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Musicians:
A Kiss In The Dreamhouse:
- The quote on the cover; 'Nellie The Elephant Packed
His Trunk And Said Goodbye To The Circus' which appears on 'A Kiss
In The Dreamhouse' is a tribute to their former manager Nils
'Nellie' Stevenson.
- The artwork
by Rocking Russian for the 'A Kiss In The Dreamhouse' album &
subsequent singles was inspired by the paintings of Gustav
Klimt.
- The
album title was inspired by a TV detective programme centred around
a place called The Castle Of Dreams. "A series was
starting based around the twenties or thirties and this top-class
whorehouse in America. In the whorehouse you could meet
perfect replicas of the stars of the time, women like Mae West,
perfectly reproduced. It was a very rich and exclusive place
and it actually existed." (Siouxsie) Source:
Record Mirror 18/12/82.
- Siouxsie
& Budgie feel that 'A Kiss In The Dreamhouse' was their creative
peak, until the recording of 'Peepshow'.
Cascade:
- Recorded demo 12-15/03/82 at Workhouse Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Recorded
05/05-20/08/82 at Playground Studios and Abbey Road Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Recorded for a BBC Session 05/82.
- Originally earmarked to be the follow up single to
'Fireworks'. Source: Smash Hits 1982.
Green Fingers:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
Inspired by an episode of Rod Sterling’s Night
Gallery with the title Green Fingers; A property developer wants to get his hands on the land owned by an old lady. He uses all the means at his disposal. What he doesn't know is that the lady in question has a strange affinity with plants. Another inspiration was the film Motel Hell; Farmer Vincent kidnaps unsuspecting travellers and is burying them in his garden. Unfortunately for his victims, they are not dead. He feeds his victims to prepare them for his roadside stand.
- Recorded
07-27/07/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Recorded for a BBC Session 05/82.
Obsession:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SIOUXSIE: "The events in the
song actually took place. It's about a friend of a friend of mine.
Its an extreme example of what happens in more subtle ways in most
peoples relationships." Source: Record Mirror
18/12/82
SIOUXSIE: "People are confused by the fact that we do songs
like 'Tattoo' and 'Obsession,' which are wrongly classed as horror,
which I hate." Source: Sounds 10/05/86
BUDGIE: "While we were putting the guitar part to tape it
happened, something so peculiar that it would almost change the
arrangement of the song. Psycho guitar was stabbing out from the
speakers, when suddenly the tape machine began to slow down. Slower
and slower, almost to a dead stop, and then just as mysteriously it
began to correct itself. Nobody tampered with the machine, which
after its brief spasm, was now working perfectly. The effect it had
on the guitar part was wonderful; but what had caused it? There was
no logical explanation." Source: No.1 02/11/88
- Recorded
20/06-19/08/82 at Abbey Road Studios and Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Covered by Collide
- Reflections In The Looking
Glass.
- The sucking noises at the end are in fact Japanese
slang for 'Yes'.
- Recording: It was while we were putting the
guitar part to tape that it happened, something so peculiar that it
would almost change the arrangement of the song. Psycho guitar
was stabbing out from the speakers, when suddenly the tape machine
began to slow down. Slower and slower, almost to a dead stop, and
then just as mysteriously it began to correct itself. Nobody
tampered with the machine, which after its brief spasm, was now
working perfectly. The effect it had on the guitar part was
wonderful; but what had caused it? There was no logical
explanation. Could it have been the passing spirit of somebody
who once used the studio, somebody who was viciously murdered or
perhaps died there years prior to this incident? We will never
know what happened but the results can still be heard on
'Obsession'.
- Live
debut 24/11/82 Gaumont Theatre, Southampton. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Three.
She's
A Carnival:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
Although
not about her, the inspiration for the song 'She's A Carnival' began
with frequent clubber and now club DJ Princess
Julia.
- Recorded
05-27/07/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
Circle:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SIOUXSIE: "That's more
domestic horror, but I think it's saying you've got a choice. It's
disagreeing with the philosophy that says if you've come from
somewhere bad then you've had no choice. I've known people who've
come from appalling backgrounds and they're getting on and they're
not jealous and they're not sitting back and saying, this is my lot,
I give up. I'd love to believe that everyone does have a choice. I
think everyone can have self-worth. Source: NME
24/12/83
- Recorded
17-18/06/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue two.
- John
McGeoch plays the chimes of Big Ben for the
duration of this song.
