Here Today... Gone To Hell!

RollingStone is reporting that the Psychedelic Furs are at work on a new album.  They don't mention any of the additional muscicians who will be working on the album but in 2001 Richard was a writing/recording/touring member of the Furs.

Here's the article:

Psychedelic Furs at Work
Eighties pop band readies first new album in more than a decade

After more than a decade away from the studio, Eighties pop act the Psychedelic Furs are at work on a new album.
"We didn't want to go out and tour on old music because we haven't been writing," frontman Richard Butler explains. "We want to be a band that's a band, not one that's just touring."

The group -- which also includes Butler's brother Tim on bass and guitarist John Ashton -- has been writing material for the past several months. They might have gotten started sooner, if not for Butler's commitment to his side project, Love Spit Love, and an in-progress solo record, a collaboration with longtime friend Jon Carin (Pink Floyd, the Who, Bryan Ferry). The band members, who share songwriting responsibilities, have been communicating ideas via tapes while Butler wraps up his project. "We use whatever seems to fit," Butler says. "It's a question of whether it fires anything in me and makes me want to sing."

The Furs are road-testing a few songs on their current tour -- which wraps on January 29th in Anaheim, California -- including "Cigarette," "Wrong Train" and "Alive." Playing new material live, Butler confesses, can be nerve-wracking, eliciting "not as good a response as something better-known." "It's a lot of fun playing when the crowd is enthusiastic," he says. "But it can be a bit daunting when the crowd is standing there with a huge question mark over their heads."

The Furs' album will be recorded and self-produced at Ashton's home in New York State. But don't expect it to hit stores until late 2005 or early 2006 --especially considering that the band has not yet signed a deal for its release, planning to remain as independent as possible. "We don't need the advance," says the veteran pop singer. "We paid for this ourselves."

CHRISTINA FUOCO
(Posted Dec 21, 2004)

Here's a RollingStone article from 2001 that mentions Richard:

Psychedelic Furs Back Again
Headlining tour, new album due from Psychedelic Furs
 
"The door certainly isn't closed. But if we were to do it, it would have to be for the fun of working together, because that's why we started," wrote Psychedelic Furs bassist Tim Butler in the liner notes of the band's 1997 retrospective, Should God Forget: A Retrospective. Following last year's brief return to live performance, the Furs are back together again for a lengthy headlining tour.
Original members Richard and Tim Butler and John Ashton, along with Richard Butler's writing partner Richard Fortus on guitar and Earl Harvin on drums, will again showcase the Psychedelic Furs' old material like "Love My Way," "The Ghost in You," and "Pretty in Pink." But this time around the Furs also plan to preview some new tunes that they plan to record immediately following the tour, which runs from March 23rd to May 10th.

JAAN UHELSZKI
(March 8, 2001)

I remember an article last year where Richard talked about living in New York because he worked with the Furs part-time as well as GNR.

Richards not with The Furs anymore.

I don't think so.

The new article didn't mention him.

I'd highly doubt he would play with them over GnR, and if he did choose to tour with the furs, then more power to him. That being said, Richard Fortus' side work should have nothing
to do with the continual delay of Chinese Democracy. Anyone in the band can book shows through the entire year of 2005, but if Axl decides to release it, everyone will come runnin back.

He's no longer with The Furs.

he's not with them, wasn't mentioned, so unless he's quitting Gn'R it's unlikely, it's like Gn'R touring next year and saying Slash may be busy and not be able to tour with Velvet Revolver........well maybe not that xtreme

Looks like they mentioned him to me.

My guess is that, like tommy and dizzy, he'll be allowed to tour and work in the studio with them if he has nothing better to do.

Give him something to do axl. (Please note, cleaning your house on tuesdays and thrusdays is not good enough)

yeah but that was back in 2001..

Ahh nuts my mistake....im so tired......anyway like it says 2001......imagine what plans we thought GN'R had back then and what happened...things change

Fortus wasn`t an original member of the furs anyway.  If he was involved with this recent reunion of the band he would have been mentioned.

You havent read the thread, have you?

i think i speak for many gnr fans when i say that i hope richard is busy next year... touring with gnr after the release of CD. 

as for the furs... the new article doesnt mention him and richard didnt join gnr till 2002 so the 2001 article... eh... i dont know... i thought he had quit the furs from what i had read here on the board. 

