Conference napalm::heavy_metal

        WTF, here's a disography:
    
        Love
        Electric
    
        
        The Cult kicks some serious butt with their stuff, like:
    
        Wildflower
        Little Devil
        Love Removal Machine
        Born to Be Wild (well, OK as far as covers go)
        She Sells Sanctuary
        Rain
    
    
        I've LOVED the Cult since they first started out (well, actually
        I didn't like them at first, but quickly changed my mind after
        listening to some of the stuff) ... and after I heard and bought
        the 2nd album I was VERY impressed.  The guitarist isn't the
        best, nor the fastest - but then again no one in the band really
        stands out as exceptional.  As a group they are FANTASTIC.
    
                                                       GTI

They also had a LP out before 'The Cult' that was available as an
import. I don't remember the title. 

I think their second album is to AC/DC what Kingdom Come is to Led Zep.
Not to say that I don't like it - it's pretty rockin' - just not real
original either. (IMO, their first LP was more original, but not as
good.)

cat

    I like the Cult.  I didn't know I did either !  I traded a CD for
    it, and hadn't heard of them, but figured...WTF !
    
    I didn't realize that they did the tune "She sells sanctuary", and
    I always dug that tune.  The Love CD seems to be (imo) a mixture
    between new_wave and rock.  I would NOT call it metal.  
    
    jc

    I LOVED the Cult when they first came out with Love.  I liked how
    they were sort of an eccentric rock band...teedering between hard
    rock and new music.  I Love the Electric lp, but in a different
    way.  Sure, it sounds like AC/DC, but WTF (actually, what about
    the critics who say Electric is a Led Zep ripoff...c'mon, turn
    your ears on and get a grip!).  I'm interested to see if they stay
    in this hard rockin direction created by Rick Rubin or if they head
    in some new direction.  I like teh singer a lot...he has a really
    unique style.  The guitar player is metza-metz but the band on a
    whole is air tight.  
    
    Buck

                                      

    KILLER BAND !!
        
    I've got 'Love' and 'Electric'.  I prefer 'Love' ('specially
    Revolution and Black Angel).  I was a bit disappointed with 
    'Electric' though it does have some killer tunes on it (Lil' Devil 
    was the first tune I *ever* jammed to at a party).
                                  
    The musicians are not the best in the world, but together they
    ROCK.      
    
    They are supposed to have a new album coming out soon, which is
    apparently remaining on the rock/metal lines. 
         
          
    -Tony

    the total CULT diskography: (they used to be even more toward new
                                 wave in the beginning before "love",
                                 Just a word of warning to you head-
                                 bangers who want to hear the early
                                 stuff)
    
    origional band : southern Death Cult - album of the same name (I
                                           think)
                     Death Cult          - Added Billy Duffey on guitar-
                                           not sure of album title
    Now band         The Cult-Dreamtime
                             -live at the lycium
                             -love
                             -revolution EP
                             -Sanctuary EP
                             -Electric
    
    I'm not sure about the bands future... There were rumors of a breakup.
    I saw them at greatwoods with Billy Idol.  It was great. They trashed
    the intire drum set during "born to be wild"  Ian(singer) stood
    up on the drummers stool and lifted the Bass Drum over his head
    and THREW it down on the stage.  It was really incredible.
    
    I read that they had to cut short their Australian tour because
    during one of the shows, they trashed all of their equipment.
    $20,000 dollars worth!  But, hell, thats Rock 'n Roll.......

    
    	I think the Cult is fantastic!! As a band they are tight
    no-nonsense excellence. I also saw them with Billy Idol, and
    they put on a great show. Most of the people I spoke to there
    were there for the Cult.
    	Love and Electric are two completely different albums, but
    I love them both. She Sells Sanctuary and Revolution are very
    cool, as is the whole second album. 
    	Ian Astbury has a very unique style as well.
    
    /Motorbreath

    I think the Cult is an awesome headbangin band!  I'd call them 
    heavy rock & roll, somewhat new wave and bordering on metal!
    Love I think is the better of the two, although I love Electric
    too.  That tape was imbedded in my cassete player in my car for
    a good long time before I felt like listening to something else!
    
    Southern Death Cult, huh?  I like that... reminds me of Vulcan
    Death Grip... (was that ever really a band?)
    
    HITMAN (With another yea vote)

    So, has anyone heard anything about the bands future?
    Are they making a new album, doing solo projects (God forbid), working
    with other people, or are they done for good.  I haven't heard anything
    about them in quite a while and it's making me nervous.  I'm dying
    to hear some new stuff from this band!

    I heard on WAAF last night that they were in the studio with Rick
    Ruben producing, working on a new album.  I can't wait!
    
    Steve O

    
    
       Last night on MTV news they said that The Cult was in the studio
    with Bob Rock(?) who did Bon Jovi and someone else. They said the
    sound was going to be a cleaner more commercialized one as opposed
    to the sound on Electric. If this is true it's too bad cause I really
    liked their sound on Electric.
    
      /Bill
    

    
    That would be a shame, the Cult are a great band but if you listen
    to the difference between 'Love' and 'Electric' - they've gone from
    sort of 'Gothic' (Sisters or Mercy/Mission type sound) to 'metal' 
    (AC/DC clones), so I guess that 'pop' may be their next frontier 
    :-( 
    
    Still, I preferred the first album anyway.  I thought it was a bit
    more original.