- Although not released as a single a
promo
video was made for circle as part of
the Channel 4 series Play At Home
- The string section from the song 'Fireworks' is
played backwards throughout to create the strange reverse sucking rhythm.
Source: The File, Phase Two, Issue Two.
Melt!:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SIOUXSIE: "We’d just come back from our first tour of Japan, and it made a real impression on us all."
Source: Melody Maker 17/10/92
SEVERIN: "There wasn't (a promotional video made for 'Melt!) but (if there had been) it would have involved a giant ice phallus!"
Source: Banshees & Other Creatures Interview
2000
SEVERIN: "Both 'Melt!' and 'Slowdive' were risky choices as singles and we knew that, but it didn't really bother us, because we knew that 'Dreamhouse' was successful, not in sales terms but we were pleased with how it had gone."
Source: NME 24/12/83
- Recorded
27/06-18/08/82 at Abbey Road Studios and Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- A Side of 12" single has 'Here Comes The
Bride' scratched into the run out groove.
- B Side of 12" single has 'Big Fat & Wide'
scratched into the run out groove.
- No promo video was filmed for the release of
'Melt!'.
- The artwork for the sleeve was inspired by Gustav
Klimt's The
Blood Of Fish.
Painted Bird:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
Inspired by the book 'The Painted Bird' by Jerzy Kosinksi. SIOUXSIE:
"A very violent book," says Siouxsie. "But there's
also like an abstract theme in that this guy used to collect birds,
and when he was feeling really aggressive, or frustrated, he'd paint
this bird with different colours, and then throw it to its flock.
And it would recognise its flock, but because it was a different
colour, they would attack it." Source: NME17/04/82
- Recorded demo 12-15/03/82 at Workhouse Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Recorded
09/05-17/08/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Recorded for a BBC Session 05/82.
- Live version sampled by The
Beta Band on the song Liquid Bird - Heroes To
Zeros.
- Covered by Coptic
Rain - Discover EP.
Cocoon:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SIOUXSIE: "Mike Hedges was the one who introduced me to LSD.
One time, I decided to have a night in under the influence just to
see what would happen, and I ended up writing 'Cocoon'. It's all a
bit of a blur, but I remember getting out this Neapolitan ice cream
and thinking I was on the beach. I was actually in the kitchen on
the floor". Source: The Authorised Biography
2002
SIOUXSIE: "I always think 'Cocoon' off 'A Kiss In The Dream
House' sounds really happy but, again, the lyrics are a bit odd,
they grate against the sound of the music. I think that's something
we're good at, subverting lyrics." Source: Melody
Maker 14/05/83
MCGEOCH: “The nearest we got to writing a song in the studio
was ‘Cocoon’. I actually got a good review for my ‘jazz’
playing, which it certainly wasn’t. I was just flapping about.” Source:
The Authorised Biography 2002
- Recorded
07-26/07/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- The musical backing for the
first recording of Cocoon used a piece of music that would later
became the song 'Belladonna' from the 'Hyaena' album. Steve
began playing the 'Belladonna' tune on a six string bass, to which
Siouxsie sang the lyrics to 'Cocoon'. It was recorded, but on
hearing the 'playback' they both decided that the music wasn't
suitable for the lyrics, so it was shelved. Source: The
File, Phase Three, Issues Three & Four.
- Live
debut 22/11/82 Manchester Apollo, Manchester. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Three.
Slowdive:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SEVERIN: "It was just a drunken evening..." Source:
Melody Maker 17/10/92
SIOUXSIE: "Another sexual song, but more playful. It's very
open, very relaxed, loose. I wrote it on the spot after a jam in the
studio." Source: Record Hunter 12/92
SIOUXSIE: "I remember I wanted the string players to slow
down and get tired, so the ’Oh my God!’ in the middle of the
song is one of the string players’ wrists falling off! And the
video was this boy’s first dance routine! It took months of
rehearsal, and getting him to wear false eyelashes." Source:
Melody Maker 17/10/92
SIOUXSIE: " 'Slowdive' was an improvised lyric...It's like,
umm, if you're making music, what it amounts to is, because you're
expressing something you can't say in words. So for me to explain
what that is, is taking away something that you lose when you're
just using speech. With music it should speak for itself. Source:
Elektron Interview 20/12/82
- Recorded
02-05/07/82 at Playground Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Covered by LCD
Sound System 2005.
- A Side of 12" single has 'Oh We're In The
Dips' scratched into the run out groove.
- The "oh my god" in the middle of
'Slowdive ' is one of the
string players moaning from exhaustion. Source: Melody
Maker 17/10/92.
