The Banshees Release their Long awaited B sides Box set on 29th November 2004 For more into follow the Upside Down Link All the B sides are here, check it out!!!

Monday, 15 March 2004

John McGeoch, Banshees Guitarist Died in his sleep on March 4th 2004 at the young age of 49. John was born on 25th May 1955 in Greenock Scotland. He Joined the Banshees on "Kaleidoscope" after the Banshees Split, and he co-wrote "Trophy" on the album. Of course by the time of Ju Ju he had become a permanent member. His last album with the Banshees was on the 1982 "A kiss in the Dream House" where John played Guitar, Keyboards (cocoon, Circle, Cascade) and recorded (Green Fingers) Before Joining the Banshees he had been Guitarist with Howard Devoto in Magazine and was instrumental in their First Three albums "Real life" "Secondhand Daylight" & "The Correct Use of Soap" He was a Brilliant Guitarist and arguably the Banshees Best, he later went on to join PIL..........My thoughts go out to all those who were close to him...

 "An Evening with Siouxsie" will be coming to a town near you......................................

Siouxsie & Budgie will be back on the Road again in May, starting in the USA

Budgie Writes on the Creatures site

"We’re presenting these shows as “an evening with Siouxsie” as they’ll be neither solely Creatures nor Banshees but an all encompassing two hour show which will comprise classics & rarities picked from the whole of the Siouxsie & the Banshees & the Creatures catalogues.

We’re also thrilled to announce that ex-Kodo drummer Leonard Eto will be joining us as our special guest for the debut performance of songs from Hái!"

19th May 2004 - Seattle, The Showbox
21st May 2004 - San Francisco, The Warfield
23rd May 2004 - Anaheim, House of Blues
24th May 2004 - West Hollywood, House of Blues
25th May 2004 - West Hollywood, House of Blues
27th May 2004 - Dallas, Gypsy Ballroom
28th May 2004 - Austin, Stubb's Bar-B-Q
30th May 2004 - New Orleans, House of Blues
1st June 2004 - Atlanta, Variety Playhouse
3rd June 2004 - Chicago, House of Blues
4th June 2004 - Detroit, Majestic Theatre
6th June 2004 - Washington, DC, Nightclub 9:30
8th June 2004 - New York, BB King Blues Club
9th June 2004 - New York, BB King Blues Club ]

European dates will follow.

Visit the Creatures Official Site for More Information

A Siouxsie and the Banshees Box set is imminent and could be released as soon as June, It will feature over 50 Banshees Tracks mostly B Sides that have never been released on CD before. Rumour has it the the title could be "Downside Up"

There could also be a Banshees "Best Of" DVD which will features promotional videos never before released on DVD up to now the Banshees have released two VHS videos "Once Up On a Time" & "Twice Up On a Time"

The Banshees have also reached agreement with the BBC to have all the BBC sessions released on the Banshees own Label

And Finally All the Banshees Albums are set for re-release having been re-mastered, they will be released in batches, it is unclear whether the Albums will be released with Bonus tracks. As part of the Re-release The Gloves "Blue Sunshine" will also be released    

Press Release for “Hái”

The Creatures Official Site has taken on a New Look Check it Out!

Added Monday 29^th October LYRICS To   “Hái” All The Creatures Lyrics

Godzilla ! and the UK Charts (Taken From The Creatures Official Site!)   

20.10.03

The Creatures’ latest single Godzilla! entered the the UK charts at number 53.

Had all the actual unit sales been counted and had it been treated as a normal release, Godzilla! would have been a top twenty hit, possibly landing The Creatures on TOTP and other key shows.

The only reason this didn’t happen is that most of the sales of Godzilla! came through independent record stores which included Sister Ray, a specialist store with chart return status.

The UK chart system is based on 100% of sales from chain stores (HMV, Virgin, Tower, MVC etc.) and a sample of the UK’s independent record stores (only 20% of them have the machine that gives sales figures to the chart compilers) Sales from the indie stores only, are then multiplied by a ‘weighting factor’ to make up for the indie stores that do not have these machines.

Our problem came when Sister Ray (who do have the machine) made actual sales of well over 1000 in the first week. The Chart compilers apparently did not trust these sales stating that they were not representative of the record buying public, even though similar sales by other artists from Sister Ray, have been and will be accepted without question. Despite numerous requests we have still not received a satisfactory answer as to why our sales have been made the exception to the rule.

