Siouxsie and the Banshees - The Early Years

On September 20, 1976, Siouxsie and The Banshees made their debut at The 100 Club in London, which became one of the most iconic and influential bands of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. They were a last-minute addition to the 100 Club Punk Special and unleashed a twenty-minute performance art improvisation that featured fragments of "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles," "Twist and Shout," and "Satisfaction." The band's early live repertoire included the song "The Lord's Prayer," which was a white-noise assault on the senses and a barometer of the alienation many teenagers felt from the bloated nature of mid-1970s arena rock. In 1978, Siouxsie and The Banshees were propelled into the pop stratosphere and released the album "Hong Kong Garden." The following year, they released "The Scream," which was a savage critique of curtain-twitching suburbia, the cheap titillation of the tabloids, and the dangers of believing and following any one doctrine. 1979's "Join Hands" was a milestone of the band's increasing maturity, from the adrenaline-fuelled stomp of "Icon" to the phased guitar, saxophone, and bells of "Playground Twist." After a tour fraught with fractiousness, a new line-up with Slits drummer Budgie and Magazine guitarist John McGeoch, together with Siouxsie Sioux and Steve Severin, released the band's most experimental album, "Kaleidoscope."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 21 April 2023
Publisher: Wymer Publishing

On Monday, September 20, 1976, a momentous event unfolded in the world of music history, marking the birth of one of the most iconic, influential, and replicated bands of the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The stage at The 100 Club in Oxford Street, London, witnessed the arrival of an unknown Siouxsie and The Banshees, comprising Sid Vicious, Steve Severin, Marco Pirroni, and Siouxsie Sioux. This unexpected addition to the 100 Club Punk Special, which already featured The Clash, Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks, and The Damned, unleashed a twenty-minute performance art improvisation that showcased fragments of "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles," "Twist and Shout," and "Satisfaction." The Lord's Prayer, which would later become a staple of Siouxsie and The Banshees' early live repertoire, was a sensory assault, conveying the alienation many teenagers felt towards the bloated nature of mid-1970s arena rock.

Over time, Siouxsie and The Banshees experienced several line-up changes, culminating in 1978 when they were propelled into the pop stratosphere. Signed to a major record label, the band released "Hong Kong Garden" and penned one of the most influential post-punk albums of all time, "The Scream." This album served as a savage critique of suburban life, the cheap thrills of tabloid journalism, and the dangers of blindly adhering to any one doctrine. In 1979, the band released "Join Hands," which was influenced by the political climate in Britain and the tragic loss of life in World War One. This album marked a significant milestone in the band's evolution, showcasing a range of musical styles, from the adrenaline-fueled stomp of "Icon" to the phased guitar, saxophone, and bells of "Playground Twist."

Following a tour filled with friction, Siouxsie and The Banshees assembled a new line-up, consisting of Slits drummer Budgie and Magazine guitarist John McGeoch, alongside Siouxsie Sioux and Steve Severin. This new configuration released the band's most experimental album, "Kaleidoscope," in 1980. "Kaleidoscope" showcased a diverse range of musical styles, including elements of jazz, classical, and even folk, and marked a departure from the band's previous punk-influenced sound.

In conclusion, the unexpected performance of Siouxsie and The Banshees at The 100 Club in 1976 marked the beginning of a remarkable journey in music history. Their unique blend of performance art, improvisation, and musical experimentation paved the way for their success and influence, shaping the landscape of post-punk and beyond. Siouxsie and The Banshees continue to be celebrated as one of the most iconic bands of all time, and their impact on the music industry is immeasurable.

Weight: 376g
Dimension: 232 x 156 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915246240