    -Tony

    I agree, the first album is more origional.  The second (Electric)
    was very "produced".  I'm not too worried about the Cult going "Pop"
    
    If there is band that can sound good in any form, it's the Cult.
    
    Steve O (who has a 3 foot ELECTRIC beer can "stand up" in his bedroom)
                                                          
    

    
    	I didn't think the second album was TOO produced. The album
    company didn't even release the original version of Wild Flower,
    they re-did it, and made it more radio-acceptable, which really
    pissed me off, because it's a killer tune. At least they left
    Love Removal Machine.
    
    /Motorbreath...who LOVES the CULT

    re: .15 (or was it .14)  Whoever commented on them redoing "Wild
    Flower" and leaving "Love Removal Machine"... 
    
    Kinda ironic, isn't it, that "Wild Flower" did absolutely nothing, and
    "Love Removal Machine" was a moderate hit.  Like their attempt at
    commercialism backfired on 'em.  If LRM was any indication of the
    rest of the album, I'd have to say it definately *wasn't* overproduced.
    That track had a great RAW sound!
    
    gh

    That RAW sound is very consistent through out Electric.  Almost
    too consistant.  The producer found the sound and stuck to it for
    the whole album.  To me, this is over-produced.
    
    But don't get me wrong, I love this album.  The production DID NOT
    hurt it at all.
    
    Steve O (who loves everything by them, even back to Southern Death
             Cult times)

    Just heard from a friend that The Cult's new album will be
    released on April 4.  Haven't been able to verify it yet but
    sounds about the right time.  
    
    Anybody heard anything more?
    
    Candy

    I seen the new video last saturday night on Headbangers Ball!  It
    was a great song. But I was too intoxicated to remember the name
    of it! (Sorry) It sounded much more mature than the other Cult songs
    of the past! I'm sure the new album will be awesome! I'll look for
    it April 4th!

The new song is called "Fire Woman" (I think). The band claimed that they
tried to get a mix between the first and second album, and I think that's 
pretty much what they did with this song. It has the melodic feel of 'Love',
but it has the kick that 'Electric' had. I like it.....

cat

    re:.22
    
    	That was EXACTLY the impression I got when I heard the song!
    I think the single is fantastic.
    ...can't wait for the album to come out!
    
    Oh yeah... Billy Duffy seems a LITTLE more adventuresome
    on guitar on this song.
    I wonder if the band's personnel has changed since ELECTRIC.
    ???
    
    /Motorbreath

    You mean he's learnt three chords now ??

    Naw dude, FOUR!  *ALL* their old songs had THREE!
    
    ...or did you mean three chord FORMS?   :-)
    
    GH

    
        I think I heard the new song on the Top 5 at 5:00 last
        night.
    
                                                       GTI
    

    
    
    
    Yup!!
    
    "Fire Woman".  Great tune!!
    
    The Cult is fantastic!!  IMO
    
    Plus, I think they have a very original sound!!
    
    
    Tony - you best be careful, or when I pick you up in Boston, I'll
    only bring Cult tapes!!   8*)   just kidding I think
    
    F.

    re: .26
    
    WAKE UP!!!
    
    Look back a couple replies from yours, there's album
    release info.
    
    /Motorbreath...

    Hey Francine, bring em! I like the Cult  8^)

    Yeah, gotta agree...
    
    Looking forward to April 4th!
    
    gh

    
    � looking forward to April 4th  
                                    
    Yeah, me too... 
                ...what happens April 4th ??  8^)

    Well, It's april 4th.  Is it out yet?  I'll be heading to the record
    place on my lunch break today.
    
    BTW, the album will be called "Sonic Temple".  Fire Woman is a great
    tune.
    
    Supposidly they are going to open for Metallica on the last leg
    of the tour. (I case any of you got the program at the Metallica
    show, the tour will go on another 1.5 to 2 months longer than the
    dates in the book)
    
    Can't wait to hear the new album.
    
    Steve O

                               
    I picked up the 12" from R.210.  Its not impressive - having said
    that, its a 10 minute mix on one side and a seven minute on the
    other so its bound to be naff!!
                               
    I'll give proper judgement when I have heard the (hopfully shorter!!)
    7".                        
    
    -Tony
    
    whos's just had some encouraging news re:passport

    I thought I read something in here about the new album coming out
    yesterday?? I went to Strawberries last nite to take a look and
    all I saw was shelf space, as if in preparation for the new album...
    
    What's it called, again???
    
    -vamp>

    
    I'm going to the Cult's Record Release party tonight...so maybe
    its not quite out yet.
    
    Buck

    Strawberries said it is delayed a week.  Next Tue. is the new date.
     8^(
    
    Steve O

    	The new Cult album's entitled "Sonic Temple".
    
    I can't wait!
    
    /Motorbreath

    
    The party tonight is at Axis in Boston, although I think its by
    invitation only.

    Was the band there, Buck?
    
    How was that party?
    
    -vamp>

    
    Band wasn't there but the party was good....the album is AWESOME

    
    Just called Strawberries....
    
    And.....
    
    They have SONIC TEMPLE in stock.  I forgot to check to see if the
    CD came in with the inferior mediums, so If anyone decides to call,
    please let us know.
    
