Artist Playlists
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Forming in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & The Bunnymen quickly defined themselves as one of the leading post-punk bands, with pulsating, guitar-driven tunes and darkly intense performances. Later moving toward lush orchestral pop, the band racked up 19 hit singles and albums by the end of the '80s. But in 1987 their success was cut short when singer Ian McCulloch left for a solo career and drummer Pete de Freitas was killed in a motorcycle accident. They reformed in 1997; original members McCulloch and Will Sergeant continue to tour and record with various other musicians. - Echo & The Bunnymen's darkly melodic, sonically ornate and portentous indie rock left an intoxicating map of possibilities. A diverse field of bands have clearly cocked an ear to their reverberant mystery (see Radiohead's “Optimistic”), grandiose passion (The Killers' “Mr Brightside”) and skittish, pummelling post-rock muscle (Pavement's “Grounded”).
- Long past the ‘80s, Echo & The Bunnymen have kept the flame burning for grand, atmospheric rock and literate lyrics. On “Candleland”, off singer Ian McCulloch's solo debut, close harmonies from Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser complement his rasp; 2013's “Pro Patria Mori” wreathes nostalgia with an angelic choir. Lending his weathered voice to 808 State's “Moses”, he brings weary emotion to techno.