I was on a training course today and, off topic, was chatting to the trainer. He was telling me he was at the Scottish Fashion Awards ‘do at the weekend because his pal was one of the organisers.

I thought that all sounded all fine and well, until he told me who was sitting at his table. To have Clare Grogan sitting there would probably have been interesting enough; she’d be a good laugh, but he also had Siouxsie Sioux there too. Apparently she was dressed in a tight green catsuit and full Siouxsie makeup. Class.

Now, anyone that knows me will know that I am a big Siouxsie and the Banshees fan, from way back. They famously came into existence after Siouxsie took the stage at a gig in the 100 Club in 1976 where the Sex Pistols were topping the bill, and sung a punk version of the Lords Prayer. Thirty-three years, 14 albums and 30 or so singles later, that shows a bit of staying power.

I would dearly have loved to have been on that table, and got a chance to talk to her about the old days and what it was like, in a proper muso-journo. But, in all reality, I’d probably have just sat there grinning like a goon, swooning even.

Some interesting things people maybe didn’t know about the Banshees…

Although there was only a core of two main members; Siouxsie (born Susan Ballion) on vocals and Steve Severin (Steven Bailey) on Bass, Budgie (Peter Clarke) on Drums featured heavily in the peak of the band’s success.  A number of other ‘guests’ featured with the band throughout their career, including Sid Viscious (pre Sex Pistols), Marco Pirroni (pre Adam and the Ants), Robert Smith (of The Cure) and John McGeoch (a Scot who played in Magazine, Visage and coincidentally, PIL).

Here’s a wee collection of Siouxsie class for the unfamiliar (Spotify required). Favourite track? For me it has to be ‘Arabian Knights’; great lyrics, gripping musically. Juju is probably my favourite Banshees album.

Arabian Knights
by Siouxsie and the Banshees

The jewel, the prize
looking into your eyes
Cool pools drown your mind
What else will you find

I hear a rumour, it was just a rumour
I heard a rumour, what have you done to her

Myriad lights, they said I’d be impressed
Arabian Knights, at your primitive best

A tourist oasis-reflects in seedy sunshades a monstrous oil tanker
it’s wound bleeding in seas

I heard a rumour, what have you done to her
I heard a rumour, what have you done to her

Veiled behind screens
kept as your baby machine
Whilst you conquer more orifices
Of boys, goats and things
Ripped out sheeps eyes, no forks or knives

Myriad lights-they said I’d be impressed Arabian Knights-at your primitive best

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