Echo and The Bunnymen - Thorn Of Crowns

[dadaqueen55]

Absolutely magnificent performance!

[GriefTourist]

mac sitting on the fence as usual

[daffodil97]

love it relevant at 3.16

[15LeanaK]

I love that smile at 3:16 <3 :D

[johnbarry1965]

A great songwriter can make a shopping list poignant and McCulloch did - cccucumber,ccccabbage,cccaulif­lower!

[chestnut2333]

Creative, mesmerizing, authentic... where has it all gone???

[tiranchula]

I forget how great music in the 80's was.... Thanks for reminding me! The last decade of where it was o.k. to be different~ or so I think!

[GrantIsWright]

I know almost every comment here is a comparison to another artist but there is definitely a bit of Nick Cave in here too don't you think?

[TheRanTanWaltz]

just been told our band sound like these. got a couple of tracks up on our page, more to come in March. hope you like them x

[smcgillis248]

My favorite by them....lesser known......Ca ca ca cucumber......ca ca ca cabbage .....ca ca ca cauliflower.....trippy.

[bubblevision]

What a great drummer Pete de Freitas was

[bookwormgal1996]

LOVE THIS SONG!! lol Mac is crazy in this video!

[GriefTourist]

he kept getting burgled hence the criminal references

[staskod]

cold fire

[nikbunnymen]

GREATEST BAND . love all their songs however my fav are 'show of strenght, pictures on my wall and heaven up here''

Love ya bunnymen........U2..go and piss off you're fake and hopeless.

[gouvyrock]

the guitar man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! amazing!!

[smcgillis248]

@gouvyrock

Actually spent about ten talking to Will Sargent.....not only a great guitar player but really down to earth....Got my cousin whose mostly into rock and metal into Echo.....great riffs for a non-metal guitar player.

[JESUSr00lz]

Lolol he does kinda sound like morrisson towards the end.

[6747654]

<3333 such a good song

[5arx]

Majestic. Written at the height of their godlike genius.

[SteinOfOrange]

These guys if they had arrived in 1967 with this album would have caused a lot of "permanent" trips. This album should be heralded as the ultimate SHROOOOOOOM release!

[bafiusreid]

Puta la hueá cool

[OSLAINTE123]

stunning

[Babydoll2568]

i looove this stuff. I am starting to like u "Dr Cheese". We have so much in common in music. I loved ur re-mix of dazzle of Siouxsie and Banshees. and now this! Its great from Rachel.

[jimjimq]

Pete De Freitas has got ma mammy's dish towel on the side of his Tom-tom.

What a feckin Genius the man was, saw him at The Barrowlands, they put him at the front of the stage beside Ian, God bless Kiddah...

[MusicStudioTV]

wtf? taeast tesatt

[DianaDiazSinger]

Wow!! Seriously, this is such a great version of this. And Will and Ian are actually smiling and looking happy in the middle of a song. RARE!!!

[DianaDiazSinger]

A smile for Will is just looking pleased, which he does around 1:50

[rimmel65]

Not so rare,belive me :)

[DianaDiazSinger]

Well, that's good. Will always seems so serious when he's performing--99% of the time. They weren't exactly an all smiles sort of band--so when you watch Seven Seas after Porcupine or Killing Moon it's like wow.

[rimmel65]

Missed the point!!They are the coolest band in the world so they don't need smiles,.

And please,HUH is to scream that wow!

[DianaDiazSinger]

This is the best version I have heard--it's a shame he starts talking about stupid stuff. Weird that Mac did that. Also a shame they it was cut off. The version at Rock Ola in Madrid was good but this was even better.

[rimmel65]

Weird?

Do you really know this fantastic band?

Anyway there are not many versions of this great song around

[DianaDiazSinger]

Yes, I know alot about them anyway. I was just reading Never Stop by Tony Fletcher and the main contributing factor to Mac's rant at the end was simple, his house had been broken into for the sixth time right around this show. They're my fav band.

[rimmel65]

I've read it in 87 and i've get my first eatb's record in the early age(summer 80) so ,sorry but I recognise a long time bunnyfan and every true bunnyfan knows they were and are magic and weird...cccucumber....cccabbag­e..

