Q: One of my favorite bands is the Sisters of Mercy. Unfortunately, I can get very little information about the band. Can anyone give me more information about their current status?
Thank you in advance. - Peter K., Saint George, Romania
Here's our answers to your question. For a brief answer? David Landgren takes over:
Eldritch and the vampy woman in the clips split from the rest of the band. The rest of the band were a bit annoyed at this, and so continued to keep the spirit of the band going, renaming it The Sisterhood. This pissed of Eldritch mightily, and so he promptly sued them.
And, Ali Sinclair will take you deeper into that venture known as the Sisters of Mercy.
Before I tell you what I know about the band, I feel I must warn you that by adding the Sisters to your music collection, you may well be installing a lethal weapon in your home: a repellent guaranteed to empty a room in less than the time it takes a dischord to fade from your ears: a powerful-in-the extreme emotional depth-charge, which can be used like a cattle-prod to disperse unwanted guests, or a land-mine to shatter the smooth peace of an afternoon with a loved one...
The band was formed in Leeds, England, in 1980, by Andrew Eldritch and Gary Marx. They also created the Merciful Release record label in order to issue their first record, "The Damage Done/Watch/Home of the Hitmen". If you have a copy of this disk, be sure to mention it in your last will and testament, together with Aunt Peggy's diamonds and your Rolls-Royce. It's probably worth more than both.
Andrew Eldritch (whose real name is Taylor) is the driving force behind, and vocally in front of, the band. On stage, he hides in black: sunshades and shadows, smoke and cynicism. In song, his powerful, self-deprecating lyrics bite through the dark, throbbing guitar and drums. "Get real - get another / I don't exist when you don't see me..." ("When you don't see me", Vision Thing, 1990)
It's also some of the best dance music I know!
The Sisters' line-up has changed, rearranged, fought and harmonized over the years - but Eldritch's vocal style, the lyrics and the drums remain strong anchors in a turbulent sea. Notably, there was a five-year gap between 1985 and 1990 when the band as the Sisters of Mercy did not perform live: despite this absence from the "live" scene, the band's popularity continued to grow, fed not only by powerful recordings such as "Floodland", but also fuelled by stories of Eldritch's 'unusual' lifestyle and rumours from Hamburg... "Is Eldritch Still Alive???"
Since 1990, the Sisters of Mercy have played throughout Europe and the USA; the line-up has changed, and changed yet again - and Eldritch has recorded a new version of "Temple Of Love" (original single released October 1983) - this time with the Yemenite vocalist Ofra Haza. The music and lyrics have changed, too, by growing, flowing, maturing. But still they have big teeth...and you can still feel the hunger.
Gather together several of your nearest-and-dearest. Press the PLAY button - light the blue touchpaper, stand back and enjoy the show. The results may surprise you. You may see friends turn to strangers and strangers to friends. Smiles may crack into frowns. People may yell and protest. And tears may be shed. But remember. Whatever happens, it's all worthwhile...
More information:
WorldWideWeb home page: http://www.cm.cf.ac.uk/Sisters.Of.Mercy/ This home page is excellent - includes a complete discography with samples, lyrics and tabs, a collection of interviews and reviews, the Sisters Of Mercy FAQ (frequently asked questions) - everything you ever wanted to know! The home page is maintained by Ian Grimstead.
Mailing list: dominion@ohm.york.ac.uk (send a 'subscribe' message to
dominion-request@ohm.york.ac.uk)
Major recordings: First And Last And Always (1985)
Floodland (1987)
Vision Thing (1990)
Some Girls Wander By Mistake (1992)
A Slight Case Of Overbombing (1993) (compilation)
Information service: The Reptile House Ltd., P.O. Box HP29,
Leeds LS6 1LS, West Yorkshire, England