    I heard another tune off the album on RAW POWER this weekend, and
    it was F***in' awesome!
    
    Steve O

    Sonic Temple is now available in all record stores in Reading -
    seems to be the cheapest in HMV.
    
    Flip

    Yup, Sonic Temple just shipped.  My friend at the Minor Chord in
    Acton just called me.
    
    Havta run over and pick that baby up
    
    Buck

    It went straight in to the UK Top 20 album chart.  Available on
    vinyl, cd, cassette.
    
    

    
    I picked up "SONIC TEMPLE" last night.  The CD runs over 57 minutes!
    
    The Sound is more like "Love" that "Electric" but has a heavier
    feel than 'Love'.  Les Warner, the former Drummer, has gone by the
    wayside.  They are now using some session guy, and man, does he
    rock!  The album was produced by some dude named Bob Rock. (I think)
    I'd never heard of him before.  Anyone know anything about him.
    
    For the first time, the Cult has put Keyboards in some of the songs.
    (I can see all of your sad faces now, but don't worry, they did
    it very little and very effectivly.(sp?) )
    
    Although FIREWOMAN is a great song, I don't think it's one of the
    best on the album.
    
    One bad thing though is that the CD doesn't contain the Lyrics.
    8^(   Common guys!  I can't see any reason for not including lyrics!
    
    Anyway, the album is Fantastic and I urge all of you to blow off
    work at the earliest possible convienence and get this album.
    
    Steve O

    I picked up the tape last night too. It's pretty good. It's sound
    definitely falls between LOVE and Electric..
    
    Soul Asylum is my favorite tune on the tape.
    
    jk

> The album was produced by some dude named Bob Rock. (I think) I'd never 
> heard of him before.  Anyone know anything about him.

He's done a lot of rock/hard rock albums. First off, he is half of the 
band Rock and Hyde, who had a hit a little while ago with the song "Dirty
Water". (I saw them at the Paradise, and they were pretty good.)

He produced and/or engineered a bunch of albums, including the last 
Aerosmith and the Kingdom Come LP. I think he also worked on the last
couple Bon Jovi albums. And Aerosmith is recording with him agan. Works
out of Vancouver, Canada.

cat

    I thinks it's great!! Defininte mix of Electric in Love though,
    but good.
    
    I was talking to this girl from LA, who's really into them, and
    she says there's an album/single/something out before Love came
    out, called "Flowers" or something like that...anyone know where
    I can get this album, I wouldn't mind hearing some early Cult.
    
    					-Vamp>

>    I was talking to this girl from LA, who's really into them, and
>    she says there's an album/single/something out before Love came
>    out, called "Flowers" or something like that...

Yeah, they had an album out prior to 'Love', although I forget the name.
A friend of mine has the CD, and its pretty good. I think its only 
available as an import, so check places like Rocket Record or Newbury
Comics.

cat

    You should pick up the Sudden Death Cult lp for REAL early Cult stuff! 
    
    You can get it at Newbury Comix usually.

    This "Bob Rock" is he anything to do with "Rob Rock" the guy who
    sung on the Project Driver Album & also with Joshua.....???
    
    Bonzo

    re .52
    
    Check out note 234.7 for a sort-of complete diskography.
    
    Steve O

    .51 I saw a coupla Older CULT /S.D.Cult at the Newbury Comics in
    Burlington, Ma. I'm sure the Newbury C. in "THE GARAGE" at Harvard SQ.
    also has some older stuff. I've been told the lp's before LoVe weren't
    so much the Heavy Metalish noise that's made them great.
    
    jk

    So, were they the "Southern Death Cult" as I originally thought,
    or were they the "Sudden Death Cult" (which isn't what I think
    they were, although it's a MUCH coooooler name)?
    
    	I LOVE Sonic Temple!!
    
    A very adventurous, excellent, ROCK AND ROLL album.
    Bob Rock is definitely a much better producer for this band
    than Rubin was. 
    	
    	Also Billy Duffy is MUCH more active on guitar on the tunes
    on this album, and the session drummer they got for the album
    is great.
    
    A definite "wicked hella" thumbs up for their latest effort!!
    
    /Motorbreath

    RE: Mike, they were the Southern Death Cult like you thought.
    
    john

    ...and then they shortened it to Death Cult for a while, before
    becoming what we know them today!

    Buck

    	Sonic Temple is the best new hard rock album in a while.  They
    really jam on the new album!  Check out "Medicine Train" on the CD or
    on the Edie (Ciao Baby) single.  That tune KICKS A**!  Also Sun King,
    and New York City.  Edie kicks as a sort of ballad (about Andy Warhol's
    girlfriend dead from heroin) Sweet Soul Sister and Soul Asylum are
    great moody tunes, you can really feel them.  Bill Duffy is getting
    better with his solos and his feel.  Ian Astbury's voice is stronger than 
    ever, and Jamie Stewart's bass lines are moving the songs like always.
    	Ian has been producing the new Steve Jones (from Sex Pistols) album
    and sings a song with Axl Rose.  
    	In concert, they were so intense.  They were alot better in
    Worcester than in Manchester, NH.  They should be coming around soon as 
    headliners, and I'll be first at the door.
    	
