The Psychedelic Furs may not have invented rock & roll per se, but their influence since arriving on the post-punk scorched-earth landscape four decades ago has reverberated and resonated among all those who cherish the sweet-and-sour spot where rawness and romanticism meet.
Born out of the UK post-punk scene and led by vocalist and songwriter Richard Butler and his bass-wielding brother Tim, the Furs quickly developed as one of the premiere bands at college and alternative radio, scoring a flurry of major hits with “Love My Way,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Heaven,” “The Ghost in You,” and “Heartbreak Beat.” In all, they released eight studio albums, spawning several compilations, a boxed set, a live concert DVD, and inspiring one of the most iconic motion picture soundtracks of all time.
Decades later, their latest release, Made of Rain, charted in a multitude of countries and became the Furs’ second-highest-ranked UK album ever. It was prominently featured in the end-of-year “Best Albums” chart roundups in dozens of publications worldwide.
But the Furs especially thrive live in concert, having headlined at the U.K.’s famed Glastonbury Festival and, more recently, at esteemed venues including the Hollywood Bowl, London’s Royal Albert Hall, New York’s Radio City Music Hall, and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, among others. With a dazzling live show, they continue to tour quite regularly across the globe.
