Liverpool band Echo and the Bunnymen have ridden the choppy waters of the music industry and survived four decades in the business. Since forming in 1978, they have experienced highs and lows in their personal lives as well as in music. Despite the struggles of life, two of the original four members are touring this year to celebrate forty years of being Bunnymen.
Echo and the Bunnymen are Ian McCulloch, vocals and Will Sergeant on guitar, supported by a drummer and further bass guitarists. The original lineup of four included Les Pattinson on Bass and Pete De Freitas on Drums. Sadly, De Freitas died in 1986, which had an adverse effect on the lads, as you would expect. Ian then left the band for a brief spell in 1987, writing and performing solo. Fortunately for devoted Bunnymen fans, Ian rejoined his mate Will, and since then, they have produced new songs, continued to tour
I fell in love with Echo and the Bunnymen's music in 1981, and they are still on my regular playlist when Hiking, Driving and Riding. I am often seen air drumming or guitaring to their music as I crunch the miles down. Sadly, I have not seen them in concert for far too many years, so when I saw the 40th Anniversary Tour announced, I jumped into action to book my nearest venue, the O2 Academy in Bournemouth. The tour is called 40 years of Magical Songs and runs until the end of April.
I booked a ticket for my twenty-year-old Nephew as surprisingly for a youth of these times; he loves music from the 1960s, especially the Beatles. Echo and the Bunnymen formed in a post Punk era, and they competed with New Romantics such as Duran Duran and Synthesiser music from the Human League, Depeche Mode and many more. The band were a four-piece guitar group when they began akin to the Beatles. Although Echo and the Bunnymen have not achieved the same recognition as John, Paul, George and Ringo, Ian's lyrics are every bit as powerful and meaningful. The melodies supporting the words are superbly played with passion by Will, imprinting themselves in your head, so your mind tingles when the first string is strung.
When the band walked on stage, and the oh so familiar guitar sound started, I was taken back to the Brighton Centre, where I first saw the band. The O2 Academy is an intimate venue, and the band could be seen from anywhere on the floor; even though I stood by the sound desk, I felt I was close to them. The songs I listened to on my Walkman repeatedly as a Teenager flowed one after another, and I was dancing away. I looked over, and my Nephew was too, before he said, "I am going to the front; this is superb." I was delighted he shared my passion for the lads from Liverpool. An hour sped by as about twenty songs were performed as if it were 1982 and the beginning of Echo and the Bunnymen's journey. My only disappointment was that the experience could not have lasted longer, but it has in my memories.
Echo and the Bunnymen's music has transcended the decades much like the other famous Liverpool band, the Beatles. The band has a strong following from when they formed and now from people like my Nephew who have heard them and become fans.
Echo and the Bunnymen have re-released their album Songs To Learn & Sing, a compilation of their best songs. This is on Vinyl taking advantage of the trend of music enthusiasts returning to playing albums on record players.
The tour also promotes a book by Will called The Bunneyman, telling the story of Will growing up in Liverpool, discovering music and connecting with Ian to form Echo and the Bunnymen. A great read, and I hope Ian publishes a book too.
I recommend any music lover to get along to one of the tour's remaining dates; you will not be disappointed.