    				See you there!
    				Steve -Flying high on the Medicine Train

    One thing that's cool about The Cult is their collectibility.  They
    have so much stuff kicking around.  This weekend in Ohio I found a new
    Electric poster, a CD single in a nice leather case with a cool picture
    inside, Sonic Temple on red vinyl, and a Sonic Temple CD with a laser
    hologram cover.
    
    Whoever does their marketing at Beggars Banquet really likes to make
    stuff.
    
    Steve

================================================================================
Note 468.23                         The Cult                            23 of 25
FORTY2::ETHERIDGE "The Pig Ferret"                   56 lines  27-NOV-1989 15:47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, I went to Wembley Arena on Friday having never seen The Cult live 
before, and I must say that none of my preconceptions about how thay would be 
live were shattered. Terrific. Very powerful.

Heres a list of songs played, in not the order that they were played.


From 'Sonic Temple'

Sun King   - a storming rendition
Fire Woman - another stormer
American Horse
Edie(Ciao Baby)
Sweet Soul Sister
Soul Asylum
New York - is that the title? I can never remember

From 'Electric'

Wild Flower - a stormer of an old fave with the crowd
Lil Devil - another old fave lovingly recreated
Love Removal Machine - yet another classic from the Electric album
Born To Be Wild

From 'Love'

Love - one of the best tracks from Love given a good thumping
Rain - and another fave
She Sells Sanctuary - yes, and another

Were there others? I cant remember. Duffy was superb on guitar, and gave it 
all of those classic textbook guitar hero poses. Stewart on bass was solid
and dependable as ever, as was the drummer, some guy called Matt Sorum. Astbury 
however had a bit of a bad throat so took to singing only the second halves of
lines towards the end of the show which was a shame. Supposedly they were 
filming the Saturday night performance but I wonder if Astbury's voice would 
made it through to Saturday night. But anyway, the boys gave it all they had, 
and were all over the stage like headless chickens for the evening. Rock and 
roll.

From Sonic Temple, I wish theyd played Soldier Blue, a personal favourite.

Supporting were the Claytown Troupe, a fairly standard HM act. They went down
fairly well with the crowd and had a few good numbers.

The programme made interesting reading aswell. Besides all the 'The Cult are
not just and ordinary rock band' sort of pap was one of those Pete Frame band 
family trees. It revealed that Duffy was in a band with Morrisey and that he 
also taught Johnny Marr his first chords at the age of 16. So is Billy Duffy
responsible for depressing music in this country via his spawning the musical
careers of The Smiths ;^). I'll leave you to argue this one out.

Anyway, thats my account. Anyone got anything else to add? 

Ian.

================================================================================
Note 468.25                         The Cult                            25 of 25
FORTY2::ETHERIDGE "The Pig Ferret"                   18 lines  27-NOV-1989 17:39
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve,
   They opened with 'New York'. A very tense start to the show with lots of 
darkness and eeries noises, then blasting into the riff and hell broke loose.
 
Yes they did have an extra guy on keyboards (Sweet Soul Sister would have been
tricky without one) but he wasnt on stage all the time, and as for rhythm guitar,
Duffy didnt appear to need one, cos he was generating so much noise on his own.
I think at some points he used some sort of effect, (or the mixing boys did) to
keep any rhythm bits repeating while he did his thang. Dont know fully.

As far as being L.A. or British metal, they were just rocking hard, do you
know what I mean? They didnt particularly remind of the L.A. metal bands or
your typical British Iron Maidens.

Im afraid there was nothing from Dreamtime. It would seem that they have left
that episode behind them and moved onto new pastures. Indeed, the tour programme
described how The Cult thought of Dreamtime as little more than a glorified
demo.

    This weekend I got my hands on a most prized posession.
    
    It's called "Electric - The Manor Sessions".  What it is is the
    Electric album recorded with Steve Brown (who produced Love) before
    they went and recorded with Rick Rubin, which is the album that is out
    today.
    
    It is amazing what a little (or a lot of) production can do for a band.
    Personally, I like the original Electric better than the one you know
    of.  It's their own sound and it doesn't sound like they're trying to
    be AC/DC or whatnot.
    
    It has the same type of sound as Love, but it's just as hard as Electric.  
    It's just not with straight distortion.
    
    I'm so psyched, because I knew this recording was out there somewhere,
    and I found it!
    
    Steve
                     

    I called WAAF and spoke with the nightime DJ.
    
    Tickets for The Cult at the Boston Garden on Friday, February 2
    go on sale this Saturday at 11 am.
    
    Actually, they go on sale at 10, but don't call until 11, so I get
    good seats.  :-)
    
    Steve

    re: .-2
    
    >It's their own sound and it doesn't sound like they're trying to
    >be AC/DC or whatnot.
    
    I still think they sound like they're trying to be UFO...
    
    Gh

    Really??
    
    I've never heard UFO.  Give me an example so I can check it out.
    
    Steve

>    I've never heard UFO.  Give me an example so I can check it out.

I think I mentioned this earlier, but "Love Removal Machine" reminds me of 
UFO's "Too Hot To Handle"....

alan

    I don't know about the UFO thing.
    
    I mean, I was listening to my "Manor Sessions"  [:-)] tape today, and
    even before they had Rikki Rubin screw it up, Electric, even LRM
    sounded pretty close to what it is now.  More polished, much better.
    
