[Ceremony (The Cult album)|Ceremony]],'' released in 1991, delivered disappointingly in the wake of an oncoming [[grunge]] movement. |
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In 1994, The Cult returned with an untitled album and a change of musical pace. |
In 1994, The Cult returned with an untitled album and a change of musical pace. Their hard rock sound was gone, replaced instead by Astbury's growing interest in alternative music, fashion and introspective lyrics. The self titled album was not a commercial success, due mostly to the lack of radio support for the albums two singles (Coming Down and Star). To support the album they set out on a tour; in Brazil, however, Astbury's creative differences with guitarist Duffy reached their peak, and the former walked out on The Cult. |
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Inspired by his sudden change in direction, Astbury soon after assembled another group of musicians and began writing new songs. He called the group [[Holy Barbarians (band)|The Holy Barbarians]], and in 1996 the band released the album ''Cream''. Although they were not a commercial success, the Barbarians were well received by many who had regained respect for Astbury as an artist. One notable appearance by the band was at the small Tunbridge Wells Forum which saw them being joined onstage by [[Vic Reeves]] for a rendition of The Cult's classic "Wildflower." |
Inspired by his sudden change in direction, Astbury soon after assembled another group of musicians and began writing new songs. He called the group [[Holy Barbarians (band)|The Holy Barbarians]], and in 1996 the band released the album ''Cream''. Although they were not a commercial success, the Barbarians were well received by many who had regained respect for Astbury as an artist. One notable appearance by the band was at the small Tunbridge Wells Forum which saw them being joined onstage by [[Vic Reeves]] for a rendition of The Cult's classic "Wildflower." |
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Revision as of 19:53, 2 October 2010
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2010) |
Ian Astbury |
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Ian Astbury (born Ian Robert Astbury, 14 May 1962, Heswall, Merseyside) is an English rock musician, known for his role as vocalist for the rock band The Cult.[1]
Biography
Astbury made his appearance in the Liverpool punk scene in the late 1970s. He became friends with many of the other younger punks based around the Eric's Club punk scene. He was in and out of various bands before moving to Bradford and forming the Positive Punk band Southern Death Cult in 1981. At that time, he was going by the name Ian Lindsay. Southern Death Cult gigged to support its "Moya" single, and secured a slot as an opening act for Bauhaus in 1983. Shortly after that tour, the band split up.
Along with guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Jamie Stewart and drummer Ray Mondo, Astbury formed a new band, Death Cult, released the Death Cult (EP) and later dropped Death from the name.[1]
He has two sons named Dustyn and Che.
The Cult
The Cult was a successful British rock band in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With the 1984 release of their first album, Dreamtime, The Cult became the darling of the indie post-punk scene, their chart topping single "Spiritwalker" having held at number one for three months. Their second album, Love, evoked memories of 1960s psychedelia such as The Doors and the Pretty Things. It also featured their now classic hit "She Sells Sanctuary", which introduced them to an international audience. On their third album, Electric, The Cult made a radical transformation to hard rock reminiscent of AC/DC and Aerosmith with the help of Rick Rubin. This further broadened their audience as rock began making a comeback in the late 1980s. Guns n' Roses, which was heavily influenced by Electric, opened for The Cult on their 1987 North American tour, before going on to sell millions of copies of their own debut album, Appetite for Destruction.
Despite the Cult's even greater success through their mainstream hit single "Fire Woman" (from the followup 1989 album Sonic Temple), Astbury relocated to Los Angeles, California. He became friends with The Fuzztones, often jumping up onstage with them at live concerts. One such concert, at Scream in Los Angeles, was recorded and a cover of The Stooges song "Down on the Street" was released as a picture disc in the UK on Situation Two Records. It featured Astbury guesting on vocals and the In Heat-era Fuzztones (Rudi Protrudi/Fuzztones Frontman, John Carlucci, Jordan Tarlow, Mike Czekaj, and Jason Savall) providing backing.
1990s
The dent in their reputation was amplified by the loss of many Sonic Temple fans, when their next album, Ceremony, released in 1991, delivered disappointingly in the wake of an oncoming grunge movement.
In 1994, The Cult returned with an untitled album and a change of musical pace. Their hard rock sound was gone, replaced instead by Astbury's growing interest in alternative music, fashion and introspective lyrics. The self titled album was not a commercial success, due mostly to the lack of radio support for the albums two singles (Coming Down and Star). To support the album they set out on a tour; in Brazil, however, Astbury's creative differences with guitarist Duffy reached their peak, and the former walked out on The Cult.