The result was that not only was the weighting factor removed but all of the 1000 copies sold through Sister Ray were taken out of the ‘sales returns’ figures completely. Had the usual weighting been applied, Godzilla! would have been top twenty and even without weighting would have achieved at top 30.

Words fail us and all the partners in Sioux Records. The record industry is certainly already in decline and it now seems that independent artists with a strong following like Siouxsie and Budgie are being discriminated against, when their only crime is having their records sold by shops that actually choose to stock them without any of the usual major label incentives to do so.

Of course HMV supported the release as did other chains but if fans prefer to buy from indie stores it seemingly means that these sales are distrusted and not accepted by the chart return analysts who publish and compile the weekly charts.

Hopefully the shops without machines will eventually get them so we may finally see a true picture of the record buying public’s tastes rather than one tainted by co-op advertising and stock deals.

Meanwhile Godzilla ! is still selling across the UK.

 THE WINNERS OF THE TWO “SEVEN YEAR ITCH” DVD’S Are:  More Info

CHRISTODOULOPOULOS COSTAS
From GREECE

&

Shoobie DeFrancisco
From USA
 

Both will be receiving the DVD from Sanctuary

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Sanctuary

for their help in Running the DVD Competition

The New Creatures Singles were released on Monday 13^th October

 

Also out “The Old Grey Whistle Test” Best of Volume 2

This DVD Features the Banshees Performing “Metal (Postcard)” in 1978

 

MP3’s Just in   Enjoy and don’t forget to orders your 'Hái!'

Titles:
1. Say Yes!
2. Around The World
3. Seven Tears
4. Godzilla!
5. Imagoro
6. Tourniquet
7. Further Nearer
8. City Island
9. Tantara!

ALL CLIPS ARE 2 Minutes Long – Please be patient and let them load once you have clicked on a title

Godzilla !

The New Creatures Single will now be released in the UK on October 13^th – There will be 3 Cd’s to buy as follows:

CD1  -  Radio Edit – The Temple of dawn and Attack of the Super Vixen

CD2  -  Godzilla Video plus a Karaoke version

CD3  -  Budgie’s extended Tokyo fist mix + bonus tracks that can only be found on this CD

But you must hurry there seems to be only 2000! Copies of CD2 & CD3 

You can order from your local shop if in the UK or on line at Sister Ray  (as of Wednesday 17^th they did not appear on the site)

Hái !

The Creatures release their new album on 20^th October (21^st October in USA) There are two Versions, a limited edition for the USA contains a bonus 3 track DVD + the “2^nd Floor” Video as an add on extra. The UK version will have a DVD but without the “2^nd Floor” Video. + there is going to be a limited edition version which will include an “Instrumental” version of the “Whole” album.

Website !  (This is taken from the Official Creatures Web site!)   

The brand new Creatures website will be unveiled in the week commencing September 22nd, expect improved security & efficiency in the forum, a glimpse of the new video for Godzilla!, Streaming mp3’s, some groovy new ‘Swag’, extra bells and whistles but not a lot of Flash!!
And all this for less than the cost of a bottle of corporation pop, which means, contrary to rumours, no charge!

Banshees BBC Sessions/Best of DVD/Box Set B-Sides

I understand that Polydor/Universal have finally allowed the Banshees to release the Banshees BBC Sessions on the Banshees own Wonderland Label  - no information on when!

Also I understand there has been progress on a Banshees b-sides Box Set and maybe even a Best of DVD!

Watch this space!!!!!

Visit the IMPACT for Banshees & Glove merchandise including Shirts, Buttons and Baby doll items

Steve Severin has been working on the under score to a new Super natural Thriller called “London Voodoo”, he has also contributed 4 songs to the film that have been recorded by Steve’s new band “Darling Hate”

The Tracks are:

"Your World and Mine"

"Seven Days and Seven Nights"

"Gnosis"

"Never Feel the Same"

For more information see my “London Voodoo” Page   Here

Or  

I have no information on a release date as yet! However  Arban (Steve's wife and singer) is in the studio on the 27^th of August to record the final vocals to the closing track.

*********************************************** 

New Creatures Album – Release Date 20^th October 2003

'Hái!'    This is the Official Press Release concerning the Next Creatures Album (Please Visit the Official Creatures Site) 

 

When Siouxsie & The Banshees’ ‘Seven Year Itch Tour’ ended in Japan, August 18, 2002, it marked the end of an era. 24hrs later, an impromptu session in a Tokyo recording studio heralded the beginning of something new........