    The riffs are the same, just with overdubs.  You guys should hear
    Wildflower, though.  Completely different, you wouldn't even notice it
    if it slapped you.  Electric Ocean is completely different, too.
    
    I don't think they were trying to sound like UFO, I just think that
    after they messed around with it, that's what came out.
    
    Steve

    >I don't think they were trying to sound like UFO, I just think that
    >after they messed around with it, that's what came out.
    
    Could be, but it blew me away, the similarity.  That was the first I'd
    heard of the Cult and I'd been listening to UFO for years.  
    
    gh

    
    	I heard a song on the radio a few times called (I think)
    	"I Can't Explain".  It sounds like The Cult...is it?  The
    	times I've heard it the DJ never tells me who it is!!
    
    	Thanks
    
    	JJ
    
    

    I think that's probably the Scorpions' cover of "I Can't Explain"
    by the Who.
    You think it sounds like The Cult???
    
    hmmm..../Motorbreath

    
    Oh Judy!  What are we going to do with you!?!?!?
    
    The Cult!
    
    ;^)
    
    Flip

    
    re: Moto....sounds like them....I only like one other song by
    	The Cult so I'm not positive...whatever it is I like it...
    
    re: Flip
    
    	I dunno!!  Tigga told me I'm safe until I like Metallica.
    	I like Fade to Black but that's it for now...any others
    	and it's all over for me!!  =)
    

    Just thought I'd say hi and post some info...
    
    The Cult Sonic Temple Tour 1990
    
    February 2    Boston Garden
    February 4    Springfield Civic Center
    
    S

Dont forget to post a review of the upcoming gig Steve.

re:-  Electric - The Manor Sessions,

I read an article where Duffy said the reason that the guitar work was so 
elaborate in these sessions was because Ian wouldnt come out and sing until 
'everything was just right'. Duffys example was that Ian wouldnt sing until the 
moon was in the third quadrant, so Duffy just kept going in every day and laying
on more and more guitar.

When they felt the results were unsatisfactory, they took it all to Rick Rubin
who remixed what they'd got, but still they didnt like it. So they started
again. What snapped Ian out of all the 'third quadrant' rubbish was Rick Rubin
saying "Are you the singer?"  "Yes"  "Well get in there an *&^%$#@ sing then!"
when Ian had started to get a little pretentious.

Just thought I'd let you know why The Manor Sessions are so different from the 
final version of Electric.

Ian.

    Anyone goin' tonight?
    
    I'd love to, but the $$$ just ain't there, and I really don't feel like
    driving home in the snow after the show. 
    
    Besides, I've seen them 4 times now on the support of 3 different
    albums.
    
    Steve
    

	I know there are alot of Cult followers out there, so I thought
	this article found in Rip Magazine might prove to be some 
	interesting reading...

	Copied without permission.

	Tigga~~~    


	The one thing about time is, you can never tell what changes it will 
bring about.  To put the following interview in its proper perspective, it 
was conducted inside the Cult's tour bus in Chicago just after they replaced 
Queensryche as the opening act on Metallica's Damaged Justice tour.  "Sonic 
Temple" had broken into Billboard's Top Ten, and the single "Fire Woman" was 
receiving radio airplay as well as heavy rotation on MTV.  Since then, 
Metallica's tour has ended, "Edie (Ciao Baby)" was the second single and vid, 
and a European tour, co-headlining with Aerosmith in Germany, has taken place. 
Currently, a stronger than ever Cult are charging across the U.S., headlining 
major arenas with Bonham as their opener. 

Ah, yes, time...

	The Cult are, if you look at their history, a rather unpredictable 
pack.  The directional changes within the group, changes that came with 
maturity, are a crucial part of the Cult's appeal.  It takes balls to make 
changes, and the Cult are not afraid to experiment with their look or sound.  
From their import-only first LP, "Dream Time", which, as lead vocalist Ian 
Astbury puts it, "is little more than an overglorified demo," to their second 
(first U.S. release, "Love"), the changes had begun.  The future had begun to 
take shape.  While the rest of the U.K. was still wallowing in its post-punk 
hangover, a/k/a/ gothic/gloom rock, the Cult moved on.  "Love" saw the band 
break free of its dark, punk past and move toward a more psychedelic, more 
guitar-influenced sound.  The changes were even apparent in the Cult's 
appearance, i.e. the bright clothing.  "Love" also saw the Cult break ground 
in the U.S., mainly as a college-radio favorite.

	But for Astbury and his longtime crime partner, Billy Duffy, those 
moves and changes weren't enough.  Imaginative minds breed creativity, thus 
more changes were inevitable.  With the help of producer Rick Rubin, the 
foundations for "Electric" were laid.  "Electric" saw Astbury, Duffy and Cult 
member since "Dream Time", bassist Jamie Stewart, move back toward their Iggy 
and the Stooges, MC5, Led Zeppelin roots and influences.  "Electric" spawned a 
hit single and video with "Love Removal Machine."  It also saw the Cult on 
their first U.S. headlining tour with newcomers Guns N' Roses as the opening 
act.  The Electric tour saw Gn'R get their initial taste of playing before 
large audiences, as well as establishing that there indeed was a large U.S. 
market for the Cult.  The "Electric" phase also saw the Cult in turmoil, both 
financially and physically.  There were managerial problems, the entire 
Electric tour was financed by the Cult, and road vices, particularly excessive 
drinking, were taking their toll on the group's members.  Could it have been 
the beginning of the end?  Hell, no!

