CD: BBL46CD
RELEASED: 1996
LABEL: Beggars

01. Fatman
02. Moya
03. Girl
04. All Glory
05. Today
06. False Faces
07. Flowers in the Forest
08. Patriot
09. Crypt
10. Crow
11. Faith
12. Vivisection
13. Apache
14. Moya
15. Fatman

Ian Astbury grew up on Merseyside before moving , in his early teens, to Canada with his family. Following an introduction to the plight of the native North American Indians, a misguided 28 day stint in the army and inspired by punk rock, he returned to the UK to live in Bradford. The Southern Death Cult was started in early '81 by Ian with Buzz Burrows (guitar), Barry Jepson (bass) and Aki Nawaz Qureshi (drums). They quickly established themselves locally and were championed in the music press as the leaders of the next-big-thing, dubbed 'positive punk'. Media focussed on Ian's passion for Indian culture which extended to his costume, coiffure, lyrics and the group's name. Their London debut at Heaven (only their fifth gig overall), was played to a capacity audience and, despite big money offers, the band signed to Situation Two, an independent offshoot of Beggars Banquet. Their debut single, Fatman, topped the indie charts for weeks and the band toured the country, both as support to Bauhaus and headlining their own shows. However Ian realised the musical limitations of the group and wanted to pursue a harder rock so after a final gig in Manchester on 26 February 1983 he split the band, taking two thirds of the name with him. This CD release has been compiled from existing session and live material, their sole 12" single and alternative recordings. Apart from the single, none of the tracks were originally intended for release so the compilation stands as a working blueprint, a time capsule and a testament to the spirit of The Southern Death Cult and the roots of The Cult. The artwork has been tidied up using the original elements and the album has been remastered to give the music more punch and bring it sonically in line with modern CD's.

Influences / Similar Artists:
Gene Loves Jezebel, The Mission, Death Cult, Bauhaus