Music > Live Reviews

Psychedelic Furs

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

12/09/17

Thanks to terrible traffic (well as terrible as it gets in Norwich), The Lene Lovich Band is already in full flight when I arrive late. They soon win me over with a sound that is equal parts Bat Cave goth (back when goth was an exciting, inventive new force in underground music and not just a parody that taking itself far too seriously for its own good), Plastic Ono Band and spiky, angular post-punk. With an image that mixes Minnie The Minx, Patti Smith and Jack Sparrow, Lovich is a ball of energy with a voice that veers from a deep roar to a Kate Bush yelp via an Ari Up sneer. This may be the first time that I have seen Lene and band but it won't be the last.

Ah, Psychedelic Furs, a band that – in my mind at least - flirted with punk, art-rock, post-punk, goth, early alt.rock and full-on hard rock without ever seeming to fully embrace - or be embraced by - any one genre. Always inventive, it is a mystery as to why the Furs have seemingly never achieved the same level of respect or adulation as near contemporaries such as The Cure. 

Pretty In Pink is the Furs’ best known song and so it is a little surprising when it appears just four songs in. That said, as good as Pretty… is, the likes of opener Dumb Waiter, The Ghost in You and House prove that this band’s best known song is not be their best song.

Vocalist Richard Butler seems genuinely delighted to be here – despite the move from the UEA to Waterfront - bouncing, dancing, twirling and gesticulating, he has the moves of a likeable Jagger and the energy of a man thirty years his junior. Saxophonist Mars Williams prowls every inch of the stage. Bassist Tim Butler, guitarist Rich Good, keyboard player Amanda Kramer and drummer Paul Garisto are more restrained but absolutely nail the songs. 

Much as I love discovering new, young talent, tonight shows again that sometimes you just can’t beat the elder statesmen and women.