[Snotra]

Iggy Pop!!!

[buraa]

great version

[jackemlyn062]

Holy COW.  WOW.

It can't get better than this!!!!

[AnchovyofIronforge]

Oggy, yeah, I thought that, too. Chalked it up to being high.

[MrBazzabee]

Pete n' Will on this, are UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!

[whyitsfunny]

If you look up the lyrics, they always say "you think your INVINCIBLE, never come out of the fridge" and "you once was an anchor, now you're a tarot king" Does anyone else think he sings "you think you're a VEGETABLE" and "you once was an Inca, now you're a Cherokee?" because that's what I have always thought it was. Please comment, I want to know what other people think. Thanks.

-Oggy

[mrgr2mm]

They don't "always say" that, but you are right. It is "vegetable," "inca," and "cherokee"

[KimORama1]

It sounds like vegetable to me - that's what I always thought he was saying. GREAT version of this song!

[pedheadz]

definitely is vegetable... which explains the references to cabbage etc.

[strooka]

brilliant. i used to sing "you once was an inca now you're a terrapin". i always thought it was "vegetable" too!

[whyitsfunny]

@strooka

Thanks for your thoughts. I am a guitarist, but our vocalist back then used to sing vegetable, we in the band liked it that way

[utpunkster]

I'm sure they must have been big in the UK

[withlaserson]

In the UK they had a number of singles in the top 40 (and a few in the top 10) I think, and had at least one album in the top 10.

[utpunkster]

I don't know about the rest of the US but in the early 80s the big hair bands were getting most of the radio air time in the good old state of Utah. There was really only one main station that would play E&B so I think their exposure was limited, at least where I grew up. They did come and play Utah in the mid 80s. It was one of my first concerts - mosh pits and stage diving were all the rage. What a great time. I got hooked early and still love listening

[jabberwocky1969]

@utpunkster Even in Boston, you only heard Ocean Rain on the WZBC the Boston College radio station audible only with 15 miles of Newton, MA. Maybe WFNX played them a little but that was it. Almost no commercial exposure pre 1994.

[whyitsfunny]

I remember back in the day, Mac would often come on smacked out like this, and do a phenomenal performance anyway! Better than most, that's for sure. Can anyone explain why these guys never became mega popular? Are most people THAT lacking in taste as to miss this genius?!?

[jackemlyn062]

Cool is the word.  By defintion the coolest singer, and band, Ever, Ever, Ever....

[jgsimmo1]

this is so cool..i love Ian..actually i know Ian..lol

[papevo]

peccato per la loro breve carriera,meritavano molto di più

[rimmel65]

Guarda che sono ancora attivissimi!

[papevo]

mi sai dare qualche info a riguardo dei nuovi brani? non riesco a trovare nulla in giro.grazie

[rimmel65]

Dipende a quando ti sei fermato nelle loro cose,sei fermo/a ad Ocean Rain?La loro storia è lunga e complicata...oggi è uscito 1 nuovo singolo

[papevo]

purtroppo si , cercherò di rimediare. grazie mille

[kirkwallboy]

would loved to have been there, what creative havoc

[marmelendez]

I cant believe i was waisting time in the daycare when i could have been at EB concert i was such a baby back then..

[utpunkster]

I had my first contact high at an E&B concert at the ripe old age of 16. I will never forget it.

[walterpisante]

This version is weird.

[ajittffcure]

I feel like listening to 'Ocean Rain' album all the time!

[ajittffcure]

Absolutely superb live version of 'Thorn of Crowns' from one of the best albums made in the history of music!

[NicBunnymen]

@ajittffcure AGREE WITH YOU....Although, Heaven Up Here is also superb..ALL their material are awesome..lets face it they're the GREATEST.

[kidad7]

:'}

[creamstripe]

Meat! chicken!

[travisrlel2]

Bad-ass.  Love how in the height of new wave they were using acoustic instruments all over Porcupine and Ocean Rain. No synths in sight.

