I’ve seen the Psychedelic Furs and X three times each in concert – 1990, 2012, and 2018 for the former and 1980, 1983, and 2007 for the latter. (Also, Exene once, and John Doe a couple times, in solo acoustic shows.) I usually am satisfied at seeing a band three times in concert and saving my money for the performers I’ve only seen once or never. (There have been a few exceptions, primarily The Who.) But when two bands I’ve liked for 40+ years come to town again for $50, I gotta’ go.
Exene and John Doe
X crashed onto the scene in 1980 with its combustible mix of punk and rockabilly encapsulated in the Los Angeles album. Consisting of Exene Cervenka (vocals), John Doe (bass, vocals), Billy Zoom (guitar), and D.J. Bonebrake (drums), X solidified their place in the pantheon of ’80s bands with the follow-up in 1981, Wild Gift. Their first four albums were all highly acclaimed, but none achieved mainstream success. Their fifth album, Ain’t Love Grand, released in 1985, was a conscious move into a more polished sound. It got more airplay, but still wasn’t a commercial breakthrough. They put out two more records before going inactive in the mid-to-late ’90s. In 2020, they unexpectedly dropped a new LP, Alphabetland, 27 years after Hey Zeus (see my review Bands that Took 20 Years (or more) Between Albums: Part One – X). They started touring regularly again in the early 2000s and have never stopped. This was a rare opportunity to see and hear Exene and John Doe together in an acoustic setting at the Fremont Theater in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Two microphones, two singers, one guitarist. So stripped down and beautiful in its simplicity. What a treat to clearly hear every word sung by a couple of outstanding vocalists and songwriters. They did six X songs, including “In This House That I Call Home,” “See How We Are,” “Burning House of Love,” and “The New World.” As promised by John Doe, there were some country western covers and a couple of songs by their country-folk side project, The Knitters. I was instantly taken by “Dry River,” a Dave Alvin cover, and possibly the best opening lyrics ever about Los Angeles, “I was born by a river, but it was paved with cement.” Only in L.A.!
The Psychedelic Furs
The Psychedelic Furs formed in London in 1977 centered around the Butler brothers, Richard on lead vocals and Tim on bass. Their 1980 self-titled debut album included the single “Sister Europe.” Highlights of 1981’s, Talk Talk Talk, were “Mr. Jones” and “Pretty in Pink,” the song that would make them famous in 1986 in conjunction with the John Hughes’ movie of the same name. Their popularity peaked in the early-mid 1980s with the album run of Forever Now (“Love My Way” and title song), Mirror Moves (“Heaven” and “The Ghost in You”), and Midnight to Midnight (“Heartbreak Beat”). Just like X did, they surprised us all in 2020 with their eighth album Made of Rain, 29 years after World Outside (see my review Bands that Took 20 Years (or more) Between Albums: Part Two – Psychedelic Furs). They also continue to tour regularly around the world.
They opened with “The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll,” the first of three from Made of Rain. I always appreciate bands that play some newer, less familiar material. The crowd’s enthusiasm never waned during the newer songs. Richard Butler was still a captivating front man, and his raspy voice hasn’t lost any of its charm. They covered their entire career playing at least one song from every album, with the exception of 1989’s Book of Days. Five songs came from Forever Now. “President Gas,” “Pretty in Pink,” “Mr. Jones,” “Heartbreak Beat,” and “Heaven” made a hell of a five-song set closure. The ideal two-song encore opened with a deeper 1980 track, “India,” and ended with their uplifting anthem and my favorite. You’ll have to keep reading to find out the song (probably not too difficult to guess).
D² Concert Rating ◼◼◼◼☐
Trivia: Who produced X’s debut album, Los Angeles.
Answer below
“Alphabetland,” sure proof that X can still bring it.
Answer: Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for The Doors. (They cover The Doors’ “Soul Kitchen” on the album.)
Trivia: What band did the Butler brothers form during their early ’90s break from the Psychedelic Furs?
Answer below
Since I don’t care much for Made of Rain, here’s my favorite Psychedelic Furs song, title of their third album, and finale of the show:
Answer: Love Spit Love. (They put out two records. I have the first one, eponymously named. Pretty good.)