The Candy Shop #9

Siouxsie And The Banshees (It's Pronounced Suzie)

by Nayt Housman

I was watching RAGE this morning and chatting away to my husband when I heard this sound, like PJ Harvey in her punk-rock years but different, 80’s style. I looked at my TV to find Siouxsie And The Banshees; it’s a name I’ve heard for most of my life but never really known much if anything about. If you had asked me to recall their most well known songs I’d draw a blank. Why have I never discovered them before??? Maybe I was too ashamed to bring them up in conversation because I couldn’t figure out how to say Si-oux-sie? Sio-uxs-ie? Well consider them discovered.

 

My introduction to Siouxsie And The Banshees ‘Spellbound’ hit me with its “post-punk-pop” galloping beats and jittery guitars. Then there’s the voice of Siouxsie Sioux, like the mother of Karen O and PJ Harvey, deep, powerful, desperate and dreamy.

 

Skeletons, fire AND lava? NO WAY! How could you not love this? Is it possible to have a personal music revolution in a day?

Then there’s the outfits and makeup. That girl is painted like a ghoulish drag queen on her way home from performing in some grungy club. Where has she been all my life?

 

Previously my music taste was always in search of the newest, weirdest kind of alternative pop goodies but lately I’ve learned the importance of looking back. In the 80’s especially I’ve found the root influences of some of my fave “modern” musicians and added some new favorites to my list. Plus who doesn’t love finding new karaoke tunes to belt out?

Siouxsie And The Banshees apparently are cult figures and pioneers in the punk-goth movement of the late 70’s and early 80’s. Who knew? Thank you RAGE and thank you Siouxsie And The Banshees for opening my world of pop just that little bit more. Please excuse me now; I have some new lyrics to learn.