The Classic Rock Archive
> Browse > Latest IssueSearch the Archive
Enter your search below and click "Search".
(e.g. 'hendrix' or 'guitar solo')
Your Account
You're not logged in! Logging into the archive will allow you to flag and retrieve articles you're especially interested in.
> Login to your account > Registernum nrinral
From page 73 of Classic Rock Magazine July 2001
Cover of July 2001 issue.
CU L T nrrcm.
How Astbury, Duffy and Sorum went beyond good and evil
Recorded at: Hollywood's A&M studios. The band were apparently delighted to get a visit from Paul McCartney, who walked into the studio wearing a `Sonic Temple' T-shirt.
Produced by: Bob Rock. Rock got Metallica's `Black' album gig because Lars Ulrich was so impressed with the job he did on 'Sonic Temple'. Bob has also produced Aerosmith and Motley Crue.
The tour: The band are currently touring across America with Stabbing Westward in support. It began in Little Rock Arkansas on May 11th and ends in San Francisco on August 8. They play their first UK show at the Carling Leeds Festival on 24 August.
History: Astbury originally fronted Southern Death Cult, forming Death Cult with Duffy in 1983. The pair had met when SDC and Duffy's group Theatre Of Hate toured together. Death Cult soon further shortened their moniker to The Cult. They were originally joined by Duffy's former Theatre Of Hate colleague Nigel Preston on drums and bassist Jamie Stewart.
They hooked up with producer Rick Rubin for 1987's 'Electric'. He helped give them the stripped-down rock sound they wanted, and they more fulsomely embraced their harder influences (AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Cream).
Astbury and Duffy are the only remaining original members although Matt Sorum, who played with them during the 'Sonic Temple' era and returned when the band reactivated in 1999, is now considered a third permanent member. Sorum had been lured away to play with Guns N' Roses in 1990 to replace the increasingly unstable Steven Adler after they reportedly offered him a ranch. Well, what's a jobbing musician to do?
After regrouping, The Cult signed a new deal with Lava/Atlantic. They supported Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes on some dates on last year's US tour. Astbury is also deputising, along with Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, for his hero, the late Jim Morrison, with the surviving members of The Doors, on a projected 'new' album.
