CONCERT RECAP: Psychedelic Furs @ House of Blues NOLA 11/2/12

Being a product of the 80’s brings certain horrors. The clothes and haircuts to name a few and don’t even get me started on hair-metal. My love of music is heavily rooted in the 80’s. My first cassette was of The Outfields’ Play Deep and the first CD I ever played was Upstairs at Eric’s by Yazoo. My love of movies was also birthed from that very same decade. John Hughes and the Psychedelic Furs were my existence.

Here we are nearly thirty years later and the Psychedelic Furs are still at it. John Hughes may not be around anymore, but his legacy concreted the fate of the Furs and new-wave music as we know it. The Psychedelic Furs were in town to tickle our nostalgic funny bone and remind us of just how timeless their music is.

The evening started with Austin-based Indie rock band My Jerusalem. The four piece did their best to entertain the sparse crowd at hand, even breaking the fourth wall when singer, Jeff Klein jumped into the crowd and interacted with the audience (one benefit of a non-crowded floor). The band didn’t seem to care that they were playing only to a handful of people.

Next up, the Leed’s England-based band, The Chevin, think early Killers and U2, minus the attitude, caring on the European post-punk movement. The English quartet played to a half-packed house. They are touring in support of their debut album, Borderline and their single, “Champion,” which was aptly present at the end of their set, followed by an excellent show-ender, “Drive,” off the same album. The band’s chemistry on stage was infectious at times. I see big things in the future for these guys and supporting one of rocks greatest and most influential bands of all times, sure can’t hurt.

After a somewhat quick stage change, I was informed by the Furs management that I only had photo privileges for the opening acts. Needless to say, I was a bit disheartened, but couldn’t complain too much, as I was about to experience one of my favorite bands and get yet another opportunity to shake Richard Butler’s hand, the first time being at a Love Spit Love show and again at a Furs show at Tipitina’s. I did take some cell pictures and chose the “best” of them to share.
Richard and gang were a treat to say the least. You couldn’t tell he’s been doing this for well over 30 years. Not to be out done, the rest of the band followed suit in energy and passion. Mars Williams’ saxophone riffs simply reminded me of why I have a love/hate relationship with the 80’s. That sound defines that time and space, but oddly enough live it comes off fresh. To me the Furs are one of those bands who are even better live than on their recordings.

The set was a great mixture of hits and deep album cuts, spanning their entire catalogue. The set was rounded out with a new tune, “Little Miss World” and an awesome cover of Love Spit Love’s “Believe.” I asked someone prior to the show if they were going to make it and their response was, “No, it would be like their last show here.” And that’s a bad thing? To the die-hard Psychedelic Furs’ fan, I could see that, maybe. I, as a music lover and fan of the genre, didn’t find any fault at all about the set. If you sound like yourself and you are consistent, you are doing your job. In the end, the crowd got an amazing show and they in return gave all that love back to Richard and band.