The Cult

The Cult were a British gothic rock, alternative rock, and hard rock band.

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Death Cult (1983)

Originally formed in 1983 as Death Cult, taking its name from vocalist Ian Astbury's former band Southern Death Cult, Death Cult existed on the verges of the Gothic scene in London. The band changed its name in 1984 before a Channel 4 television show "The Tube" with the sole purpose of "cracking" the international market.

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The band members stayed the same from Death Cult: Ian Astbury (vocals), Billy Duffy (guitar), Jamie Stewart (bass) and Nigel Preston (drums).

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Dreamtime (1984)

In May 1984 they released a single "Spiritwalker" which acted as a taster for their forthcoming album "Dreamtime". Following a Christmas support slot with Big Country, The Cult toured Europe with support from the Sisterhood (soon to become "The Mission").

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Love (1985-1986)

The Cult then entered Jacob Studios in London to cut the "Love" album. Prior to recording, the band fired drummer Nigel Preston, who had become increasingly unreliable. Big Country's drummer Mark Brzezicki filled the drumming throne on the album. Nigel Preston's talents were still heard on the first single from the album "She Sells Sanctuary", a hit in May 1985. At this time Ian Astbury was being heavily influenced by the likes of Hendrix, Janis Joplin and the Doors and started dressing in flamboyant psychedelic outfits. Over the next six months, the band toured the world again, this time with drummer Les Warner (who had played with Julian Lennon and Johnny Thunders).

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Electric (1986-1988)

Once back in England, the band booked into the Manor with producer Steve Brown (who had produced the "Love" album). With the album finished, the band decided they needed a new approach. They headed off to New York City to meet with producer Rick Rubin in hope of him saving the album. Rubin suggested they re-record the entire album. This entirely new version appeared as "Electric" with the previous version "Peace" only surfacing on the Cult boxset. A couple of tracks from the "Peace" album appeared on singles in order that the record company "Beggar's Banquet" could recoup some of the costs of recording an album twice. The Cult then headed on a world tour in support of the increasingly popular album with the help of Kid Chaos on bass with Jamie Stewart moving to guitar.

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In America, they were supported by a then young and unknown Guns 'n Roses. At the end of the tour the band looked as if it was falling apart, to save the situation Astbury and Duffy fired Kid Chaos and Les Warner. Les Warner sued the band for his firing with a court battle resulting. The Cult moved to the United States and signed a new management deal.

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Sonic Temple (1988-1990)

For the next album, "Sonic Temple", the band recruited session-drummer Mickey Curry (Brian Adams) to fill the drumming role and Aerosmith sound engineer Bob Rock to produce. Recorded in Canada in late 1988, the album gained multiplatinum status. The band went on tour in support of the new album and new single "Fire Woman" with drummer Matt Sorum. In Europe they toured with Aerosmith. After the tour the band was on the verge of splitting with Jamie Stewart leaving (to move to Canada) and Matt Sorum (who joined Guns N' Roses).

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In 1990, Ian Astbury organised the Gathering of the Tribes festival in Los Angeles and San Francisco with artists such as Iggy Pop, Public Enemy and Queen Latifah appearing.

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Ceremony (1990-1993)

By the next summer, Astbury and Duffy were writing again for the upcoming "Ceremony" album. Micky Curry again played drums, with Charley Drayton on bass. The Cult were sued again, this time by the mother of the Native American boy pictured on the cover, for alleged exploitation.

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A world tour followed with backing from Kinley Wolfe and Michael Lee, with the Gathering of the Tribes moving to the UK. Here artists such as Pearl Jam performed. The warm-up gig to the show, in a small nightclub, was in dedication to Nigel Preston who had died a few weeks earlier with the excesses of rock 'n roll having taken over.

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The Cult (1993-1995) and post-break up (1995-1999)

Following the release of the single "The Witch", produced by Rick Rubin, and in support of a Greatest Hits release "Pure Cult", Astbury and Duffy fired the "backing band" and recruited Craig Adams (The Mission) and Scott Garrett for performances across Europe. This time The Cult were supporting Guns 'n Roses. With the same line-up, the band released "The Cult", an album produced by Bob Rock. The single "Coming Down" was released with the band going on tour in support of the new album. During the tour Astbury quit to form "The Holy Barbarians" to mixed reviews.

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Aftermath (1999-2002) and post-break up (2002-present)

1999 saw Astbury and Duffy regroup with Matt Sorum. The band signed to Atlantic Records and recorded a new album (Beyond Good and Evil) with Bob Rock in the producer's chair again. The current status of the band has been "on hold" since 2002, when singer Ian Astbury sought out a new opportunity to sing with The Doors, and drummer Matt Sorum joined Velvet Revolver.

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The group recently announced that there will be no reforming unless any one of Astbury and Duffy's side project groups disband, even Velvet Revolver by Sorum.

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British: The word British has several different uses. See the article on Britain for more details on the development and use of the word Britain....

Gothic rock: :This article is about notable bands within the goth scene. For the goth scene in general, see Goth....

Alternative rock: The terms alternative rock and alternative music were coined in the early 1980s to describe punk rock-inspired music genres which didn't fit into the mainstream genres of the time. At times it was used as catch-all phrase for rock music from underground artists in the 1980s and rock music in genera...

The Cult related Images and Photos (experimental)

The Cult - Love Album	The Cult - Love Album	"Cult Classics, Hannibal 7"" Figure"	Cult Camp Classics Vol. 1 - Sci Fi Thrillers (DVD)
Cult Movie Art 2012 Wall Calendar	4 Film Favorites: Cult Thrillers (4FF) (DVD)	Cult Camp Classics Vol. 4 - Historical Epics (DVD)	Cult Camp Classics Vol. 3 - Terrorized Travelers (DVD)
Cult Attack 2012 Wall Calendar	Cult Camp Classics Vol. 2 - Women in Peril (DVD)	Cult of Beauty 2012 Wall Calendar	Cult Attack 2012 Small Engagement Calendar