March 11, 2022 – The Wellmont , Montclair NJ

Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry

Being a high school product of the mid 80’s, and a fan of 80’s punk & rock music, (as well as John Hughes films), I didn’t know what to expect as I was driving up the Garden State Parkway, about to review the Psychedelic Furs.  Would they be stuck in the 80’s? What would they wear? Would they have 80’s hair?  Would they even have hair? How old do they really look (and sound)?  I mean, it’s been over 30 years since they’ve released an album. I thought to myself, I don’t think it will be a packed house… I mean, I danced to their songs at my high school prom for shit’s sake…

I arrived early and caught the opening act, Royston Langdon.  He seemed to have a following, as some of the young members of the audience who crowded the lower level of the theatre to experience him left after his performance. This, in turn, left me with a worried feeling, fearing a lack of attendance for the Psychedelic Furs.  

I found Royston to be an awkward mix of Johnny Cash & Justin Bieber (as if you can try to picture that) but as he played, I warmed up to him and can see why he has a cultish following. He played a hard-strumming guitar with a strong range of vocals, from a deep bass and upper baritone to a high treble. I enjoyed his performance.

Thankfully and a bit to my pleasure, the theatre filled quickly as the techs prepped the stage for the Furs. I found myself frequently looking back to the audience from up close near the pit, and each time I turned, the crowd filled in more and more.  Ultimately, it was truly a packed house of Psychedelic Fur fans and fans of 80’s music. I was pleasantly surprised.

The Butler brothers, Richard (lead vocal) and Tim (bass), and the rest of the band members, Rich Good (lead guitar), Mars Williams (sax) and Zack Alford (drums), walked on stage as the lights dimmed, greeting the applauding crowd with a wave as they took to their positions. Before even hearing a note or tune, I was immediately launched back to my high school days when I noticed their hair and Richard’s baggy pants accompanied by an English tuxedo jacket with tails.  Brother Tim on bass dressed more modern Rock & Roll, with side snap jeans and a skull embroidered blazer, as did Rich and Mars, with form fitting jeans, cool tee’s, and stylish button downs. A very cool political (more humanitarian) statement of peace was made by Rich Good, as his guitar adorned the Ukrainian flags colors of blue and gold, acknowledging his support as the country has been continually under siege by Russian forces these past 3 weeks.

As if the the visual of the band didn’t throw me back enough, the moment they started playing, the lead vocals of Richard Butler catapulted me, pleasantly back in time with his smooth melancholy tones.  The Furs didn’t act their age either, and what I mean by that is, they are great performers!  Theatrical, with plenty of movement as they seemed to connect intimately with the crowd, as if knowing the impact they had on their generation.  Tim interacted closely, leaning into the crowd with his bass and Mars used every inch of the stage as he played his iconic sax sounds for which the band is so well known.

The British Punk Rock band opened with “Highwire Days” followed by many more favorites, incorporating a good mix of new songs and old, including their famed “Pretty in Pink” – finishing off with “Heartbreak Beat” before the encore “Sister Europe” & “India”.

It was a great, nostalgic evening.  I found myself wanting to hear and see more, and I’d do it again in a “Heartbreak Beat”!

For more info please visit http://www.thepsychedelicfurs.com