But I will say that i hope he doesnt leave to tour with the furs or what not cause that would be a bad sign; ether cd being delayed again (if the febuary rumours are true) or god knows what

You havent read the thread, have you?

is the band slowly falling appart?  ???
am I alone to have this impression?  :-\

You are alone in turning every thread under the sun into some negative fantasy, that's for sure.

Yeah man, constructive critisism, opinions etc. are fine, but stop whining all the time!

well I'm realistic that's different. I don't think I'm expecially negative, I just say what I think could be the real deal.

Yes I have. Who the hell are you, a moderator in you own mind?

I contributed to the discussion. Your post just shows you have nothing intelligent to add.

Yeah, the same thing in every thread. Do you know how boring it has become?

From the article:

"Original members Richard and Tim Butler and John Ashton, along with Richard Butler's writing partner Richard Fortus on guitar and Earl Harvin on drums, will again showcase the Psychedelic Furs' old material like "Love My Way," "The Ghost in You," and "Pretty in Pink."

This was already addressed before your post, which is why I asked if you read the thread.

Although this has been stated more than once in this thread, I thought I'd post it if for nothing more than to at least shut a certain nay-sayer up.


"Where is Richard Fortus?

The last show he played with the Furs was in 2001. Since then, he's been playing with Enrique Iglesias and Guns n' Roses. No word on whether he will re-join the Furs at any point. He is greatly missed by his fans, though, and we'd love to see him back."


This info comes from a semi-official Psychedelic Furs website (http://www.burneddowndays.com/), which is blessed/sponsored by the band.

So relax, Richard's solidly in GnR.

well it looks like there is no CD anytime in the near future  :hihi:

it's done, work finsihed 4 now

My apologies as well

 how do you give a forever dormant band constructive critisism.? There's nothing to talk about..? :confused: there's nothing but side projects, and I could give a fuck about those..

Can you keep talking about a few boots and a studio release that was forgotten within a few months (1999)?
Fortus could be playing the obo in a circus and I wouldn't care, I just want gnr music..Anything else to me is useless..

Why are you talking, then? to whine?
It seems some people find their Negative fantasies of use.
I have no use for them.

Then you are not a fan of gnr. You only care about what Axl does. Other peopel around here actually dig the band and their solo stufff. They like the band and it would be like checking out duff or slash's solo stuff.

So far axl is the only one that I really like, not to mention buckethead but he's gone.. SO far the band just changes the lineup no mater how slim and people forget them so obviously most people only care about what axl does./.

Maybe I could enjoy them more if I had something of new gnr, then when they took a break I would want to get into their other stuff./. I was able to get into slash's stuff because he did the most amazing guitar work in gnr and I was a fan from 87-94 when they made music then got into snakepit, but that was only after years of amazing touring and chart topping albums..

Comparing the old to the new is like oranges n apples, one has nothing the other's work is second to none and have sold about 80 million albums (best debut album ever, had five albums in the top 5, two albums debuted 1 n 2)..

Maybe you are able to like someone so quick, but for me it's a little harder plus I only want gnr music so being we haven't had any I rather wait for some before I get into people I have no outside interest with..

Please show me wqhere I compare old vs new....this isnt about that

all i said was that there are people who are actually fans of the members in this band not just because they are in gnr. They actually enjoy thier previous or current work.

whatever others like is fine, but when I see new tours starting for other new gnr members I get pissed because I am only interested in something gnr related with axl singing, everything else is secondary to me involving this current lineup..

To each his own

Sorry, but a GN'R fan doesn't have to be interested in the members solo career. That's it. If I wanted to be cynical I'd say that I'd go and buy some N'Sync in the music store. Sorry, for me the 'new' members work is very weak, except of BH, he has some interesting stuff unlike the others.

But how many people outside the GN'R fan base went out and bought Duff's "Believe In Me" or the Slash's Snakepit albums? Most fans are interested. It's a shame that people feel the way you do especially since some of the solo albums are actually good. Tommy's album is the latest example.



/jarmo

can you post a song in the dl section-or is that illegal?

