English post-punk band brings nostalgic new wave rock to SLO
Photos by Editor Skye Pratt.
Psychedelic Furs play a sold-out show at the Fremont Theater
—The Fremont Theater in beautiful downtown San Luis Obispo has been catching some pretty big fish for the locals lately, and this latest concert solidifies the recently renewed theater as a big-name entertainment venue. Not only does the Fremont screen classic movies, and serve as a historical community landmark, it can also bring down the house late into the evening with it’s star-studded shows.
Long-time local fan of the band, Amanda Young, shared, “It was a wonderful turnout! I’ve never seen the venue that packed. Of course, The Fremont is amazing. I love the art deco design, with the swirling ceiling, and whimsical murals. The mesmerizing light show only enhanced the theaters curvaceous interior; bathing it in hues of magenta, tangerine, and violet. My favorite part of the show was when they played, ‘The Ghost In You.’ The song is forlorn, yet beautiful. It perfectly captures the feel of teenage unrequited love.”
The Psychedelic Furs played a sold-out performance to a jam-packed house, lead by foxy sounding singer and artist Richard Butler, showcasing his poetic lyrics, innovative rhythms, and a touch of aggressive punk alternative flair. Started in 1977 and influenced by The Velvet Underground, The Psychedelic Furs are inspired by dark musings and romantic estrangement, a staple in most of their albums.
The band has a captivating sound, which may induce a sort of joyful melancholy. Richard Butler has been playing and touring internationally with his band, on and off for the last 40 years. His soulful, raspy voice is very unique and encompasses the style of an era so many hold dear. He and his bassist brother, Tim Butler know how to bring heavy tunes to the stage, with Mars Williams on saxophone, Rich Good on guitar, Amanda Kramer on Keyboards, and Paul Garisto on drums.
Music of the late 70’s, 1980’s and 90’s has been coming back into pop culture, and The Psychedelic Furs song, “Ghost In You” has been recently featured in Season 2 of the hit Netflix show, “Stranger Things.” The band has many notable tracks in movies, and the critically acclaimed film “Call Me By Your Name” brought their widely popular hit song “Love My Way” to the big screen in recent times. Their success and notoriety continue to gain momentum to this day, on account of their catchy sounds and radio popularity.
The 2018 Psychedelic Furs Tour takes the band across the West Coast of the United States, playing fan favorites across California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. After the U.S. they are off to Spain and the U.K. in the summer. The Psychedelic Furs will join in on Robert Smith’s 10 day “Meltdown festival” located in London’s Southbank Centre, featuring bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Placebo, Deftones, The Church and more.
The Psychedelic Furs continue to create memorable moments for fans across the globe, inspiring new generations to embrace their dark side.
For more information on upcoming shows at The Fremont Theater, visit www.fremontslo.com