[geoalley]

True, but they used them right after Ocean Rain, doesn't Bring on the Dancing Horses have a stong synth line?

[jsy005]

Ocean Rain was recorded using a live string orchestra. No synths were used. Mac was quoted as saying they were wary of sounding dated if they used synths. Good thing, because they still sound modern, no hint of the cheesy 80s sound.

[BVader80]

I wanna be one times one with you-oo-oo! One of my favorite songs! This one by Echo sounds kind of like new wave/post punk with Jim Morrison theatrics. I want to say The Doors crossed with Duran Duran,  but that doesnt seem right

[towipo]

One of the best songs, by one of the greatest bands EVER! Thanks.

[karziflora]

Sergeant is wild on the guitar, amazing!!!!!!!!

[ApopheniaIV]

i bought a trenchcoat after watching this

[jimjimq]

I bought the fingeress gloves Mate... Happy Daze....

[emilybronte2005]

so did I !

[harrytheblurfan]

@ApopheniaIV You mean you didn't have one before? :P

[eyeballboob]

It was soooo wonderful to finally catch them live at Stubb's! Of course, I always had a crush on Ian!

[jimjimq]

What was the drummers name? he was feckin amazing, I saw The Bunnymen at the Barrowlands in Glasgow a few times, they always sat the drum kit near the front of the stage, it was brilliant just watching him. I remember watchin this when it was broadcast, jeez I feel old...

[stOOpid68]

I think it was something like Matt or Will Sergeant, but I reckon he left at some point, so Dunno if its him in this clip. soz, kinda random, bit hope that helps....

[jimjimq]

Pete De Freitas was the drummer, thanks Mate, Will Sargeant was the guitarist...kick it!! kick it!!

[stOOpid68]

cheers jimjimq!

I knew there was a sargeant in there somewhere kidda! ;)

[jimjimq]

Wait for me on a blue horizon, a blue horizon....He's a feckin genius

[rimmel65]

Great Pete De Freitas was the drummer!

[utpunkster]

They are all 'kickin it' in this one - the energy level is amazing. I used to walk the halls of High School siging this song - for some reason the teachers thought I was on drugs - go figure:)

[superbobosbourne]

What an awesome song! It gets better every time I hear it. i've been saying that for the past 20 years. Every song by the Bunnymen is this way for me.

'... you KICK IT, kick it...'

[peteandniko]

I think Ocean Rain is their best Album,followed closely by Heaven Up Here and Porcupine.

[peteandniko]

ccccccccumber,cccccccabbage,cc­cccccccauliflower,EATB at their finest,fantastic

[tomcatfoxy]

Excellent stuff. It's very much like Gang of Four, isn't it, and in no way is that a criticism.

[jrbd01]

Buen video, a los fans mi mail is jraulbuelna@hotmail com vivo en Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico

[pactis11]

twh moar brilliNT DARWIN lyrics

[pactis11]

yet another great band!!!!!!!!!!witha a charmingggggggggg vocalist

[dannidemonic]

great performance from a great live band when they were at they're peak , will sergeant is god , weg

[opticon91]

wow amazing. the Bunnymen are one of the best.

[pactis11]

always been in love with him!!!

[bkltd]

i saw this live .. .amasing

[louisorleans]

Eh? Mac's Dad was Scottish and whatever Mac is pure scouse: "Dere's too many crimerons in Great Briton...day shud choppe all de crimerons handzoff and errrrrrrrr you-na-kise-'em...choppe errr choppe da jenderoff at da knee.."

Classic!

[Snotra]

Morrison and McChulloch are both Irish drunks!

[ghostsonatasong]

no.

[ABTE67]

is so much better que the doors

[WilkyMay609]

I screamed like that when the shower turned to ice cold water this morning. In a little over a year, EATB will be in their FIFTH decade of making great music. What other British band can make that claim? (and don't say the Rolling Stones, their last great album was in 1972, Exile on Main Street)

[DrCheese01]

Fifth decade? Hardly. Crocodiles was released in 1980 and the Echo Arena OR gig is celebrating their 30th anniversary!