I seen some live-stuff and radio performances and i didn't like it that much :-\

Obviously I can't post album tracks on the site, but you can listen to clips @ Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002D2ODG/qid=1104250142/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-6415522-4315954?v=glance&s=music&n=507846).

Obviously people who listen to heavy metal might not like it.  ;D




/jarmo

I'm a huge fan of the real GN'R (old line-up) but I also really like a new guy like Richard Fortus. Don't oppose the old and the new bandmembers, it's different. Compare them if you want, but don't oppose them. It's not a war. For exemple, Duff is a great bass player on his own, same for Tommy.
However I do think the "old" Axl was better than the new one. But the guy has aged over the years so it's normal. I just hope he has not lost his talent and that we will see another "November Rain" or "Estranged".
However, I have big doubts about Robin Finck to make honour to Slash. I think he is not good enought, he is supposed to be the lead guitarist but the rythmic one (Richard) blows him away. I'd like to see the contrary: Fortus on lead, Finck on rythm. Buckethead...well hoppefully he is gone but he could be intresting for studio work. I see the man as a fantastic studio session player, but as a terrible stage player.
Brain is ok on drums (I talk about the musician he is)
Dizzy hasn't changed, he is Dizzy "fucking" Reed. He is good.
I doubt the "new" GN'R will sell 80 or 85 million records like the real band back in the days, but I do think they have potencial.

It's a bit different, cause 5 guys made GN'R, it's obvious that fans are interested in their solo work, although they don't have to be. The current line-up hasn't proved anything, they haven't released an album. (Only 3 or 4 today members played on OMG...) If the album comes out and it's great, I'll follow those guys whose contribution I'll find significant.

And yes, I have Tommy's album and IMO it's? below mediocre. Sorry, I don't like it and I'm glad that Axl didn't want to do these songs.

what if they like gnr too?  8) thanks 4 that link : ok:

That's because the gnr with slash and duff was the one we grew up with and loved, we got the best music forever from them, without them there is no second addition of gnr.. New guys did a few boots and some live shows, besides that who really klnows these guys, and why would I wna tto search into their outside life in music when I haven't gotten anything from the new gnr??

The reason fans explore outside of a group they love is because they loved their older music, so far I have nothing like that with the new guys..

It's like I checked out mad season n temple of the dog because of interest with alice n chains, pearl jam and soundgarden..

I personally only want a new gnr record and then if I like it and get to know the current band members then I migfht be more inclined to follow their other work when they aren't playing with gnr..

I am the type that saw a few shows and now want to see something else, some people probably have every sound board and every boot and watch them like crazy, but that's not for me, I want new material and want to see the band again..

The final thing is I chose to love guns n roses then band grew on the world so far I was more forced to like band members because axl owns the gnr name... Things take time regarding having interests in band members so they need to do more for me to enjoy them...

I like alot of bands for their music but have no interest in the musicians themselves.

I just want to add another testimonial, here.  Tommy's album is brilliant stuff....and I would never, ever have bought it had he not been affiliated with GnR.

Don't miss out on VGH.  It's well worth a listen!

thats all fine and dandy but its over  :'(

No1 said you had to but dont call yourself a fan of this band then...

What better way to know the band members than by listening to there solo stuff? We alll want CD. But in the measntime you have albums and other stuff to keep you occupied. Tommys album is great. From start to finish. It has a littl ebit of everything. You should really check it ut. It might give you an idea of why they are in GNr now...

mike and young gunner has always these loooong chats with eachother  :P
hm... seen it?

and richard not gonna do that huh?

young gunner is trying to open Mike?s eyes.

Oops! Sorry.  :-[
But I don't think a GN'R fan have to be interested in all the ex-members? careers of post GNR.

My eyes are wide open, if you would pay attention to me you would understand why I said what I did.. I had mentioned the lineup has changed two times at least since they started performing as a new band live and no one even gets bent about it.. SHows how much interest is in the band alone compared to just axl..

Second the reason I also mentioned not wanting to get into the side projects is because the band is always subject to change before anything happens, so these guys are nothign to me until they create an album on to the fans and the rest of the world.. Right now I ONLY care about the new and only album from a band that's been around since the late 90's..