	After a much-needed rest and detox after the tour, Astbury and Duffy 
began working together on what, for now, appears to be the definitive Cult LP, 
"Sonic Temple."  With producer Bob Rock (Aersomith/Crue) they captured both 
the cerbral, textured side of the Cult, as well as the hard, heavy side.  
"Sonic Temple" is one of '89/'90's better relases, being 11 solid tracks of 
genuine rock'n'roll.

	"It surprised me how quickly it went Top Ten.  It was like, BOINK! 
We're in the Top Ten in our first three weeks, and "Electric" never made 
Top 30.  What's cool about chart success is, it makes people in the industry 
pay proper attention to you.  It feels really good to go into a truckstop in 
South Dakota and see Cult cassettes on a rack next to Waylon Jennings and 
Bon Jovi," declares Duffy.  "It's nice getting some of the recognition that 
might have overlooked us in the past.  Certain people, fans, whatever, don't 
associate the Cult as a hard-rock band.  They associate us with New Wave, 
new music, goth, whatever.  It takes time to convince people of what you're 
about.  You really have to shove it down people's throats that we're not an 
alternative-type thing, but rather an English rock'n'roll band."

	"One of the problems in America is, a lot of radio stations won't play 
our music.  A lot of it has to do with our name," explains Astbury.  "AOR 
stations say we're too heavy.  They say 'Fire Woman' is too heavy, which, to 
me, is really hard to believe.  the places where we get better airplay tend to 
go down better.  In Detroit (as Metallica's opener) we had 18,000 fans on 
their seats from the word 'Go.'  Tonight (Chicago, which saw Axl and Slash 
stagedive during Metallica's set) we started and finished in an outdoor venue 
with it still light outside.  Tonight was a lot more difficult, but I'm glad 
we're doing this Metallica tour, because it reinforces what I feel is going to 
be the peer group that's going to take this thing into the '90s.  It 
reinforces the Cult's connection with the way things are shaping."

	During one of the two nights in Detroit, Astbury -- who literally 
fears nothing -- as he has so many times in the past, jumped into the audience 
with absolutely no regard for his personal well-being.

	"Metallica fans are Metallica fans, and that's cool," says Duffy.  
"It's their gig.  The only other experience we've had as the opener is with 
Billy Idol.  From what I've been told, we're going down really well with the 
Metallica people.  At least people are in the auditorium instead of hanging 
out in the bar.  So far we've only had one incident:  In Detroit this geezer 
brought in a sign that said, 'The Cult s*cks.  Why don't you go Fire 
yourselves?'  So Ian went into the crowd, took the sign off him and ate it."

	"We were into, like, the fifth song, and I kept watching this guy, and 
he kept showing this sign up," Astbury recalls.  "Everytime he did this, the 
Cult fans around him appeared to get uncomfortable.  So I walked off the stage 
and walked 15 rows or so back to him, climbing over all the seats.  His three 
friends ran away.  I took the sign off him and ate (pronounced et) it.  It was 
done on paper, so I only actually digested about 1/10 of the thing, but I had 
about one quarter of it in my mouth.  Afterwards, a bunch of Cult fans jumped 
him, which was pretty uncool.  After all, a gig is supposed to be a festive 
occasion.  It's all rock'n'roll.  I felt it was unfortunate that the guy was 
jumped, but it was more like us making the point that we are going to stand up 
for ourselves, especailly if we're the opener."

	Knowing Astbury, it's true when he says he did not mean to incite the
crowd versus the sign guy -- just like he didn't mena to break his leg during
a stagedive in England, or just like he didn't intend to wind up in jail after
going after an overtly hostile bouncer who was pushing around Cult fans.  
Astbury's reckless abandon, soulful spirit and spontaneous actions make him a
figure fans must keep their eyes on at all times while the stage is the 
Cult's.

	"I think the intensity of music--whether it's us, Metallica, Guns,
whoever--is a vehicle for all kinds of different people to get together and 
release frustrations," explains the easygoing singer.  "Whether it be sexual
frustrations, political frustrations or economic frustrations depends on the
individual.  Fortunately, there's been very little violence on this 
(Metallica) tour.  I've seen violence with Guns, but mainly I've seen concert 
violence in Europe.  Concerts in Europe are quite dangerous.  Ask Lemmy.  (A 
fan threw a sharpened coin at the Motorhead bassist, which tore open his hand. 
If the coin had hit two inches lower, it probably would have sliced off his
finger).  In Scotland I saw a flying bottle miss Billy's face by inches.  If
it had hit him, it would have done real serious damage.  There's been stupid
sh*t on this tour; like, firecrackers were thrown at me in North Dakota, but
it wasn't really a big deal.  Nothing compared to what we've been through in
Britain.  Hell, last time we played Wembly, one of the security guys tried 
beating me up because I dove into the crowd.  I tried getting back on stage 
for the final chords of our final song and had to kick and punch my way there. 
That was pretty outrageous."