- The artwork for the sleeves was inspired by Gustav
Klimt's Danae
and Leda.
Fireworks:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
SIOUXSIE: " 'Fireworks' indicated the direction we wanted for
the album. We wanted strings on that. John wanted a machine but
Steve and I said it had to be real strings. They give a real,
earthy, rich sound. You could hear the strings spitting and
breathing and wheezing." Source: Record Mirror
18/12/82
SIOUXSIE: "We'd heard that he (Martin Rushent) wanted to
work with us. We wanted to have a go. We thought he might have a
different approach to the Banshees, that he wouldn't treat us like a
cult. We'd have changed him as much as he changed us. Rushent agreed
to a date to start working with us and ten he kept putting us off at
short notice so we've abandoned the idea." Source: Record
Mirror 12/06/82
SIOUXSIE: "The song's very sexual, explosive,
distraught." Source: Record Hunter 12/92
- Recorded (Nigel Gray Version) 19-24/09/81 at Surrey Sound
Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Recorded 15-17/04/82 at Playground Studios. Final mix
22/04/82. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Originally scheduled for release on 31/10/81. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Performed on Top
Of The Pops 03/06/82.
- A Side of 7" single has 'Eat The Sleeve'
scratched into the run out groove.
- B Side of 12" single has 'Find The Blutter'
scratched into the run out groove.
- During the making of the
promotional video the man responsible for the pyrotechnics ended up
in hospital with three layers of skin missing from his face, due to
a problem with one of the explosions.
- The 12" versions ends
with the sound of the band throwing Chinese firecrackers.
- The band objected to Top
Of The Pops suggestion of a flashing neon sign saying SIOUXSIE during
their performance on the show. Source: Melody
Maker 17/10/92.
- Live
debut 30/09/81 New Theatre, Coventry. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
Coal Mind:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
The book
The
Green Brain by Frank Herbert. Source: Downside
Up liner notes.
- Recorded 19-24/09/81 at Surrey Sound Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue One.
- Recorded for a BBC Session 05/82.
We Fall:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
Falling/dying in your sleep. Source: Downside
Up liner notes.
- The barely audible male voice that can be heard
during the intro is sound man Tim Sunderland. Source:
Downside Up liner notes.
- Never
performed live.
Cannibal Roses:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
"About this time strange things were happening around me.
I swear that a giant sunflower started to grow outside my first
floor flat in Queens Park. It's head used to peer in the
window at me when it thought I wasn't looking. Life imitating
art" (Siouxsie) Source: Downside Up Booklet.
- First
recorded 11/07/82 at Playground Studios, re-recorded 31/08/82. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
- Never
performed live.
A Sleeping Rain:
- Recorded
23-24/10/82 at Wessex Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Three.
- John
McGeoch's last recording with the Banshees. Source:
Downside Up liner notes.
- Never
performed live.
Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant:
- Inspiration/Influence/Band
Comment:
MCGEOCH: "Siouxsie and I began to have one or two musical differences. One in particular was over a
French hymn she wanted to record ('Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant'),
possibly because she had some French connection in the family. I said, "I really can't see this working, so if you
don't mind I'm not gonna take part.' I didn't. That sowed the seeds a little."
Source: The Authorised Biography 2002
- Recorded
23-24/10/82 at Wessex Studios. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Three.
- Cover of a traditional French song.
- No promo video was filmed for the release of
'Il
Est Ne Le Divin Enfant '.
- Never
performed live.
Choir:
- For their last two gigs of 1982
at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, the band had wanted to add another
dimension to their live presentation by having a choir perform along
side them. Sadly this idea didn't reach fruition. Source: The File,
Phase Two, Issue Two.
John McGeoch:
- Siouxsie & Budgie's
favourite Banshee guitarist.
Voice Scare:
- June 6, 1982: Siouxsie
consults a throat specialist in Sweden & is told to stop singing
immediately for 6 months while she undergoes therapy or she will
lose her voice altogether! The Banshees fly home; while Siouxsie
herself gets a second opinion. Everything is put on hold, including
recording their half-finished new album.
Court Of Miracles:
- Siouxsie appears in a little
seen short film by John Maybury called Court
Of Miracles. Source:
The
Guardian 14/01/95.
Star Wars:
- Siouxsie was
approached about the possibility of playing 'the Queen of a dark and
distant planet' in the third Star Wars movie. Unfortunately
the person who approached Siouxsie never followed through with the
script.
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