Ian Robert Astbury is an English rock musician and songwriter best known as
the lead vocalist for the rock band The Cult.
Pre-Cult In 1979, while living in Glasgow, he was
deeply struck by The Doors' song "The End", which he heard while watching the
movie Apocalypse Now, later describing this as "a religious experience". In
1980 he was in Liverpool, where he was active on the punk scene based around
Eric's Club. After he was made homeless due to a dispute with a landlord over a
party at his bedsit apartment, he ended up following Anarchist Punk band Crass.
After a period of living in squats and sleeping rough, he moved to Bradford in
late 1980. Here he was a founding member of the positive punk band Southern Death
Cult in 1981. Southern Death Cult lasted until March 1983, when it was dissolved.
Along with guitarist Billy Duffy, bassist Jamie Stewart and drummer
Raymond Taylor Smith, Astbury formed a new band, Death Cult, released The Death
Cult EP and later dropped Death from the name to become The Cult.
The Cult Southern Death Cult referred to a
Meso-American Mound Building Culture that pervaded some parts of Northern
America, but this was not a commercially viable band name. The Cult are a Post
Modern Rock band active since 1983. Their first album, Dreamtime was
released in 1984, and followed by Love in 1985. Love featured the single "She
Sells Sanctuary", which introduced the band to an international audience. Many
songs of these early albums focus on Native American themes, a pre-occupation
of Astbury. On their third album, Electric, The Cult made a transformation
to hard rock sound with the help of Rick Rubin.
After the release of the 1989 album Sonic Temple, and the single "Fire
Woman", Astbury relocated to Los Angeles, California.
1990s The dent in their reputation was
amplified by the loss of many Sonic Temple fans, when their next album,
Ceremony, released in 1991, delivered disappointingly in the wake of an
oncoming grunge movement. In 1994, The Cult returned with an
untitled album and a change of musical pace. Their hard rock sound was gone,
replaced instead by Astbury's growing interest in alternative music, fashion
and introspective lyrics. The self-titled album was not a commercial
success, due mostly to the lack of radio support for the album's two singles. To
support the album they set out on a tour; in Brazil, however, Astbury's
creative differences with guitarist Duffy reached their peak, and the former
walked out on The Cult. Inspired by his sudden change in
direction, Astbury soon after assembled another group of musicians and began
writing new songs. He called the group The Holy Barbarians, and in 1996 the
band released the album Cream. Although they were not a commercial success, the
Barbarians were well received by many who had regained respect for Astbury as
an artist. One notable appearance by the band was at the small Tunbridge Wells
Forum which saw them being joined onstage by Vic Reeves for a rendition of
The Cult's classic "Wildflower". Personal difficulties and a drive for
further introspection drove Astbury away from his new group, as he began working
on a solo album. In 1999, Astbury and Duffy reformed The
Cult to head one of the most financially successful tours that year. A new
contract with Atlantic Records was inked, and in 2001 came the release of
Beyond Good and Evil. Early radio success was being had by the single
"Rise", until the band had a falling out with Atlantic and they ended all
commercial promotions and radio play for the album. Astbury described the fight
with the record label as "soul destroying"; disillusioned, he brought
The Cult to another hiatus in 2002. 2000s and beyond
Astbury became lead singer of The Doors of the 21st Century in 2002. The group
featured original Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek. In 2003,
Astbury also performed with surviving members of MC5 at the 100 Club in
London, before finally reforming The Cult with Duffy again in 2006, for a
series of live dates and rumours of reissues and another greatest hits
compilation in the works. During early 2007, The Cult entered the
studio to begin production on Born into This, the group's first album in six
years. Also planned for release was a DVD of the band's 13 November. 2006
concert at Irving Plaza in New York City.
The Cult's current lineup consists of Astbury and Duffy, alongside bassist
Chris Wyse, drummer John Tempesta and touring rhythm guitarist Mike Dimkitch.
In October 2007, The Cult finally released Born into This. The first
single was "Dirty Little Rockstar," which enjoyed strong radio airplay.
In 2009, The Cult announced a series of shows across the Canada, the US, Canada
and various countries in Europe. It was billed as "'Love' Live", where the band
performed its classic album, "Love," in its entirety.
On 29 May 2010 Boris performed "The End" with Ian Astbury at Vivid Festival on
Sydney. Boris and Astbury released a four-song EP in September 2010 on
Southern Lord and Daymare Records, containing four tracks entitled Teeth
and Claws, We are Witches, Rain, Magickal Child.
He lives in Los Angeles and plays on the football team Hollywood United with
Billy Duffy and Steve Jones of The Sex Pistols and is a supporter of English
Premier League club Everton FC. On 26 May 2012, Astbury married The
Black Ryder singer/guitarist Aimee Nash in Las Vegas.
Other musical ventures Astbury is featured on the UNKLE tracks
"Burn My Shadow", "When Things Explode" and "Forever." He also sings "Flame On"
on Tony Iommi's solo album Iommi, as well as duets with Deborah Harry on her
1989 album Def, Dumb and Blonde's song "Lovelight". In 2010, he provided the
vocals for the song "Ghost" on guitarist Slash's self-titled solo album. The
track also featured former Guns N' Roses guitarist Izzy Stradlin on rhythm
guitar. Astbury is also credited for playing the drums on a track called
"Gasp" by "Japanese Cartoon." Solo discography
Spirit\Light\Speed BXI
Guest appearances Boris – BXI.
Unkle – War Stories on "Burn My Shadow". Unkle – War Stories on "When Things
Explode". Unkle – Forever.
Tony Iommi – Iommi on "Flame On". Deborah Harry – Def Dumb & Blonde on
"Lovelight". Slash – Slash on "Ghost".
Circus of Power – Magic and Madness on "Shine".
References ^ Olson, Steve. "Ian Astbury / The
Cult". Juice. Retrieved 29 May 2011. ^ Cult Biography, Camelot Music 1988
^ "The Cult | View the Music Artists Biography Online | VH1.com". Retrieved 3
April 2010. ^ C.B.Liddell. "Y'know – interviews with
the famous: Ian Astbury, musician". Yknow-interviews.blogspot.com. Retrieved
14 October 2011. ^ Ross, Mike. "Long live the Lizard
King". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved 9 August 2010.
^ Zahlaway, Jon. "The Doors of the 21st Century head up 'Strange Days' fest".
LiveDaily. Retrieved 9 August 2010. ^ "Ian Astbury and Boris The End @
Sydney Opera House 2010". YouTube. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
^ Dombal, Ryan. "Boris Team With the Cult's Ian Astbury". Pitchfork Media.
Retrieved 9 August 2010. ^ "商品詳細". Diwproducts.com. Retrieved 14
October 2011. ^ "Southern Lord Records " BXI= Boris
Collaboration With Ian Astbury!". Blog.southernlord.com. Retrieved 14
October 2011. ^ Laudadio, Marisa; Dodd, Johnny. "The
Cult's Ian Astbury Weds in Las Vegas". People. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
External links IMDB biography
The Cult official website Ian Astbury Interview 2010