The seminal UK Post-Punk band, the Furs brought together the snideness of the punk era and the creativity of the psychedelic era.

Their first, eponymous, disc, was a breakthrough of multiple guitars, explosive saxophone, intelligent drums, and ingenius lyrics that shocked many music lovers. It raised the bar for the combination of dischord, speed, caustic lyrics, double meanings, pop culture references and attitude.

"Talk, Talk, Talk", the second disc to be created by the Furs, is rightly considered a masterpiece. The opening track on the UK version (which has now become the US reissue) is called "Dumbwaiters", and was once described by a reviewer as "defying description by the English language".

Hear an interview with bassist Tim Butler and guitarist John Ashton by going here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfWc__dp-Gk

See the studio video for "Dumbwaiters" here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F1b8b1txpw&mode=related&search=

See a live version of "Dumbwaiters", from German TV, here (note the reference to "Mrs London" [the Queen] and "her son" [Prince Charles]):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhRi-bUcuv4&mode=related&search=

To see the studio version of "Sister Europe", an example of the mysterious, implacable, oblique songs the Furs construct so well, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLCNIZTzg9w&mode=related&search=

For a live version of "Sister Europe", go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPGQXrbeay8&mode=related&search=

To see a live version of "It Goes On", a beautiful indictment of both the empty highbrow party culture of London's 'arts' scene and of British politics and government, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltFdMIyq_kA&mode=related&search=

To see their seminal epic "India", performed live in Dublin, 2005, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHxxLGXby6M&mode=related&search=

Finally (though there are many more to come), see "President Gas" performed live in the UK, 2005, by going here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAL0cKxBcL4&mode=related&search=

Note the examples of political commentary, as Richard Butler offers exampes of the overblow rhetoric and ego of "President Gas":

"You have to have a party
when you're in a state like this.
You can really move it all,
you have to vote and change.
You have to get right out of it,
right out of all this mess.
You'll say 'yeah' to anything,
if you believe all this, but...

Don't cry, don't do anything.
No lies, back in the government.
No tears, party time is here again.
President Gas is up for President.
Line up. Put your kisses down.
Say 'yeah', say 'yes' again.
Stand up, there's a head count.
President Gas on everything but roller skates.

It's sick, the price of medicine.
Stand up, we'll put you on your feet again.
Open up your eyes, just to check that you're asleep again.
President Gas is President Gas again.

He comes in from the left sometimes,
he comes in from the right.
It's so heavily advertised that
he wants you and I.

It's a real cowboy set, electric company
Everyday is 'happy days', it's,
Hell without the sin..."

For more information on the Furs, go to www.burneddowndays.com

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