Formed in 1980, The Sisters Of Mercy (the name taken from a Leonard Cohen song) have become a beacon for the subculture known as Goth. Citing an eclectic mix of acts such as Cohen, The Velvet Underground, Motorhead and The Stooges as influence, the band was formed by Gary Marx and Andrew Eldritch.
Over the course of only three studio albums, First, Last And Always, Floodland and Vision Thing, The Sisters Of Mercy created a highly distinctive sound which continued to change and morph over the course of their recordings. Eldritch has proved to be a highly divisive personality, as all three studio albums have had completely different line-ups of the band
Thirty years later, The Sisters Of Mercy are still playing gigs all around the world. Due to highly acrimonious relations and legal disputes with both fellow former band members and their record company, East West (a subsidiary of Warner Bros), Andrew Eldritch is the sole original member. He went on strike and refused to record any new material as a protest against his record company.
Eldritch is one of the more challenging interviewees this scribe has encountered. His famously jaded and cynical take on the world around him is cut through with a sense of humour so dry it could catch alight. A man of few words, he is a rare bird that gives off the vibe of truly saying what he means and meaning what he says, damn the consequences.
Case in point: the band is known for their use of drum machines, all named Doktor Avalanche by Eldritch. It lends a highly distinctive and unique quality and timbre to the sense of musical vision that Sisters put forward. The downside of this is that the overall sound and vision links the band too much to the decade of their birth, the 1980s. Broached for a comment on this obvious and Eldritch is succinct: “It’s what we do.”
Over the intervening, non-recording years, the band has not rested on its laurels. A smattering of new tracks, such as “Arms”, “New World Order”, “Will I Dream?” and the charmingly titled “I Have Slept With Every Girl In Berlin” have featured in live performances from Sisters alongside the more well-known material. Why no recordings of the new material? “There’s no one to release them,” replies Eldritch, bluntly.
One can immediately identify Eldritch and Steinman as kindred spirits, who really brought out the best in each other musically. From a fan perspective, this was a match made in heaven and it would have been great to see them work together again. How was the experience of working with Steinman? “Expensive,” replies Eldritch. You can almost see the deadpan expression and raised eyebrow on his face.
Eldritch has been described as “The Godfather Of Goth” in the same manner that Iggy Pop is seen as “The Godfather Of Punk”; Eldritch has been famous for distancing himself from the subculture that has embraced him and his music the most. What is his reasoning? “We just do what we do. Housewives come to see us – no-one calls us a ‘housewife band’. We feel that everyone – except Nazis and Bush – is invited to the party, and if some people think its someone else’s party, they might be less likely to come.”
On “Overbombing”, there was a brilliant remix/redo or “Temple Of Love” featuring late world music singer Offra Haza. Has the band considered further implementing world music elements into their sound? “No, not really”. A shame, as this really brought out something special and different with the band and their sound.
For a such a political band, how has the tumultuous state of change and structure of the world over the past few years, how has this influenced and shape what the band do? “It’s our main source of anger, and therefore our main source of inspiration. ‘Twas ever thus.'” It is heartening to see that sense of fire and being pissed off with the inequality of the world still burns within the man.
What can long time fans expect when The Sisters Of Mercy arrive on our shores for the first time? “A lot of very classic songs, many of which you’ll know, some of which you won’t. A lot of pretty lights. A LOT of smoke.” This totally sounds like a reunion for anyone who went to a Goth club in Melbourne in the nineties waiting to happen.
Any plans after the Australian tour? “After the seven million gigs on the 30th Anniversary tour? A bit of a rest, I think.”
Andrew Eldritch: still an utter enigma wrapped in a mystery after all these years. A very intriguing prospect in Australia for everyone to see. Except Nazis and Bush, of course.
– Neil Evans
The Sisters Of Mercy are in town on the Soundwave juggernaut. Their single headline Sidewave show – at The Corner Hotel, Melbourne – tonight is long sold out.
