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The Cult Information
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'The Cult' are a British alternative rock band.
History
Death Cult (1983)
Originally formed in 1983 as 'Death Cult', taking its name from vocalist Ian Astbury's former band 'Southern Death Cult', Death Cult existed on the verges of the Gothic scene in London. The band changed its name on January 13 1984 before a Channel 4 television show "The Tube" to tone down their Gothic connotations and gain broader appeal.
The band members stayed the same from Death Cult: Ian Astbury (vocals), Billy Duffy (guitar), Jamie Stewart (bass) and Nigel Preston (drums).
Dreamtime (1984)
In April 1984 they released a single "Spiritwalker" which acted as a taster for their forthcoming album '"Dreamtime"'. This was followed by a second single, "Go West" that summer, before the release of "Dreamtime" in September. Both, before and after the album's release, the Cult toured extensively throughout England before recording another single, "Ressurection Joe", released that December. Following a Christmas support slot with Big Country, The Cult toured Europe with support from the Sisterhood (soon to become "The Mission").
Love (1985-1986)
Following the breakthrough success of the band's fourth single, "She Sells Sanctuary" (UK chart #15), The Cult entered Jacob Studios in London to cut the Love album. Prior to recording, the band fired drummer Nigel Preston, who had become increasingly unreliable, due to his drug use. Big Country's drummer Mark Brzezicki filled the gap left by Prestion. During this time the band's music and image shifted from its punk-oriented roots to 1960's psychedelia. In spite of severe criticism from the English music press, "Love" was a startling success for an independent record, selling big in Europe and cracking the international market. Over the next eight months, the band toured the world, this time with drummer Les Warner (who had played with Julian Lennon and Johnny Thunders).
Electric (1986-1988)
Once back in England, the band booked into the Manor with producer Steve Brown (who had produced the Love album). With the album finished, the band decided they needed a new approach. They headed off to New York City to meet with producer Rick Rubin in hope of him saving the album. Rubin suggested they re-record the entire album. This entirely new version appeared as Electric with the previous version "Peace" only surfacing on the Cult boxset. A few tracks from the Peace album appeared on singles. The Cult then headed on a world tour in support of the increasingly popular album with the help of Kid Chaos on bass with Jamie Stewart moving to rhythm guitar.
In the United States, they were supported by a then unknown Guns 'n Roses. At the end of the tour the band was caving into self destruction. In an effort to salvage what was left of their cohesion with some much needed change, Astbury and Duffy fired Kid Chaos, Les Warner, and moved to Los Angeles with Jamie Stewart. Les Warner sued the band for his firing with a court battle resulting. The Cult moved on undeterred, signing a new management deal and writing many new songs.
Sonic Temple (1988-1990)
For the next album, '"Sonic Temple"', the band recruited session-drummer Mickey Curry (Brian Adams) to fill the drumming role and Aerosmith sound engineer Bob Rock to produce. Recorded in Canada in late 1988, the album gained multiplatinum status. The band went on tour in support of the new album and new single "Fire Woman" with drummer Matt Sorum. In Europe they toured with Aerosmith. After the tour the band was on the verge of splitting with Jamie Stewart leaving (to move to Canada) and Matt Sorum (who joined Guns N' Roses).
In 1990, Ian Astbury organized the Gathering of the Tribes festival in Los Angeles and San Francisco with artists such as Iggy Pop, Public Enemy and Queen Latifah appearing.
Ceremony (1990-1993)
By the next summer, Astbury and Duffy were writing again for the upcoming '"Ceremony"' album. Micky Curry again played drums, with Charley Drayton on bass. The Cult were sued again, this time by the mother of the Native American boy pictured on the cover, for alleged exploitation.
A world tour followed with backing from Kinley Wolfe and Michael Lee, with the Gathering of the Tribes moving to the UK. Here artists such as Pearl Jam performed. The warm-up gig to the show, in a small nightclub, was in dedication to Nigel Preston who had died a few weeks earlier with the excesses of rock 'n roll having taken over.
The Cult (1993-1995) and post-break up (1995-1999)
Following the release of the single "The Witch", produced by Rick Rubin, and in support of a Greatest Hits release '"Pure Cult"', Astbury and Duffy fired the "backing band" and recruited Craig Adams (The Mission) and Scott Garrett for performances across Europe. This time The Cult were supporting Guns 'n Roses. With the same line-up, the band released '"The Cult"', an album produced by Bob Rock. The single "Coming Down (Drug Tongue)" was released with the band going on tour in support of the new album. During the tour Astbury quit to form "The Holy Barbarians" to mixed reviews.
Aftermath (1999-2002) and post-break up (2002-present)
1999 saw Astbury and Duffy regroup with Matt Sorum. The band signed to Atlantic Records and recorded a new album (Beyond Good and Evil) with Bob Rock in the producer's chair again. The current status of the band has been "on hold" since 2002, when singer Ian Astbury sought out a new opportunity to sing with The Doors, and drummer Matt Sorum joined Velvet Revolver.
The group has made no official announcement of regarding their permanent disbandment or chance of a reunion. The last official statement was in late 2002 when Ian Astbury declared them "on ice" indefinitely.
Discography
* Dreamtime (1984)
* Love (1985)
* Electric (1987)
* Sonic Temple (1989)
* Ceremony (1991)
* Pure Cult (1993)
* The Cult (1994)
* The Singles 1984 - 1995 (2000)
* Rare Cult (boxset) (2000)
* the best of Rare Cult (2000)
* Beyond Good and Evil (2001)
For a complete discography visit
Singles
| 'Year' | 'Title' | 'Chart positions' | 'Album' | | US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | UK | | 1989 | "Fire Woman" | - | #2 | - | - | Sonic Temple | | 1989 | "Sun King" | - | #21 | - | - | Sonic Temple |
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