The Psychedelic Furs

Despite their name, there was nothing particularly psychedelic-sounding about The Psychedelic Furs when they released their first single, "We Love You," in 1979. The sound found on the London-based band's self-titled 1980 debut album felt more like David Bowie and The Velvet Underground being fed through a post-punk filter. Richard Butler's raspy, charisma-laden vocals rode atop a wall of sound fueled by the twin guitars of Roger Morris and John Ashton and the scrappy saxophone of Duncan Kilburn.

They became a success straight away in England, and earned an underground rep in America. The second Furs album, 1981's Talk Talk Talk, added a touch more pop sensibility, most prevalent in "Pretty in Pink," which was only an underground success at the time, but became one of the band's biggest hits when a re-recorded version was featured in John Hughes and Molly Ringwald's film "Pretty In Pink" (1986).

Just before the recording of 1982's Forever Now, internal friction resulted in the departure of Kilburn and Morris, leaving a drastically altered band in the hands of producer Todd Rundgren. The result was the band's most expansive and successful outing so far, including the hit "Love My Way." Drummer Vince Ely dropped out prior to 1984's Mirror Moves, trimming the Furs to a trio.

With producer Keith Forsey (who ended up doing most of the drumming) the band forged a new sound that was far more commercial. The charts reacted accordingly to both this album and its stylistically similar successor, 1987's Midnight to Midnight, making for The Furs' most successful period. 1989's Book of Days was a return to their roots that found Ely back in the fold.

After 1991's World Outside, the band split, with Butler forming Love Spit Love. But they reunited in 2000 (minus Ely) and though they didn't make any more records, they continued touring for years to come.