Siouxsie and the Banshees "The Scream" - Raw Punk Reborn as Refined Post-Punk

Siouxsie Sioux at Sheffield Limit Club, 1978

What can be said about Siouxsie and the Banshees debut album, The Scream, that hasn't already been said? Maybe not much, but I'm here to give my take on it anyways! Particularly for those who may not have listened to it (or any other Banshees material) before, and who would find it most useful. But even if you already know and love the Scream, hopefully this might give you a new perspective on what makes the record so groundbreaking, and why it has such staying power in alternative music. 

Released in 1978, the Scream both astounded and terrified critics of the time. Today, almost all of them can agree it altered the course of alternative rock, namely post-punk and gothic rock, forever. It is certainly the most punk-sounding record the Banshees released, with shouting / "screaming" vocals, and abrasive guitar work. But it also has that signature, pronounced, post-punk bass line throughout, and gothic, sometimes morbid, lyrical themes. 

Siouxsie Sioux's roots in the late 70's British punk scene run deep, as she was very involved in the music and fashion of the time. She was one of the more well-known members of the Bromley Contingent- a group of punk followers of the Sex Pistols, who dressed eccentrically and helped establish what would later become "mainstream" punk fashion. This usually consisted of leather, lingerie, chains, safety pins, and lots of D.I.Y. made clothes, most of which are all still seen in punk fashion today. You can see some of this exemplified in the photo below (Warning: if female nipples offend you, scroll past).

Siouxsie Sioux dancing with fellow Bromley Contingent member, Debbie Juvenile, at a Sex Pistols gig in 1976.

But there is so much more to Siouxsie than her ever-evolving, iconic looks! After the first wave of British punk music was starting to die out by 1978, and the Sex Pistols broke up, so too did the Bromley Contingent. And those in the group who possessed any musical talent (i.e. Siouxsie, Billy Idol, etc.) decided to form bands. Thus the Banshees were born. And they came out the gate screeching like punk, but also with something completely original, later to be coined post-punk.

Their punk roots can be heard on tracks like "Carcass", which is allegedly about a butcher's assistant who couldn't get a girlfriend, so he falls in love with a slab of meat and cuts off his limbs to be more like what he loves. Pretty messed up, but also fascinating! Which is something the Banshees are best at. Or punk-rock influenced, but with more despairing, miserable goth lyrics is "Nicotine Stain", which describes the torture of nicotine withdrawal and craving "just one more" cigarette. You can check out "Carcass" below!

Then there's their cover of the Beatles' classic "Helter Skelter". It's title already alluding to chaos and disorder, the song was made infamous after cult leader Charles Manson, used it as his reason for hate crimes and murders, having declared it a song about a future "race war". Siouxsie and the Banshees recognize the song's dark history, and make that the focus of their cover version, giving it a slow, creepy beginning that eventually erupts loudly and terrifyingly. It is one of my favorite covers of all-time, as it gives a completely new feeling to an already beloved and classic song. Whether you like the Beatles or not, I think you should check this version out, as the Banshees make it completely their own. You can listen to it below.

Overall, the Scream is a masterpiece. It influenced so many other big names in post-punk, such as members of Joy Division, the Cure, Killing Joke, and more that came after. It was unlike anything else released at the time, but also carried forth the familiar feelings of punk, reborn with a darker sound. I could say something about every track on the album, but I don't want to spoil the surprise for anyone who hasn't heard it all the way through yet! I invite anyone who hasn't to go listen through the entirety of the Scream, (as well as later Banshees records, because they're all damn good). And if you already know it, but maybe haven't picked it up in a while, go give it another spin on your turntable! It is still as powerful as it was...42 years ago?? Wait, that can't be right...damn I guess it is. Anyways! You can find the Scream on Spotify, or similar platforms. So check out the madness for yourself! 

Siouxsie and the Banshees, 1978.