Columbia/Egg/Legacy will release The Psychedelic Furs first-ever live album on November 20th, 2001, which documents the band's reunion at The House of Blues in Los Angeles in May, 2001. The album, entitled Beautiful Chaos (Greatest Hits Live), features the six songs that made the UK and U.S. pop charts during The Furs' heyday (Dumb Waiters, Pretty In Pink, Love My Way, Heaven, The Ghost In You, and Heartbreak Beat) as well as other signature songs by the Furs including India, Sister Europe, Mr. Jones, and Into You Like a Train. Beautiful Chaos (Greatest Hits Live) also includes a new studio track from The Furs entitled Alive. Talk to Psychedelic Furs lead singer Richard Butler about music past and present.
Chicago, IL: Hello Richard. I saw your concert in Minneapolis. It was fantastic! My question: are you or any of the other Furs planning future side projects?
Richard Butler: No, we're just concentrating on the Psychedelic Furs now, doing the tour and hopefully releasing a new album next year.
Randolph, NJ: Although your music has a signature sound, who would you consider as your major musical influences?
Richard Butler: Bob Dylan, Sex Pistols, Roxy Music, David Bowie. They're the biggest ones.
niagara falls, ontario: Hi Richard, The Furs have always been #1 for me...I have been playing the Furs since the early 80's, and remember turning all my friends on to them!!!! The Furs and several other 80's bands, like JAPAN, Sex Pistols, The Jam, created an era in music that will never be duplicated again... What do you think of the current music scene? What are some of the new bands that you listen to? Thanks Richard, From George in Niagara Falls, Canada
Richard Butler: I don't think that much of the scene. What started out as alternative has become pretty predictable. The scene generally has changed, so now it's hit song-based as opposed to album based. I don't think people are interested in what bands have to say these days.
The last band I really cared for was Radiohead, and I like some of the songs off the Strokes album.
Lexington Park, MD: Richard, Any plans for a boxed set? I'd love to hear more live and different versions of your songs.
Richard Butler: Save me from more re-releases! This year Sony Legacy put out the second retrospective.
Lexington Park, MD: Richard, Will you be releasing the "All of This and Nothing" video collection on DVD?
Richard Butler: We haven't gotten around to the videos yet, but there's a lot of interesting stuff. Legacy are re-releasing the first four albums, and we're adding demos. If we were to do a DVD, we would go deeper and find interviews with the band. That would be great to put on and mix in with the videos.
Plano, TX: So is this the end of Love Spit Love? Are the furs getting back together? By the way I loved the cover of "How soon is now".
Richard Butler: Thanks for the compliment!
No plans to get Love Spit Love back together, and yes, the Furs are together.
Lansing Michigan: I remember when everyone compared your looks and singing style to David Bowie. Did you ever get tired of that comparison?
Richard Butler: I've never taken too much notice. Some would say David Bowie, others would say Johnny Rotten, and others Brian Ferry.
Hunan University, China: Can I get it in China?
Richard Butler: Can you download it from somewhere?
Comment from Richard Butler: Or get in touch with anna at www.burneddowndays.com and see what she could help set up. She helps fans get stuff, and there's a message board where you can try to find a copy.
Newark, Delaware: Will the set list remain the same for your current tour as it was for your House of Blues appearance? I would love to hear "All of this and nothing" live.
Richard Butler: No, the set list won't be the same. The House of Blues show was last year, and that tour was a basic "greatest hits". Having done that, we decided to do more of our obscure stuff, and throw some more new songs into the mix.
cincinnati ohio: what are some of your interests/hobbies when you are not touring. What does the average day in the life of Richard Butler consist of?
Richard Butler: Painting is what I did before I was in the band, and I've taken it up again. I get up in the morning, I help my wife feed and dress my little girl, take my daughter to day care, paint, go pick up my daughter, and then the evening isn't my own.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Hi Richard, What's your favorite and least favorite things about touring? Cheers and Kudos!
Richard Butler: My favorite thing is the time I spend on stage, and my least favorite is everything else: the junk food, the fact you're away from home and miss your family, the amount of traveling and how tiring it is. On our upcoming tour we don't have any days off.