“No more maybe, no more could be, say yes!..” Siouxsie

Siouxsie & Budgie return as The Creatures with their emphatically titled new album ‘Hái!’
Translated, the title of this Self-produced, Anglo-Japanese fusion means ‘Yes!’ and is released on their own Sioux Records label on October 20, 2003.

As mysterious as the serene yet sensual beauty of the cover image by Japanese artist Kimiko Yoshida, ‘Hái!’ is an alchemy of distilled atmospherics and sublime minimalism.
Yet as Siouxsie’s vocals soar over Budgie’s daredevil drums & marimbas, syncromeshed to the pulsing Taiko rhythms of ex-Kodo drummer Leonard Eto, ‘Hái!’ soon splits several sonic skins to emit a roar that would rival that of Japan’s most famous movie monster, ‘Godzilla!’, whose paean from Siouxsie will be released as a single on October 6, 2003.

“The Creatures are primal: it’s our guts, our deepest instincts coming through.” Budgie

‘Hái!’ began on the stormy Tokyo morning when fate brought Budgie and Taiko drum master Leonard Eto together for the first time. The ensuing spontaneous drumming frenzy was like lightning striking at the source of a rhythmical rainbow. The sizzling spectrum of beats unleashed in that one relentless recording session would become the backbone of the album.

“I was enthralled as I watched the coming together of these two kindred spirits. Words and melodies came to me immediately but mindful of breaking the spell, I had to store my inspiration until we got back home to France.” Siouxsie.

Continuing a pioneering journey that began with The Creatures’ recording their first album ‘Feast’ in Hawaii (1983), ‘Boomerang’ in Spain (1989) and ‘Anima Animus’ France, USA & UK (1999), ‘Hái!’ threads together a characteristically diverse mix of inspirational sources.
Touched by the delicate snowfall imagery of Akira Kurosawa’s ‘Ikiru’ (1952), absorbing the vibrancy of Tokyo’s Roppongi district, and spiritualised by the ancient Shinto shrines and tranquil shores of Lake Ashi.

From the opening Semi Cicada drone of ‘Say Yes!’, we are exposed to an audioramic assault in ‘Around the World’ and ‘Seven Tears’. Charmed by the B-movie humour of ‘Godzilla!’ and seduced by the Shamanic chant of ‘Imagoro’. We traverse the sexual tightrope of ‘Tourniquet’, experience the strikingly beautiful fatalism of ‘Further Nearer’, languish in the poignant isolation of ‘City Island’, before finally being transported on the Hokusai Wave of assertive optimism that is ‘Tantara!’

If Budgie’s drums are the beating heart of The Creatures, then Siouxsie’s voice is the lifeblood, capable of the same ground-shaking dynamism it is also, as is evident on ‘Hái!’, an increasingly subtle and uniquely entrancing instrument.

“The spirit of Japan has touched our souls and a new chapter in the story of ‘The Creatures’ has begun.” Budgie.

Artist: The Creatures
Album: Hái!
Label: Sioux Records
Catalogue No: Sioux CD15
Release: October 20, 2003
via Artful Records in Europe & Instinct Records in the USA

Titles:
1. Say Yes!
2. Around The World
3. Seven Tears
4. Godzilla!
5. Imagoro
6. Tourniquet
7. Further Nearer
8. City Island
9. Tantara!

Siouxsie and Budgie were interviewed by Jonathan Ross on 2^nd August, and during the interview he played what will become the New Creatures Single “Godzilla” Siouxsie said that it should be released in October 03.  It will be taken from the forthcoming album which should be around in October as well. It seems there maybe additional material for release but will it be by the Creatures or even the Banshees? You can hear the Whole Interview on Roddy’s excellent site here

Godzilla MP3

The Banshees Live DVD from the Shepherds Bush Empire is to be re-released on the first of September, Follow the Link on the Banner above for more details

6 Music - SATB

Thursday 7^th August SATB live tracks were played on 6 Music, the Track were recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in 1988

The tracks played were:

Peek a Boo                                              If anyone has these as MP3’s I would be Grateful if you could Mail them to me Here
Carousel
Skin
Wheels on Fire
Cities in Dust

See 6 Music Site

Authorised Biography (Added 14^th August 2003)

SATB Authorised biography was out on the 28th July in the UK (7^th September in USA). The book was written by Mark Paytress with the help of the Banshees.

It includes interviews with various people who were Friends of the Band over the past 30 Years or so.