Inspired by his sudden change in direction, Astbury soon after assembled another group of musicians and began writing new songs. He called the group The Holy Barbarians, and in 1996 the band released the album Cream. Although they were not a commercial success, the Barbarians were well received by many who had regained respect for Astbury as an artist. One notable appearance by the band was at the small Tunbridge Wells Forum which saw them being joined onstage by Vic Reeves for a rendition of The Cult's classic "Wildflower."
Personal difficulties and a drive for further introspection drove Astbury away from his new group, as he began working on a solo album (eventually released as Spirit\Light\Speed). Despite its rich texturing and diverse style, it received mixed reviews and low sales.
In 1999, Astbury and Duffy reformed The Cult to head one of the most financially successful tours that year. A new contract with Atlantic Records was inked, and in 2001 came the release of Beyond Good and Evil. Early radio success was being had by the single "Rise", until the band had a falling out with Atlantic and they ended all commercial promotions and radio play for the album. Astbury described the fight with the record label as "soul destroying"; disillusioned, he brought The Cult to another hiatus in 2002.
Astbury said he had some minor drug problems. He revealed that in an interview for Dr. Drew's newsletter saying: 'I was cultivating a nice healthy drug habit. I was your run-of-the mill adventurist, I'd try anything once. I was a day-tripper, though - I never really became a hardcore user. When drugs aren't working for you, forget about it. I don't want to spout philosophical that "drugs are evil" [because] drugs had a place in my life. I think achieving a balance is the key, though.'
2000s
Astbury, who resembled The Doors' Jim Morrison, became lead singer of The Doors of the 21st Century in 2002. The group featured original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.[2][3] In 2003, Astbury also performed with surviving members of MC5 at the 100 Club in London, before finally reforming The Cult with Duffy again in 2006, for a series of live dates and rumours of reissues and another greatest hits compilation in the works.
During early 2007, The Cult entered the studio to begin production on Born into This, the group's first album in six years. Also planned for release was a DVD of the band's 13 November 2006, concert at Irving Plaza in New York City.
The Cult's current lineup consists of Astbury and Duffy, alongside bassist Chris Wyse, drummer John Tempesta and touring rhythm guitarist Mike Dimkitch. In October 2007, The Cult finally released Born into This. The first single was "Dirty Little Rockstar," which enjoyed strong radio airplay. He lives in Los Angeles and plays on the soccer team Hollywood United with Billy Duffy and Steve Jones of "The Sex Pistols" and is a supporter of English Premier League club Everton FC.
In 2009, The Cult announced a series of shows across the US, Canada, and Europe billed as "'Love' Live", where the band will perform its classic album, "Love," in its entirety.
On 29 May 2010 Boris performed "The End" with Ian Astbury at Vivid Festival on Sydney.[4] Boris and Astbury will release a four-song EP in September 2010 on Southern Lord and Daymare Records that will contain four tracks entitled Teeth and Claws, We are Witches, Rain (The Cult cover), Magickal Child.[5][6][7]
Other musical ventures
Astbury is featured on the UNKLE tracks "Burn My Shadow" and "When Things Explode." He also sings "Flame On" on Tony Iommi's (Black Sabbath lead guitarist) solo album Iommi, as well as duets with Deborah Harry on her 1989 album Def, Dumb and Blonde's song "Lovelight". In 2010, he provided the vocals for the song "Ghost" on guitarist Slash's self-titled solo album. The track also featured former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin on rhythm guitar.
Solo discography
- Spirit\Light\Speed (2000)
Guest appearances
References
- ^ a b "The Cult | View the Music Artists Biography Online | VH1.com". Retrieved 3 April 2010.
- ^ Ross, Mike (24 July 2005). "Long live the Lizard King". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ Zahlaway, Jon (31 May 2005). "The Doors of the 21st Century head up 'Strange Days' fest". LiveDaily. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bAuvSYb1D0&feature=player_embedded [unreliable source?]
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (2 June 2010). "Boris Team With the Cult's Ian Astbury". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
- ^ http://www.diwproducts.com/prd.php?DYMC126 [unreliable source?]
- ^ http://blog.southernlord.com/?p=271 [unreliable source?]
Debby harry & Blondie [ Def , dumb and blondie 1989] Fuzztones live 88 [ down on the streets] Steve jones sex pistols solo album [ fire and gasoline]