[WilkyMay609]

I did not write that EATB were recording music for 50 years. I wrote that they in a little over a year, they will bave been making music covering 5 decades. The formed in the 70's (1), 80's(2), 90's(3), this decade (4) and the next decade that will be here in a year (5). But Hey!, whose counting? and thanks for all your terrific posts.

[LordSeth924]

lol Who cares whos right or wrong, their still One of the best, or even the best, band out there. I saw them at Radio City for their 30th. Ian's still got it. I loved how they threw in Wild Side and People Are Strange. Im gonna remember that day for a long time.

[Soulinisolation1]

@DrCheese01 They made some singles in the 70s, having formed in 1978. Books was one I believe, which was 'the one crap song' written by the Crucial Three, as The Teardrop Explodes recorded it too. For Their sake, I hope Echo and half the Bunnymen don't carry on. Their last album was terrible

[joydivided23]

@DrCheese01 To be fair, they probably started in the 70s, did in the 80s, 90s & 00s, and wilky may said in a little over a year (i.e. 10s) That adds up to 5 for me!

[pedheadz]

@WilkyMay609 Wow, I want to know what came out in '60.

[ljpw93]

best damn band on the planet...pete, will, les & ian are pure genius on every level...I LOVE EATB!

[54spiritedwill54]

increible!!!!!!

[Quinnpie]

The Doors comparison is really lazy. Surely it was only after this album was released that people started saying that. Nothing else in their back catalogue I've heard (Heaven Up Here, Songs To Learn and Sing)sounds like The Doors. Anyway, this song is amazing!

[Snotra]

MORRISON!

[xsoph355]

saw them at stratford oct 83 ben elton was compere they were stunning

[paulconrad]

saw them in 87 in rio, two nights in a row at the canecao, was tits

[jeffolla]

mac the perfect scouser

[jamiecrottyEFC]

YOUR RIGHT MAN SORRY WRONG INFO NOV 08

[jamiecrottyEFC]

see the bunnymen echo arena liverpool december 2008 ocean rain tour see u there.this song live.

[iwantian]

the concert is in November not December...check your ticket. Wouldn't want you to miss it. :)

[Lobotomyu]

Is it me or does Ian McCulloch look a lot like Blixa bargeld around this era.

[iwantian]

people with no point of reference for this song must hear and go WTF?

[opticalsound]

Really really excellent.

Unfortunately the frame is too tiny.

[hellcatmudwrestler]

top song

[rimmel65]

One of the finest song ever written...

[annoying181092]

they are wonderful.

i love their hair.

im sorry i am too young to remember them, i wish i could have seen them live- im sure that would be a performance to remember!!!

[AbraCadaverArson]

absolutely brilliant

[buickmonte]

i think i was the only one on the Texas gulf coast rocking this and other Echo music in the 80's. man i would crank this song and just fuckin blow the minds of rap heads riding around at that time!!!

[cardpack]

Best! Riff! Ever!

[ljpw93]

men on mars

april showers....

i'm waiting for ya mac...on the blue horizon...

1x1 with you!

[letsfuku]

I had a crush on Ian those juicy lips

[m11051970]

Amazing as always. I had the pleasure of meeting the band on numerous occasions and have to say that they were 'sound' guys. Such a shame Pete was killed so young...

[carloskameni]

yeah he was an amazing drummer

[aquestionofkelly]

In some ways, this song reminds me of Sonic Youth...I mean if Sonic Youth had more structure to their music.

I'm falling in love with Echo, guys...

[petrusaloisius]

Maybe youre right. Im 38 and I get tears in my eyes of the beautiful sound of Echo. But in the 90s there were The Pixies and Sonic Youth and Nirvana and I was amazed again. Great great great .

[losghost]

It wouldn't be surprising if these guys were an influence for sonic. They were a bit before them.

At 39 this song brings backs many memories of my youth.

[dieselboy808]

my third favourite band,after the cure and depeche. I tried listening to sonic youth to see what the appeal was and I couldn't relate, couldn't find anything in their music I could grasp onto. I saw these guys in the 80's, I would compare them more to like an English version of the Doors.

