The Psychedelic Furs released seven full-length albums between 1980 and 1991, each reveling in the noisy post punk that dominated the era’s British music scene. And if the Furs moved away from their trashy, Sex Pistols-ripping aggression as the years rolled on, they grew only more emotionally resonant by the end of a decade they helped define with a slew of memorable singles (including “Pretty in Pink,” which writer/director John Hughes used for his 1986 film of the same name, and “Love My Way,” so amusingly employed in the 2017 art-house hit Call Me by Your Name.
The Furs — whose only current original members are singer Richard Butler and his bass-playing brother Tim — reconvened consistently over the last 20 years for live tours, but an album of new material remained elusive until 2020’s Made of Rain, which had the misfortune of surfacing just as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, eliminating a planned tour. The new songs remain faithful to the Furs’ mid- to late-’80s approach — swirling, psych-tinged pop rock driven by Richard’s modest but heartfelt baritone and side-eyed romanticism.
The Furs started playing live shows again in late 2021 following a two-year pandemic-related layoff — the band’s longest period of dormancy since reforming in 2000 after an eight-year hiatus.
“Yeah, now we’re looser,” Tim told PopMatters in October when asked to compare the recent touring lineups to their early days. “When we first got back together [in 2000], we played the songs perfectly. Now we’re bouncing off each other more. On albums like (1987’s) Midnight to Midnight, the songs are very produced. Now when we play them live, it’s more rock ‘n’ roll.”
Those looking to hear the Furs’ beloved ’80s output during the Cincinnati tour stop will no doubt be satiated — the aforementioned movie-boasting hits, plus “India,” “Heartbreak Beat,” “Heaven” and the ever-timely “President Gas” are setlist staples — but expect a heavy dose of Made of Rain, too.
The Psychedelic Furs perform July 20 at the Andrew J Brady Music Center. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. X will open the show. There are no COVID-10 protocols. Info: bradymusiccenter.com.
Stay connected with CityBeat. Subscribe to our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google News, Apple News and Reddit.
Send CityBeat a news or story tip or submit a calendar event.