Thanks but I'll get to know the band better when they play for the group I want listen to.. I shouldn't have to do things half ass backwards to get to know a band that's supposed to be guns n roses throught their solo work,.,

 I explained once I gett o hear the band I might want to check out their solo stuff, but until then I have no real interest involving gnr members unless axl roses is singing on the album..

FInally I agree with ppbebe about ex members..

I don't really agree with that. When Buckethead left, a lot of people here were pissed or disappointed. Some were really into the guy and his style.


I don't get it. You mean that if you buy one of their side projects, you might happen to like it. But if they leave or are fired, then you won't like the record anymore? To me a good album remains a good album, whatever happens. No offense, I'm just trying to understand your line of reasoning ;)

It really hasnt. Tobias wasnt going to be a member of GNR. So the 2002 tour was the band. Next time we see it hopefully Bucket somehow is still around otherwise 1 part will have changed.

I got bent out of shape when I heard Bucket left. SO did many people hear. Buckethead is great and would be a great fixture in the band and the future.

Well Im assuming you want to listen to gnr, therefor they are members that play in gnr.
Thats fine. We all wanna hear Axl. But there are people here who are actually fans of the whole band and the members as well.

I meant right now I have no interest in buying their albums simply because it's somethign to hold me over, or because they are new gnr members,, Usually when I go for a side project it's when I like a band already and get to know the players better.. After liking a band for a while and seeing what they are about they sometimes do something on their own during downtime and if I like the band they were in before the project I will look into their other work.

Also part of me just doesn't want to listen to anything involving these new guys until they put something on the table to listen to involving the band I want to hear most...
If I went out and bought an album everytime someone said one was good I would buy one every week..

I saw it was ranked number 40 in a front page article, that's pretty bad for a good/great album..

I'm sticking to what I said, if n when the band plays with gnr and they make music I enjoy I will step outsiude fo guns nad check out their other stuff.. Right now these guys are no one to me, I can't get excited because hookers n blow are playing ro something like that. Right now anything involvng new gnr ?I don't want to bother with the delays piss me off and anything outside of the band annoys me more then anything..
 To think the album is done for so long and these guys string the fans along nad then nothing happens really turns me off to their music ,sometimes it's like they use the gnr name tro promote their solo work..
ANyways I did get into buckethead because I saw the potential and how awesome he played live ..
==
As for the other part with members leaving and people not getting pissed, true a few weren't happy because they liked BH, but I saw more that guy was a freak and he delyed the albums so fuck him.. People turned on him pretty fast and he seemed to be the second favorite of the new lineup..

Ive seen a #1 ranked rock album of the year on magazines, etc, heard it and didnt think it was so nicey.
Plus VGH isnt on any radio playlists or any major promotion. Its just an album to enjoy for those who actually come across it and listen

an example of this would be?

Every solo album or side project by a former band member!  : ok:

Even VR is labeled as "the band featuring three former GN'R members"! Sometimes Matt is mentioned as an original GN'R member.  :hihi:


You don't want to hear good music because the guy happens to be in a band you like. And the line up of the band, featuring the guy who released the album, hasn't released anything? Ok.....  :nervous:




/jarmo

that sucks

Jarmo my man..dont you realize that VR dont do it themselves, its the media and the people who introduce them at festivals....

to me axl rose is gnr
slash is gnr
duff is gnr
etc etc, they can use it till the day they die, it's like page or plant using zepplin..

the names fortus, finc, stinson don't ring the same bell the others have or deseve the same use of the name for me.. Yes I know they are now apart of gnr but until they put  chapter into the group then they are just part of axl's project.. Some longevity has to be shown, anyone can be a member of a band that never plays...

I have interst in new gnr because axl sings, he could have hired 10 different players for 3 different albums and it wouldn't matter to me,,, WHatever one stays and plays will be what I consider to be the band.. To me albums is what counts, whihout music there is nothing..

WHoever is there when cd is done will be the band for me and the one I will follow.. Everyone is subject to change..

Why would they? And who said they should be on the same level as the old members right now?

Most of the members in the band have been in GNR for 6 yrs now...not too bad for a band thats "always changing"

And thats why you and many others around here look at things differently than the people who are fans of the band