The Book charts the History of the Banshees from the Very Beginning and is well worth the read.

__________________________________________

The “Seven Year Itch” Tour Live DVD & Video………

Pure Jigsaw Feeling Metal Postcard Red Light Happy House Christine Lullaby Lands End Cities in Dust I Could Be Again Icon Night Shift Voodoo Dolly Spellbound Blue Jay Way (The Beatles) Monitor Peek-A-Boo (with EX-Girl)

Special Features Backstage Footage Audience Vox Pops Widescreen Anamorphic Dolby Digital 5.1/2.0/DTS Languages- English Region 0/PAL/Colour Plus Interviews with the Fans

_______________________________________________________________________________

The “Seven Year Itch” Tour Live CD & 2LP Limited Edition. Shepherds Bush Empire London 9^th 10^th July 2002

Pure
Jigsaw Feeling
Metal Postcard
Red Light +
Lullaby
Lands End
I Could Be Again (July 10^th)
Icon
Night Shift
Voodoo Dolly
Trust In Me
Blue Jay Way
Monitor
Peek-a-boo  (July 10^th)

Reviews hmv.co.uk  May 2003

Recorded over two summer nights last year at London's legendary Shepherd's Bush Empire as part of their 'Seven Year itch' tour, the resulting live album (and DVD) immortalizes not only some classic songs but, sadly, also the last ever live performance of Siouxsie And The Banshees as a group. Capturing a band at their peak, 'Seven Year Itch' features a catalogue of the band's worldwide hits including 'Peek-A-Boo' alongside rare b-sides that have never been performed live ('Lullaby' and 'I Could Be Again'), plus the George Harrison-penned 'Blue Jay Way', performed as a special tribute to the late great.

The majority of these tracks have never been officially released live - this CD and accompanying limited edition double vinyl is a must for any Siouxsie and the Banshees fan and collector.

_____________________________________________________

 Banshees Greatest Hits Released

Dear Prudence
Hong Kong Garden
Cities in Dust
Peek-A-Boo
Happy House                       
Kiss Them for Me
Face to Face
Dizzy
Israel
Christine
Spellbound
Stargazer
Arabian Knights
The Killing Jar
This Wheel's on Fire

Bonus disc (Limited)
Spellbound (12" Version)
Song from the Edge of the World (Columbus Mix)
Kiss Them For Me (Kathak  2 Mix) [Previously Unavailable]
Peek-A-Boo (Silver Dollar Mix)
Killing Jar (Lepidopteristic Mix)
Cities in Dust (Eruption Mix)
Dazzle (Glamour Mix)
Stargazer (Mambo Sun Mix)
Face to Face (Catatonic Mix)

______________________________

News Up to 1^st June 2003

The Banshees embark on Several Date as part of their

"7 Year Itch Tour" Dates are as Follows................................

17th April 2002 Washington DC (Nation)

19th April 2002 New York (Roseland Ballroom)

21st April 2002 Chicago (Vic Theatre)

22nd April 2002 Chicago (Vic Theatre)

24th April 2002 San Francisco (Fillmore)

25th April 2002 San Francisco (Warfield)

27th April 2002 Indio (Coachella Music and Arts Festival)

1st July 2002 Athens (Rockwave Festival) CANCELLED

3rd July 2002 Dublin (Ambassador Theatre) CANCELLED

BRITISH LEG

5th July 2002 Glasgow (Barrowland Ballroom)

6th July 2002 Sheffield (Octagon Centre)

7th July 2002 London (Shepherds Bush Empire)

10th July 2002 London (Shepherds Bush Empire)

 11th August 2002 Anaheim ( The Grove)

17th August 2002 Osaka (Sonic Festival)

18th August 2002 Tokyo (Sonic Festival)

Banshees Greatest Hits

The Banshees will be releasing a greatest hits Album in September, which will coincide with the Siouxsie & The Banshees Biography (Original release was due in May)

You can Pre-Order the Book at Amazon

Banshees DVD???

Rumour has it that a DVD is in line for release later in 2002, But this may have been shelved (if you have any info on this please Mail me!)

Banshees New Album?

Banshees may well be laying down tracks for a new studio Album for release sometime during 2003

The Creatures New Album

The Creatures have been in the Studio recording a New Album, expect a release sometime in autumn 2002

Banshees Box Set?

Plans are a foot for a Banshees Box set to be released in 2002.....there are also plans to release all the Albums again, remastered and with all B-Sides expect these later this year!!