THE YEAR WAS 1976. The location: London, England. Susan Ballion and Steven Bailey were two members of a group that were called “The Bromley Contingent”, a group of scene makers who were huge fans of The Sex Pistols. The mysterious Bromley Contingent were outrageously dressed scene makers who often photographed by the UK press during that time. One night on a lark, Susan, also known as Siouxsie Sioux and Steven a.k.a. Steve Severin decided to have a go forming a band. They performed with two others (one was Sid Vicious on drums, pre-Sex Pistols) at the 100 Club, which was hosting the first ever punk rock festival. Suzi and the Banshees figured that they would play until "*the audience eventually booed them off."
That was the beginning of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Siouxsie and the Banshees were one of the most important bands to evolve from the early Punk/Gothic movement. They were very ahead of their time and to this very day they never seem to get the influnceial credit that they deserve. In between 1978 to 1996 the Banshees unleashed their abstract fury through numerous singles, assorted EPs, and 13 albums, making an impact on an audience whom were definitely "spellbound."
The star of the show without a doubt was Ms. Siouxsie Sioux herself. So far beyond the typical feminine rock stereotypes, she was tough, assertive, in control, imaginative, and extremely intelligent. She was also passionate and believe it or not, slightly vurniable. Through her lyrics she weaved various dark tales transforming the audience into the Banshees’ own world. A hybrid of silent screen siren, Dada/MayRay inspired, bohemian, tribal, Kali-esgue, dark goddess, androgyne, and stern leather mistress, her unique look was copied throughout the world. Her varied styles to this very day make the typical "new school Goth" look seem pale in comparison. (No pun intended there.)
Many souls were entangled into the Banshees’ web, although a few became causalities. John McGeoch from Magazine (and later a member of Public Image Limited) comes to mind. Of course, all the Siouxsie fans know about The Cure’s Robert Smith and his revolving Banshee membership during the mid-80s. Ex-Slits drummer Budgie became a permanent fixture in 1979 before the making of the Kaleidoscope album.
One of their best albums ever was “Juju”, released in June 1981. Rising from that time period was The Creatures, Siouxsie and Budgie’s then primitive side project. The hard-to find four single EP was titled "Wild Thing", released September 1981.
Another notable side project was The Glove featuring Steve Serverin and Robert Smith, with Jeanette Landrey on lead vocals, released in August 1983. The Creatures continued to drum their own stuff, releasing two other albums between 1983 and 1989/1990.
Siouxsie and the Banshees eventually broke into the US market sometime in the mid to late 80s. Starting with the album "Tinderbox" it produced one popular underground club hit "Cities in Dust." Later on as Siouxsie slowly changed her looks, getting rid of the huge spiky voodoo doll hairstyle. She gained more popularity with singles like "Peek-a-boo" and later "Kiss Them For Me", the later an ode to 50’s movie starlet Jayne Mansfield. At the height of her American popularity she became of part of the first ever Lapoolooza lineup along with Jane’s Addiction, Nine Inch Nails and Henry Rollins.
The Banshees finally called it a day in 1996, 20 years from the first initial forming at the 100 Club. In my personal opinion, that was the best thing the band could have ever done. I am aware that many people would disagree with me here, but honestly speaking it was time to move on. Siouxsie and the Banshees were becoming charactures of themselves; being pigeonholed within their own dark image which once so revolutionary back in the early 80s. (Unlike The Cure, which continues to embarrass them selves over and over again; give it up!) Siouxsie and Budgie joined hands once again with an updated version of The Creatures while Mr. Serverin went off to do his own project.
In 2002, Siouxsie and the Banshees reunited and toured America with "The Seven Year Itch" tour. Playing to packed houses along the way, Siouxsie and co. reminded us what was so great about the Banshees in the first place. If there is a lesson to be learned here, it is to never be afraid to do it on your own terms, which is exactly what Siouxsie and the Banshees have done all along.
Written by Penny Century, October 2002. Back in the so-called eighties, while your typical teenage girl tried to copy Madonna’ “Boy Toy” look, this author would have rather been busy deciding which hairpspray to use while perfecting the perfect Siouxsie-do. In other words yes, she was one of those “Siouxsie wanna-be/clones” back in the day. Only recently has the author dug out her old Siouxsie memobila after seeing the recent “Seven Year Itch” US tour and got the bright ideal to write this piece.
“Ray Stevenson’s Siouxsie and the Banshees Photo Book” by Ray Stevenson Originally Published in 1983 by Omnibus Press (UK)