[aquestionofkelly]

Echo's MY second favorite after Depeche! DM and Echo are the only two bands I've found so far that has lyrics that really grasp me with admirable melodies to go along with them.

It's often hard for me to really feel Sonic Youth's music too. As far as the atmosphere goes, both bands have some similarities at times.

[superrsonico]

increible!!!!!!

[obscurealternative]

The long mac brigade were the coolest people ever. This is so typical

[Wickstik]

Now you're a Chero-KEEE !!! Wooo!

Amazing - best band ever...

[chrisedelic77]

Wonderful!!

[Hemulen40]

stupid ass ! dey wouldnt dislike comparison !

Shithead !

Saw dem in Stockholm -88 . And dey played Doors songs da whole concert .

[4gelassenheit]

that must of been awesome

[Hemulen40]

Sure was , pal !

[AleDmode]

Stop comparing Echo and the Bunnymen with The Doors!!!!!just enjoy this brilliant song full of virtuosity and admit that they are a legend.Ian I love you!!!!!despite the fact that you could be my father....

[pugless70]

This one's just stellar ... what a fantastic performance. Mac's screaming, Pete's wailing away on the drums and Will's amazing skills on the guitar. Breathtaking.

[Stoneroses6300]

wow.. This was great

[tomsmiled]

Still the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

[littlecave]

oh my

[owenklgc]

Of the 8 or 9 times I have seen the bunnymen, this song is always the highlight of the night.

[Nemova]

This one could easily pass as a Bauhaus tune, and Mac sounds a lot like good ol' Peter Murphy. Two bands that I absolutely love, by the way.

[Drini7]

I don't know if I'm the only one....but in this song (and only in this one) I hear similarities between Ian and Jim Morrison, especially in the psych part of the song (the middle one), also the sound seems a bit the one fo the doors. Anyway amazing song, probably the best one of ocean rain.

[RageInEden]

Echo and the Bunnymen were often referred to as being Doors-esque.

[braucks]

Amazing ! Brilliant performance of a not-easy song. Ian is awesome ! Thanks !

[sukhdev40]

doctor cheeseo1 good work your next mission find glastonbury 1985 sound and vision recordings good luck get cracking  . .n

[CRASS06]

best tube ever, killing joke and the bunnymen, BRILLINT.

[nmacog]

this is my YOUTH remember seeing this on the tube and being totally blown away - INCREDIBLE stuff - thanks for this !

[littlecave]

This is incredible

I thought he was going to put his finger in his mouth at around 1:12.

[returnsanecho]

i think some bands owe echo and the bunnymen some credit (& royalties...hee hee).

[DarkAlewhiskers]

Bloody masters of their trade...fucking great live performance from a great band.

Total and complete.

Thank you for this vid DrCheese.

[topite]

remember it well it is a shame the show was based in crappy newcstle upon tyne

[daftlad39]

newcastle upon tyne crappy? go fuck a moose you canadian streak of wank piss!

[psychelatte]

mac is most DEFINITELY drunk as a skunk on this video!!! can u hear him lisping towards the end?? he's off his head!!

[raverill]

Awesome, really powerful performance.. where did that weird "too many criminals in Great Britain" rant come from?

[daegrant]

Ian McCulloch's home had recently been broken into (and not for the first time I think - certainly not for the last). It's explained in Tony Fletcher's excellent book "Never Stop"

[Jesuskrishna]

this song always was a live poerhouse for them, bless the bunnies!

%^)

[skabotdan]

Fantastic, one of the best from the Bunnymen, great to see it again, cheers T

[camelpimp]

Ha! That just made me smile!

Why does Mac seem to just LOVE the "do you know how to twist" line?

[patches22]

One of my favorite songs. So dramatic! Love it. Thanks Dr. Cheese!

[marietherese]

Wow! I actually detest this song on 'Ocean Rain' and generally skip it (about the only Bunnymen track I ever do that with) but this live performance is stunning. Look at Will go! He's just amazing. Thanks so much for posting this.

[mikel677]

the best