16,060 Days Later…

underground365

7/8/2025

16,060 Days Later…

No, it’s not another DANNY BOYLE movie, but this juxtaposition…

And then this…

If nothing else, I can tell you, this is curious factoid.

I saw the Psychedelic Furs live on July 3, 2025 for the first time in 16,060 days!

[Ed. Note- For those that care about such stuff it has been 44 (years) x 365 (days), less 11 days, plus 11 Leap Years since.]

It is, without a doubt the longest gap I have ever experienced between gigs with the same artist and, given that I will never willingly attend a gig by FLOCK OF SEAGULLS 🇬🇧 again, likely the longest gap ever.

]Ed. Note- rex uses the SEAGULLS for self- deprecating comedic effect, but is reminded that 999 is still around and that was February of 1980. Just sayin’.]

Not to get sappy, but just to be alive, healthy and still an all-consumed indie at heart after this many years is cool.

I went with that warm night in July, 1981 with Denis Morand. We were both articling students in Wïndsor and had discovered we had a mutual love jof post- punk music.

[Ed. Note- Unfortunately, Denis passed away in 2018. His brother Chris is a member of our group and rex would love it if Denis was too.]

Anyway, on to the gigs- then and now.

A lot has happened in the world and that of indie music since 1981.

While I mildly enjoyed the 90 minute set performed by the Furs, I couldn’t help but constantly compare it to their stunning Mach 1981 performance.

I can’t just pin it on the urgency and excitement of being at a gig in a sweaty room then. No, it was way more than their current polished look and radio friendly set- list that left me a touch bereft.

The original sound of their self- titled eponymous debut LP was unlike anything I had experience as a new post- punk maven.

Over time, all but vocalist RICHARD BUTLER and his brother TIM BUTLER have departed for different reasons.

However, it all changed for me when the band became overnight sensations because the song “Pretty In Pink” was used as the seed for the Brat Pack movie of the same name. (Que MOLLY RINGWALD.)

I had no issue with the song- just the movie took me to places I didn’t want to travel then- or ever. So I just kinda ghosted these guys as they became more mainstream.

This gig reminded me what I most missed was the saxophone. DUNCAN KILBORN (77-82) and MARS WILLIAMS (who passed in 2023) were the heartbeat stir in this band’s drink. The sax set the sound of this band apart. Their sound today is an okay, but polished guitar/ drums/ keyboard sound. Meh.

Here are two live versions of “India”, the only track performed from their debut at this gig to let you compare…