	Unless the spirit of the gig is too much too resist, Astbury rarely
stagedives anymore.  Instead, he takes the urge to fly out on his Harley-
Davidson Shovelhead.  The U.S. headlining Sonic Temple arena tour is in full 
swing, and is the Cult at their best to date.  Gone are the 
less-than-memorable gigs from too much drink and too many daze on the road, 
which for Cult and hardrock concert-going fans, is good news.  The "Sonic 
Temple" show is money well spent.

	The Cult said goodbye to '80s with a sold-out performance at the Long 
Beach Arena in California on New Year's Eve.  As for the next record and
next decade, if it's in typical Cult fashion/tradition ... unpredictable.

	

    
    Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy have begun work on a new Cult album, with
    producer Richie Zito.  The album should be released this summer.
    
    There is still no news on the new rhythm section of the band.
    
    Flip

    Care to elaborate on that a bit, Mike?

    New single Wildhearted Son just been released. I have to say it's not
    very immediate. It is fairly crunchy though, and judging by the other
    two tracks on the single Astbury's dived right back into the red
    indian/native american imagery in a big way.

>    Care to elaborate on that a bit, Mike?
    
    gh, that's the new Cult tune, as -1 stated.  

    You don't really expect me to read your p-names, do you Mike?
    
    ;^)

    fine then, consider it mutual!

    
    Review: The Cult - Ceremony                  3 out of 10
    
    
    Let me start by saying that I loved Love. I also thought the original
    (Steve Brown produced) version of Electric was great. Unfortunately 
    the released version was ruined by one of the most comprehensive 
    production hatchet jobs ever committed - stand up and take a bow Rick 
    Rubin. Sonic Temple combined the best/better elements into a great hard
    rock album. OK it was a bit heavy on the Zeppelin influences, but that
    seems to be par for the course nowadays.
    
    With Ceremony the Cult have gone for the epic in a big way. Astbury was
    never a great lyricist, but on Ceremony he is just embarrassing. Earth
    Mothers, beat combos and indians (native american kind) are all over
    the place and his girlfriend must die every time she hears Sweet
    Salvation. Most of the songs overblown, pretentious and just plain
    boring.
    
    Seems that Cult albums alternate between good and dud. On that
    reckoning the next one should be worth buying. For the Cult's sake I
    hope it is, this one isn't.
    
    MDP 
    

    I'll still buy it because I like the Cult.  If it has some heavy
    Zeppelin influences, I'll SURELY buy it!  Thanks dude!
    
    *8)

    
    
    re -1   *8)
    
    When you do buy it please let me know if you like it.
    
    MDP
    

    I love it!
    
    (more 2 cum)

    
    {splat!}

    
    Yuk!

    
    Hi folks!
    
    Since last note...
    
    	The Cult has released a box set containing all singles, live stuff
    and remixes through Sonic Temple era.
    
    	They toured with Lenny Kravitz (Orpheum, Mar or Apr '92).  
    In my most painful opinion, LK was better.  The Cult played almost the
    exact same set from the Sonic Temple tour.  A waste for $27.
    
    	They have been sued by the young Native American boy on the cover
    of Ceremony for like $XX million for not having permission to use the
    photo.
    
    	New song on the soundtrack for "Cool World".
    
    Steve

    I saw an interview with Ian and Billy on Raw Power a few weeks ago and 
    Ian has chopped all his hair.They said they are going back to the style
    of music from the "love" era.
    
    
    
                                                Staynz

    Mmmm. Raw Power eh? Is that still on at an unearthly hour of the 
    morning and is it still presented (?) by that gormless looking chap
    with the spectacles? His interviewing technique was/is diabolical.
    
    barry
                                                         

    re-1
    
    
    ahhhh a regular viewer..!Yup 2am its on and the guy is Phil Alexander.
    There is also a female who introduces the show,the best thing I can say
    about her is she is ok looking and has really nice hair!
    
    
                                                   Staynz

>.They said they are going back to the style
>    of music from the "love" era.
 
    Cool!  Could be really good!
    
    gh

    LOVE was awesome!!  The 2nd lp was *ok*, but I wish they had stayed in
    the Alternative vein as opposed to switching over to metal.

    My favorite was "Electric", I thought it was a good mix of the styles. 
    A straight ahead cranking rock & roll album!  "Love" does have my all
    time favorite Cult song, "She Sells Sanctuary", though.
    
    gh

    
    Anyone heard the new Cult tune yet from "Cool World?"
    
    I heard it on WAAF last Friday.  It was produced by Rick Rubin, who did
    the Electric album.
    
    It sounds something like U2's "The Fly".  Real industrial.  Quite
    different from anything they've ever done.
    
    Steve

    I was gonna say...
    
    "The Witch" -- the new Cult tune from the "Cool World" soundtrack,
    ROOLZ!!  This SOUNDS like the old CUlt from the LOVE days (back when
    I LIKED this band...).
    
    Hope they go more in this direction!! 

    I like the song, but I think they could do without the "megaphone"
    sound on the vocals.
    
    |KS|
    

    re: Steve
    
>    It sounds something like U2's "The Fly".  Real industrial.  
    
    Umm...
    
