Watching The Fur Fly
Two years ago, The Psychedelic Furs released a classic single which never became hit. The song was called 'Love My Way' and it was to be The Furs' last British release for quite some time. The band packed its bags and moved to New York in what at the time could have been seen as 'a bit of a huff. Not a bit of it- as Richard Butler explains.
"No!" he assures me. "I heard that people thought we were disillusioned so we ran off to America, but that's not true at all. My brother Tim and I just decided to move to New York, we're young and we wanted a change of pace. “We've spent the last two years touring and building up a following over there because there's more of a 'rock' audience whereas here it tends to come and go a bit."
The Psychedelic Furs' new single "Heaven' has shot up the chart at a spectacular speed, so how do they account for this resurrection? Richard leans back and grins. "I haven't got a clue," he says. "Well, actually I kinda have; it's probably the most accessible thing we've ever done and also we've got a hard core of fans here. I'm just pleased that we've come back after two years and done this well, I can't think of many bands who could do that. I'm flattered."
I ask bassist Tim what differences he has noticed since returning to Blighty to promote "Heaven?” “Well, when I came back I didn't know half the bands," he says. "People like The Smiths. Prefab Sprout and Nik Kershaw. I was surprised how 'pop' England has got. We do keep in touch with the English bands because as soon as they have any success here, they go over to New York and we meet more English musicians over there than we ever did here."
The Psychedelic Furs spend most of their time touring America, a seven month stint not being unusual, but unlike British tours they can actually make a living at it over there. Richard's revelation that he can now afford to live anywhere he wants to is proof of the mega bucks currently being pursued by Brits with a guitar and a plane ticket.
Have The Psychedelic Furs managed to escape the overpowering influence of American life and culture? “Well, our music has changed," says Richard. "I couldn't say we're Americanised, we're not Supertramp or anything like that. "The lyrics have changed as well because what you write depends on what you're surrounded by. I’m not going to sit in New York and write about the Tory government.
"President Gas' was about right wing politics but I think the value of writing political songs is massively overrated. All it guarantees is that you won't get radio play, it doesn't guarantee you'll change anyone's beliefs." New York is of course a paradise for clubbers, but Richard prefers to stay home and watch TV. As a TV freak myself I'm intrigued by his run down of New York's television. offerings. Just imagine 24 hours of 'Blue Thunder' and 'Dukes Of Hazzard' — yuk!
The Psychedelic Furs will finally be playing here in May and Richard and Tim have promised they'll play 'Love My Way'. Check them out and welcome them home.