Death Cult - Ghost Dance

Death Cult formed in April 1983 when Ian Astbury (formerly of Southern Death Cult) and Billy Duffy (formerly of Theatre of Hate) joined forces after meeting each other when Southern Death Cult supported Theatre of Hate on a number of dates during the latter's tour. By June 1983, the group had written 10 songs, four of which would be recorded for their debut EP. The first track, "Brothers Grimm", was originally written by Duffy and UK Decay vocalist Steve "Abbo" Abbott after both musicians had left their respective bands (and prior to Duffy joining Astbury to form Death Cult). Two of the songs delved into Astbury's respect and fascination with the Native American cultures previously explored during his tenure with Southern Death Cult. "Ghost Dance" was inspired by the Ghost Dance religious movement as well as the writings and teachings of spiritual leader Wovoka, whose name is mentioned in the lyrics ("Wovoka had a vision"...), while the lyrics to "Horse Nation" were taken nearly verbatim from the book Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.

Astbury and Duffy's interest in the Vietnam War was also in evidence, both in the photograph that appeared on the picture sleeve, as well as the lyrical content of the final track, "Christians", which directly referenced the war and featured lyrics referring to the Chiêu Hồi program and the tiger stripe camouflage pattern worn by United States infantrymen. At the time, certain groups within the British post punk subculture developed a trendy fascination with the Vietnam War that spilled over into dress and music. 

The original Death Cult EP was released only in 12" format, solely in the United Kingdom, France and Japan. The photograph that appeared on the front sleeve was taken by renowned Vietnam War photographer Tim Page. The group's logo and the lettering on the EP picture sleeve were done by bassist Jaime Stewart. In 1988, the group's label, Beggars Banquet (via its subsidiary label Situation Two), issued a compact disc edition, marked "SPECIAL LOW PRICE CD FEATURING THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS", in the UK only. This CD collected the original Death Cult EP along with the single "Gods Zoo". The material was allegedly remastered, but no evidence exists to support this.

In 1996, Beggars Banquet remastered and reissued the 1988 eponymous Death Cult CD. This new collection was released in the UK and US simultaneously (marking the first time Death Cult material was available in the US). The CD collection featured new artwork and was given the title Ghost Dance.

In addition to the material from the 1988 Death Cult CD, the 1996 release appended a four-track David Jensen BBC Radio 1 session engineered by Dale Griffin. One of these BBC session tracks, "A Flower in the Desert", was a rewritten version of "Flowers in the Forest", originally written and recorded by Astbury's earlier group Southern Death Cult. This track had previously been released as the B-side to the 1984 "Spiritwalker" single by The Cult. "Too Young" was later rewritten as "Rider in the Snow", appearing as such on The Cult debut album, Dreamtime. "With Love" was originally titled "The Waste of Love", and only changed to "With Love" when it was recorded during the BBC radio session. The song was later rewritten and recorded during the "Go West (Crazy Spinning Circles)" recording sessions on 22 June 1984, under the working title of "Ship of Fools". The track was then re-titled "Sea and Sky" and released as the B-side of The Cult single "Go West (Crazy Spinning Circles)".

Death Cult - Death Cult

The long awaited and overdue return of Death Cult.
The crucial band put together by Billy Duffy and Ian Astbury between Southern Death Cult and The Cult (as documented in detail in John Robb’s ‘the Art Of Darkness – the History Of Goth) have announced a 12 date UK tour with many venues where they made their live debut as a band. And there is more! Not just songs from Death Cult but songs from Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and The Cult’s first two albums: Dreamtime (1984) and Love (1985). Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy also announce one US date at The Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles on October 23.
Tickets for all dates are on-sale today, Friday, Aug. 18 at 10 am local time.
Southern Death Cult formed in 1981, releasing their sole, self-titled album posthumously in 1983. That same year, Death Cult formed, with Astbury joining forces with Duffy for a musical partnership that has endured for 40-plus years. The band released two 12-inches that same year, the Death Cult EP and Gods Zoo, which were subsequently combined and released as a CD. Death Cult is a vital transmission from the generation of Shamanic post-punk gothic futurists. Death Cult became The Cult in 1984. Releasing Dreamtime that same year and going on to experience a career that has seen the release of 11 full-length albums, as well as numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications.

Live Dreamtime

On Sunday 20th May 1984 The Cult played a show at the Lyceum Theatre in London, UK. The show was recorded and filmed and later released in the UK as a free album with initial 30,000 copies of the Dreamtime LP and also as side 2 of the Dreamtime cassette. In November 1996 ‘Dreamtime Live at the Lyceum’ was remastered, and the full show released on video and CD.

Sometimes there isn’t much left to be said about a live performance that was captured on video in 1984. They’re either dreadful or awesome and everyone has an opinion. Today I’m going to let you sit back in your easy chair, open a beer, relax and just enjoy one of the most outstanding live videos of a band in their prime.