Thursday, May 12, 2022

Tim Butler's Lineup Ranking

I thought this was interesting but here's how Tim Butler ranked The Psychedelic Furs lineups from an interview with the Chicago Tribune back in 2014.


1. The current version*: "The best that has ever toured."

Left to right: Paul Garisto, Rich Good, Mars Williams, Richard Butler, Tim Butler, Amanda Kramer. Photo by Reed Davis.


2. The first version: "Usually we were not sober, to be honest."

Left to right: Duncan Kilburn, Vince Ely, Richard Butler, John Ashton, Roger Morris, Tim Butler. Photo by Tom Sheehan.


3. The version that toured in support of the band's smash Midnight To Midnight album: "Very polished."

Left to right: Mars Williams, John Ashton, Paul Garisto, Tim Butler, Richard Butler. Photo by Henry Diltz.

Marty Williamson: Backup guitarist for the Midnight tour.

Roger O'Donnell: Keyboardist for the Midnight tour.


4. The rest of the '80s versions: "Very keyboard-y, a very big sort of stadium sound." (This one is pretty much a tie)


*Nowadays the lineup is still mostly the same but this time Zachary Alford is on the drums. He's very good and I would love to see him play with the band live someday.

Left to right: Tim Butler, Mars Williams, Zachary Alford, Richard Butler, Rich Good, Amanda Kramer. Photo by Matthew Reeves.


Sunday, May 1, 2022

Shrink Rap: Richard Butler

Photo: Tom Sheehan

Richard Butler was featured in the Shrink Rap section on the February 10, 1990 issue of British magazine Melody Maker.


How do you feel?
Fine so far...

Where did you go last night?
Played a gig in Nottingham.

What will you do today?
If I knew that already I wouldn't get out of bed.

Who are your favorite singers/musicians?
Martin Rev, Arthur Lee, Hank Williams.

If you could be someone else (alive or dead), who would you be?
Pablo Picasso for a day.

Who would you most like to kill if you could?
I never really think that.

What annoys you the most?
Stupidity, waste, pride, arrogance, hatred, fear, shame, need...

What do you consider your greatest strength?
As a musician, that I can't sing and that I like words.

What is your favorite record?
Love, "Forever Changes".

What was the last act you saw live?
Bob Mould at The Ritz.

What was the best moment in your life?
June 6, 1971.

What was the worst moment in your life?
July 18, 1987.

What is your greatest regret?
All your actions are final.

What's your favorite article of clothing?
Georgia Workboots.

Who would you most like to meet?
Jesus Christ.

What book are you reading at the moment?
"Jackson Pollock" by Steven Naifeh and G. White Smith.

What was the last film you saw?
"Roger And Me".

What do you never miss on TV?
Repeats of "The Living World" on cable.

What did you last receive in the post?
Postcard from London con Edison Bill.

What's your favorite word?
Anodyne.

What would you say to an alien?
Sorry you caught us at an awkward time, could you come back earlier?

What's your favorite tipple?
Saratoga.

What would you like your epitaph to be?
All of this and I regret not a day that I was sent.