Blue Plate Special: Echo and the Bunnymen
Echo & the Bunnymen, an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1978, quickly emerged as one of the most influential post-punk groups of their era. The original lineup featured Ian McCulloch on vocals, Will Sergeant on guitar, and Les Pattinson on bass, with Pete de Freitas joining as drummer in 1980. Their debut album, “Crocodiles” (1980), garnered critical acclaim and climbed into the UK Albums Chart’s top 20. Their second album, “Heaven Up Here” (1981), solidified their cult status, but it was the release of “Porcupine” (1983) and its hit single “The Cutter” that brought them mainstream success. This success was furthered by their seminal album “Ocean Rain” (1984), which featured the iconic track “The Killing Moon,” which was the song that first found it’s way into my ears through college radio, and I became a fan.
Despite internal tensions and lineup changes, Echo & the Bunnymen continued to make waves in the music scene. After their self-titled album in 1987 and the highly successful single “Lips Like Sugar,” McCulloch left the band, and de Freitas tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 1989. The band briefly disbanded but reformed in 1997, with McCulloch and Sergeant teaming up again, leading to the release of “Evergreen.” Although Les Pattinson departed in 1998, the band persisted, releasing several more albums and maintaining a loyal fanbase through extensive touring and critically acclaimed releases such as “Flowers” (2001) and “Siberia” (2005).
Echo & the Bunnymen’s enduring legacy is marked by their innovative sound, characterized by McCulloch’s haunting vocals and Sergeant’s distinctive guitar work. Over the years, they have continued to influence new generations of musicians and maintain their relevance in the music world. With albums like “The Fountain” (2009) and “Meteorites” (2014), as well as their reimagined collection “The Stars, The Oceans & The Moon” (2018), Echo & the Bunnymen have shown that their creative spirit remains undiminished. Their commitment to their music and their fans is evident in their continued performances and the timeless quality of their extensive discography.
Some of my favorites from their catalog:
Lips Like Sugar – from the album Echo & the Bunnymen (1987)
Never Stop – from the compilation Songs to Learn & Sing (1985)
All That Jazz – from the album Crocodiles (1980)
Holy Moses – from the album Meteorites (2014)
The Killing Moon – from the album Ocean Rain (1984)
It’s Alright – from the album Flowers (2001)
A Promise – from the album Heaven Up Here (1981)
Marble Towers – from the compilation B-Sides and Live (2007)
The Cutter – from the album Porcupine (1983)