    No offense or anything, but neither U2 nor the Cult have ever done
    anything even remotely resembling "Industrial".  Listen to something
    like Skinny Puppy, Ministry, or Nitzer Ebb.
    
    gh

     
      RE: -a couple,  I read somewhere in an interview with the cult that
    they are moving back towards the 'Love' days, and the next album will
    be along those lines...
    
      I think it's a good move, because IMO  Ceremony was a letdown.  
    
    Ratt
    

    
    
    Beautiful song !
    
    SueJ

    I read in NME today that one of the tracks off of 'Cool World' (film)
    is a rip off of a song by Killing Joke, and the band (KJ) are taking The
    Cult to court for it.

    Killing Joke eh? I remember when Jazz whassisname took off to 
    Iceland for a while in anticipation of a nuclear holocaust. Very
    strange man. The "Nightime" album still sounds good though.
    
    barry.

    "Love like blood" is a classic.
    
    Murder Inc (ex killing joke memebers) are dead good n`all.
    

    Love days!? I want them to go back to the electric days.. Love sounded
    like REM with distortion.
    

     
      Love or Electric, doesn't matter to me, I like both.. As long as they
    don't do another damned Ceremony type album, because that one blew.
    
      "If you could see my eyes, there going wild."
    
    Ratt
    

    
    
     Well, I was just listening to Ceremony this weekend, I kinda like
    some of the tunes on it. I really like the LOVE album too. I don't
    think that Ceremony is THAT bad, its got some high points to it.
                                                                     mike
    

     
      For me, its something about the second side.  The last 4 songs that
    for the life of me, I get so bored listening to it, the songs seem like
    1 long boring song.
    
      I like Wild Hearted Son, Full Tilt, and if and White arent too bad.
    
     Overall, I say it again: I hope they go back to a previous sound.
    
    KR
    

    
    Ceremony wasn't quite as bad as everyone says, but it wasn't that good
    either.
    
    IMO, Sweet Salvation should have been a hit.
    
    I heard "The Witch" on the radio again.  What a cool tune.  It's REALLY
    raunchy...guitar wise...real heavy.
    
    The first time I heard of Soundgarden and some of the Seattle stuff was 
    from Ian about four years ago.  I guess it's catching up to his music. 
    Sounds good to me...  ;-)
    
    Steve

    
    
      I just heard "The Witch" and though I was impressed that it didn'
    sound like the last stuff they released, I wasn't impressed by it
    sounding like INXS had hijacked Ian Astbury, recorded the song and then
    released it as The Cult. Oh, well...hope the album's a little more
    original. 
    
     - Steve S.

    I am totally impressed with this group!  Are they import!  I have all
    of their cassettes.  Not a bad one in the bunch.  Some are good and
    others are great!
    
    Dana

    
    You mean "Are they imported?"
    
    If so, then yes.  They came from England.  Mostly in the LA scene,
    now...unfortunately.
    
    Steve

    I heard on the radio yesterday that The Cult will be releasing a new
    compilation album sometime soon.  I don't remember the title (something
    like "Classic Cult" or such).  Sounded like it'll be a greatest hits
    type package.
    
    gh

I saw it in the stores. It's actually a double CD (if I remember well) in a 
single size box.

Didier

    I was going to buy it but changed my mind at the last minute and bought
    the latest Nirvana cd!!
    
                                                staynz

    Well if ya haven't heard by now...
    
    	Ian Astbury (sp?)  lead singer of the Cult has joined a new band
    called "Holy Barbarians".  The Cult broke up a little while ago and
    Ian started up with these new dudes, all I can say about the new tune
    is "I'm not impressed once again." The last album sucked severly!
    And this new stuff just won't cut it.  What happen to the days of
    Love Removal Machine, Peace Dog, She Sells Sanctuary, SunKing, Sweet
    Soul Sister & all that other mind blowing crap?
    
    	So anyone else care to dis'em?
    
    		J

    I thought the new song was pretty good!  I thought some of the songs on
    the last album were okay too.  It wasn't GREAT, but I didn't consider
    it to "suck severely" either!  
    
    (That was the one with the Ram on the cover, right?)
    
    Ken
    

    Yeah it was.  With dual horn and all!
    
    	I thought it sucked compared to the really great crap is all.
    
    No offense intended !

    
    I like the new tune by Holy Barbarians myself. I only have one Cult
    disc, Sonic Temple which is ok. Most of it is pretty good. I can't
    think of the name of the tune they used to play a lot before, one of
    their older tunes, sounds like soul stealer or salt shaker, talking
    about...etc...kinda medium paced tune....
    
    So dis this!! 
    
    ;-)
    

    Electric Love Machine

    
    	Close ... "Love Removal Machine".
    
    	I was partial to "New York City", actually.
    

    Oops, thanks!!!  It's been a while, can ya tell?

    
    	Well, when your answer was "Electric Love Machine", now you have
    	me wondering what "it's been awhile" since.  8^)
    

    agagagaga!  8-P

    Actually it sounds to me like he's talking about "Sweet Soul Sister".
    But you definatley need to get "Electric".  If you like Sonic Temple,
    you'll LOVE Electric.  It's alot more raw.
    
    Paully
    

    I`ll second that. Electric is one of my top 15 of all time.
    

    See that boys.....
    
    Go easy on the newby, he has just redeemed himself.  And I believe if
    you read back a few notes he said he liked Soundgarden too.
    
    Paully 8)