The Clean in NYC, 1989

"I've had this roll of 8mm film rolling around our house for a long time that was labeled "Germany". Pat O'Neil, who has been archiving all things CLEAN towards making The Clean Film, got it scanned. I was gleefully surprised to find it's NYC 1989 and the first Clean trip to the USA. The Vehicle LP was recorded in London at the end of this tour.

Starring amongst the footage is musician Chris Knox, photographer Monica Dee, record man Gerard Cosloy, film maker Phil Morrison, rock n roll band Das Damen and various rock n roll clubs of ye olde NYC. The Cult were shooting a video next door to CBGBs...you can see the trucks lined up. That must've been the night we played with Happy Flowers. I can remember on getting into a car outside the club later that night and a junkie grabbed me and begged me- "shoot me, shoot me"....Chris made Ian Astbury's security very nervous later that night after a barrage of sarcastic hero worship/abuse."   – David Kilgour

 

Boris and Ian Astbury together at last

Even though Ian Astbury has reportedly acceded to overwhelming public demand and sworn off making any more Cult albums after 2007's disappointing Born Into This, that doesn't mean our boy Wolf Child will howl no more in a recording studio. Heavens no.

My fellow Glendale Secondary School alum, who turned 48 in May, has since added his  trademark growl to the song Ghost on Slash's self-titled debut and more recently he flew to Japan in April to collaborate with psycho-delic Tokyo drone delinquents Boris on their forthcoming BXI (Southern Lord) EP due for official release in September. In addition to a cover of The Cult's classic Rain – sung by wispy-voiced Boris guitarist Wata to haunting effect – Astbury demonstrates his demon-summoning bellow is still in fine form on Teeth and Claws and the creepy ballad Magickal Child while the amped-up We Are Witches shows he can still "bring the banshee"when called upon. Oh yes, he's still got it.

Wisely enough, they decided against adding their cover of The Doors' The End – one of Gord Downie's fave show closers from the early days of the Tragically Hip – which they performed live in Australia at the Sydney Opera House on May 29 which you can check out below.
There's no word yet whether Astbury – who enjoys hanging out in Toronto – will drop by Lee's Palace tomorrow (Monday, August 9) for Boris' show with Russian Circles but apparently axe assassin Michio Kurihara (of Ghost and White Heaven infamy) is confirmed as the second guitarist for Boris which should make for an extra heavy wattage wallop. Earplugs recommended.    

The End by Ian Astbury & Boris @ Sydney Opera House May 29, 2010