FURS AND LAST AND ALWAYS
The Psychedelic Furs have produced one of the 'greatest
hits' LPs of the year. Lisa Tilston talked to mainman motormouth Richard Butler
about the past... the present... and the future...
BACK WITH A BANG
Motormouth Richard Buffer is a neurotic, self-obsessed,
difficult man so they say. The tempestuous singer of pop-punksters the
Psychedelic Furs has been pushed over the edge by dalliances with drink, drugs
and the fame game...
Well, that's the story. But those of you longing nostalgically
for the phenomenal Furs of days gone by are in for a surprise. This year's
model is leaner, fitter and back with a vengeance not to mention a compilation
album that spans their lengthy career.
The last single, "All That Money Wants', is laid back
and lovely, like a more sensuous Bunnymen, while the flipside, Birdland, is
guitar heaven. Both are produced by fifth Smith' Stephen Street. If that isn't
enough to dispel any lingering doubts, one look at Butler will provide all the
reassurance you could ask for.
These days he's more the benign businessman than the
preening punk peacock. He's relaxed and urbane, crisply dressed without a trace
of the famous black leather. The liquid brown eyes twinkle merrily, and the
voice that smoldered over the soundtrack of the box- office smash Pretty In
Pink' is positively chirpy
Long before it was immortalized in celluloid, the brooding
Pretty In Pink' was the definitive Furs song. But the compilation, 'All Of This
And Nothing', is a reminder of other past glories, the inclusion of the new
single bringing it right up to date and pointing the way for the future and a
new LP next year.
The Furs formed in 1977 as a celebration of early punk
ideals and a reaction to deadhead conformity. After all this time, despite Butler's
personal ups and downs and a constantly changing band line-up, they sound as
fresh and exciting as ever.
“I feel some of the songs are classics," says Butler.
"On our last album, 'Midnight To Midnight, I had writer's block. I just
hit a brick wall. It was a real struggle to write lyrics, and I think it shows.
It's not an album that I'm proud of, and that's why I'm glad to be putting out
a compilation to redress the balance.
"Midnight To Midnight sold more than any other album
we've mode, yet it's not really representative. It's quite daunting to think
that people have got the idea of you as one kind of person when in fact you're another
kind of person. I've just decided to get on with it show them what you're
about, Richard!"
MAN IN THE MIRROR
I don't drink or take drugs now because I want to be wide
awake for the rest of my life," says Butler. "I wouldn't say I was a
full-time hypochondriac, but I do worry. Sure, I'm a manic depressive, but at
the moment I'm on remand." The vegetarian, teetotal, non-smoking Butler
certainly looks healthy and serene, despite an alarming pallor. Whether the
girls who lusted after his leather clad, tortured good looks will take to this
clean-cut image remains to be seen. Does Butler enjoy being treated as a sex
symbol?
“I think it's really funny! When I was in my early twenties
I was very insecure about myself sexually. I'm not an incredibly macho person,
if I'm neurotic in any direction that's the one. As a teenager I was very shy,
and I went to a boys' school. You come out of there and you don't know how to
deal with the opposite sex at all. It took me years to get over it."
But you have a reputation for being terribly vain! "I'm
not as vain as I have been in the past," he admits. "I think you're
setting yourself up for a dreadful blow if you're vain! I like to be able to
look at myself and say, yeah, you look OK, but it's not like I hang around in
front of mirrors all the time.
"I am a great poseur for photos and on stage though. I
automatically get keyed up by going in front of an audience. I love performing.
I could almost recite the telephone directory and get a buzz out of
THE ANIMALS OF
HISTORY
To many people, the Furs are the kind of band you remember
everything about, from the venue where you first saw them to your fan club
membership number. Does the idea of being a pop icon alongside Bolan and Bowie
appeal to Richard Butler?
“I don't really care! I never started this because I wanted
to be rich and famous. I don't think that a couple of generations from now
people will be listening to the music of this era and loving it. It doesn't
last that long
"The important thing about music is to love doing it. I
nearly lost sight of that at one point, and I've had to learn how to enjoy it
again. I want to make an album which I feel is the best we can possibly do.
"If you take too much notice of the pressure it
bleaches out any hint of pleasure and creativity and it becomes a real battle.
You have to let go and relax, and that's when you make the best music.
Will you ever be completely satisfied?
"I hope not! I'd hate to be fat and smug and have
people coming round making documentaries about me!
In a way, 'All Of This And Nothing' is a self- deprecating
title. There's always an awareness that on the one hand you want to change the
world, but on the other hand you might not be able to affect the way that
people think
It’s a great file for a compilation - this is the best we've
ever done, but I'm not making out that it's going to change the world!"
Does the self-mocking chuckle suggest you have a keener
sense of humour than you're often given credit for?
"Yes, I think so, but then that's quite a recent thing.
I tend to take myself less seriously all the time. I'd like to think that by
the time I die I have discovered what life is genuinely about.
It’s not about standing in front of the mirror being vain,
it's not about having however many records in the pop charts, or making money.
It's about your own experience, being in touch with yourself creatively,
instead of fighting against yourself. It's finding out what you are, and using
what you are."
Have you learnt to like yourself more as you've got older?
I’ve become aware that it's not important whether I can woke
up in the morning and love myself. It's important that I can accept myself."