02.22.08 5:00 AM CST
• Music
• Robert DeSalvo
It’s been over 30 years since Siouxsie Sioux first took the stage with her Banshees at London’s 100 Club and became punk’s First Lady with a howling rendition of “The Lord’s Prayer.” She was part of the Bromley Contingent—a group of ardent Sex Pistols supporters—and that moment onstage at the 100 Club stretched out to the present day with 11 full studio albums from Siouxsie and the Banshees, four as The Creatures, plus numerous EPs and singles. She’ll snap at you if you mention the “g” word, but you can thank or blame her for basically launching the Gothic music movement and a look that’s been copied the world over: fetishistic black clothes, ivory skin, a shock of ebony hair and blood-red lips. Her darkly poetic lyrics, sensually deep voice and dramatic theatrics have influenced everyone from Garbage and the Cure to the Scissor Sisters and U2. The latter’s The Edge even presented her with a Mojo Icon Award in 2005 for being just that—a Madonna for the rest of us.
Now, for the first time in her long and varied career, the Ice Queen (as she sometimes calls herself) is out on tour to support her first solo album, Mantaray, without any of her Banshees along for the ride, including ex-husband and drummer Budgie. This editor caught her last Saturday at a sold-out performance at L.A.’s Henry Fonda Music Box Theater in Hollywood and was blown away by her ferocity. At 50 and wearing a skintight shimmering costume, she looks leaner and meaner now than she did in her ‘80s heyday. And that voice…she may have jettisoned the rest of the Banshees, but she can still howl like one for classics like “Dear Prudence,” “Nightshift” and “Spellbound” as well as her best new solo tracks, including “Into a Swan,” “Here Comes That Day” and “About to Happen.” Her second encore included a playful, rockin’ rendition of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots are Made for Walking,” proving that this is one ice queen who still knows how to have some wicked fun. It’s a rare privilege to see an icon onstage like Siouxsie who maintains a modern edge while reminding us all of the strength it takes to thrive as artist for so long in this fickle music business (I have a bridge to sell anyone who thinks a faux-punk princess like Avril Lavigne will have a career that lasts half as long). She’s a one-woman force of nature, and one yioux shouldn’t miss in concert if you get the opportunity for an audience with rock’s enduring dark goddess.
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Comments on this entry:
I am amazed... spellbound, even, not only from Siouxsie's magical solo project, "Mantaray", but also by the fact that within Playboy's repertoire exists a writer like DeSalvo. It is very refreshing to read his words and know there are those of us still out there with taste. Incredible album, awesome review.
She does one of favourite versions of "Dear Prudence" and definitely a true punk high priestess alongside Patti Smith and Debbie Harry. Kiss them for me!