Autumn Tour 2024

Last week The Psychedelic Furs announced new tour dates this Fall and it will be a co-headlining tour with The Jesus And Mary Chain, plus special guest Frankie Rose.

To my delight The Furs are coming back to the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon on October 30th. The last time The Furs went to Portland was back in 2019, and the last few shows they did in Oregon were in Forest Grove and Jacksonville in 2022, and Eugene in 2023. I'm happy they are returning to Portland, and I'm glad they chose a venue that I'm familiar with. I already bought the tickets and I can't believe it will be my sixth time seeing The Psychedelic Furs, which is so hard to believe.

Although what's disappointing is that my brother is unable to go with me this year. Before the tickets went on sale I texted my brother and asked him if he would like to go with me again and if his fiance would want to go too. If that happened then I would get three tickets for us. My brother replied and said that he would ask his manager at work (my brother works in retail) if he can get the day of the concert and the next day (Halloween) off, and would let me know if he got those days.

Unfortunately my brother replied again and said with that week being Halloween and his store getting ready for Christmas, he would be unable to get those days off. I'm really disappointed it didn't work out, but either my mom or dad will go with me instead. If one of them went, it would be their first time seeing The Psychedelic Furs in 37 years, which is really interesting. They saw The Furs during the Midnight To Midnight tour in 1987.

Last year in Eugene. Photo by me.

Update on John Ashton #3

Today on the PFurs Facebook fan page someone shared a post from Satellite Paradiso and their post was an update on John Ashton. It has been over a year since I heard anything about him and his health but thankfully the band had good news. They said that John is officially in remission!! I'm so happy John is doing okay now and I want to congratulate him and his family. I hope there will be brighter days ahead for John and that he will continue to feel better. Wishing him all the best.

On Satellite Paradiso's post they included a message from John Ashton himself.

"June 3, 2024

Dear Friends,

As many of you may know, in June of 2021 I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer. This coming on the heels of Covid was an unwelcome surprise. However, I was lucky enough to receive treatment through MSK in NYC & Westchester.

After 50 doses of radiation, (25 in one treatment, followed by 25 daily radiation treatments over the course of the following five weeks) 2 years of hormone therapy and a daily study medication, I am thrilled to report that the treatment was a success and I am currently in remission.

I could not have done this without the help and support of my family and friends and for them and to you, I will always be truly grateful. I was one of the lucky ones, we have all lost too many friends to this disease.

I really appreciate all the positive messages and my hope is that my experience will give others fuel to carry on the fight.

However, I cannot lie, despite the positive health outcomes, it's been a rough couple years. There has been little to no music or film work during this time and the wolves are constantly at the door. Hopefully this will change and the universe will bring new energy to tap into.

Thanks again for the outpouring of love and support. It has meant the world to me and my family. It has changed my life for the better and for this, I am truly grateful.

Peace

John Ashton"

My Psychedelic Furs CDs #16

Richard Butler – Richard Butler (2006) (Koch Records KOC-CD-9987)

The very first solo album by Richard Butler. The musician on this album was Jon Carin, who handled all the instruments. The songs were written by Richard and Jon, but Tim Butler got two writing credits on the songs "Broken Aeroplanes" and "Last Monkey".

It's such a shame that this album is mostly unknown. It deserves to be heard because it is a beautiful album and I'm really disappointed it's not on Spotify. I want it to get a reissue, and maybe hopefully The Furs' current label Cooking Vinyl will acquire the rights to this album and rerelease it. I hope something like that will happen in the future.

One more thing I want to mention, today is Richard Butler's birthday. Happy birthday Richard!

Track Listing:

1. Good Days, Bad Days

2. California

3. Breathe

4. Satellites

5. Broken Aeroplanes

6. Milk

7. Nothing's Wrong

8. Second To Second

9. Last Monkey

10. Sentimental Airlines

11. Maybe Someday

My Psychedelic Furs CDs #15

Love Spit Love – Trysome Eatone (1997) (Maverick/Warner Bros. 9 46560-2)

The second and final album by Love Spit Love. Tim Butler didn't play on Trysome Eatone because he left shortly after the first album came out; but he got a writing credit on "It Hurts When I Laugh".

Trysome Eatone is a really good album but I have to say I prefer Love Spit Love more. I love the grunge sounding music on the latter and to me it fits the Love Spit Love band name perfectly.

Track Listing:

1. Long Long Time

2. Believe

3. Well Well Well

4. Friends

5. Fall On Tears

6. Little Fist

7. It Hurts When I Laugh

8. 7 Years

9. Sweet Thing

10. All God's Children

11. More Than Money

12. November 5

My Psychedelic Furs CDs #14

Love Spit Love – Love Spit Love (1994) (Imago 72787-21030-2)

The first album by Richard Butler's other band Love Spit Love.

Track Listing:

1. Seventeen

2. Superman

3. Half A Life

4. Jigsaw

5. Change In The Weather

6. Wake Up

7. Am I Wrong

8. Green

9. Please

10. Codeine

11. St. Mary's Gate

12. More