Echo & The Bunnymen
The origins of this renowned '80s Liverpool group can be traced back to the spring of 1977 when vocalist Ian McCulloch (b. 5 May 1959, Liverpool, England) was a member of the Crucial Three with Julian Cope and Pete Wylie. While the last two later emerged in the Teardrop Explodes and Wah!, respectively, McCulloch put together his major group at the end of 1978. Initially a trio the group featured McCulloch, Will Sergeant (b. 12 April 1958, Liverpool, England; guitar); Les Patterson (b. 18 April 1958, Ormskirk, Merseyside, England; bass) and a drum machine which they christened 'Echo'. After making their first appearance at the famous Liverpool club, Eric's, they made their vinyl debut in March 1979 with Read It In Books, produced by whizz kid entrepreneurs Bill Drummond and Dave Balfe. The production was sparse but intriguing and helped the group to establish a sizeable cult following. McCulloch's brooding live performance and vocal inflexions were already drawing comparisons with the Doors’ Jim Morrison. After signing to Korova Records (distributed by Warner Brothers) they replaced 'Echo' with a person: Pete De Freitas (b. 2 August 1961, Port Of Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, d. 1989). The second single, Rescue, was a considerable improvement on its predecessor, with a confident, driving sound that augured well for their forthcoming album. CROCODILES proved impressive with a wealth of strong arrangements and memorable guitar work. After the less melodic single, The Puppet, the group toured extensively and issued an EP SHINE SO HARD, which crept into the UK Top 40. The next album, HEAVEN UP HERE, saw them regaled by the music press. Although a less accessible and melodic work than its predecessor, it sold well and topped various polls. PORCUPINE reinforced the group's appeal, while The Cutter gave them their biggest hit so far. A gripping piece of work, the single was notable for its raga-like bagpipe drone. In 1984, they charted again with The Killing Moon, one of their finest moments. The epic quality of the piece was in keeping with the group's grandiloquent character and again showed a raga-tinged influence in their work. The 1984 album OCEAN RAIN sustained their appeal and brought them into the US Top 100 album charts. In February 1986, De Frietas left the group to be replaced by former Haircut 100 drummer Mark Fox, but he returned the following September. The group were treading water with ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN, but were still active during 1988 when they recorded a version of the Doors’ People Are Strange. The new recording was produced by Ray Manzarek who also played on the track, and it was used as a haunting theme for the cult film, The Lost Boys (1989.) In 1989, McCulloch made the shock announcement that he was henceforth pursuing a solo career. While he completed the well-received CANDLELAND, the Bunnymen made the unexpected decision to carry on. Large numbers of audition tapes were listened to before they chose McCulloch's successor, Noel Burke, a Belfast boy who had previously recorded with St Vitus Dance. Just as they were beginning rehearsals, De Frietas was tragically killed in a road accident. The group bravely struggled on, recruiting new drummer Damien and adding road manager Jake Brockman on guitar/synthesizer. In 1990, they introduced the next phase of Bunnymen history with the promising REVERBERATION.