Episode: 213 English Undead - UK Post Punk Goth Live

VHF-213 (English & Undead - UK Post-Punk & Goth Live) presents seven UK bands performing live. 

We have some early eighties legends such as Echo & The Bunnymen playing in Albert Hall in London in 1984. The group was accompanied by additional musicians on various stringed instruments to make the live versions of their songs sound more lush and engaging.

Post-Punk icons Joy Division aren’t known as a live band but they did actually perform quite a bit, it’s just that Ian Curtis committed suicide at the sadly young age of 23. The band only released one full length album during his lifetime. Thankfully we can revisit the band in 1978 playing at The Factory in Manchester. Before New Order began dominating dance floors and DJ booths Joy Division electrified audiences with a raw energy. Very High Frequencies selected a few highlights for your listening pleasure.

Bauhaus in NYC in 1999 was a celebration of the music and the legacy of the band. Few groups can sound like they are exploring magical realms like Bauhaus. From Hollow Hills to She’s In Parties the dub heavy tribal percussion creates an atmospheric vibe that lays the foundation for Danny’s wailing guitar and Peter’s mournful lament. Theatrical and romantic as well as morbid and emotional. Powerful incantations manifest themselves. 

The Sisters Of Mercy often covered their heroes, both well known and obscure. This episode we check out a couple of their finest tributes to The Stones and Bob Dylan along with a deep cut from the early days.

Siouxsie and the Banshees also cover a sixties song, All Tomorrow’s Parties by the Velvet Underground. And we have a couple of their own songs live that demonstrate how much of a range the band had.

Skulls, spider webs and fog! It’s Bat Cave creepshow Alien Sex Fiend, possibly the most punk and the most Goth band of this week’s episode. Totally bonkers in the fine tradition of English Madmen Nic Fiend and his lovely wife Mrs. Fiend and the crew are absolutely oozing with a throbbing propulsion. It ain’t always pretty luv but it’s frightfully real!

The Cure really need no introduction other than to point out how heavy, bleak and goth they were way back in 1981. It’s a funeral party and everyone is gonna dance. Well, almost everyone.

VHF-213 (English & Undead - UK Post-Punk & Goth Live) proves that these musical pioneers were able to blow away audiences with their live performances. Cheers!