The Creatures

Lore & Background

After a six-year hiatus, the duo recorded Boomerang (1989) in a stone barn in Jerez, Spain, blending blues, jazz, flamenco, and electronica. The album received widespread critical acclaim; NME called it 'a rich and unsettling landscape of exotica'. The single 'Standing There' reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. In the late 1990s, they released Anima Animus (1999), described by The Times as 'adventurous art rock built around Siouxsie's extraordinary voice and drummer Budgie's battery of percussion'. Their final album Hái! (2003) returned to their roots with Japanese minimalism, featuring taiko drummer Leonard Eto. They disbanded in 2005 after Siouxsie and Budgie divorced.

Reader's Guide

The Creatures' significance lies in their innovative use of percussion and voice as a foundation, evolving through diverse genres from exotica to blues, jazz, and urban electronica. Their work was praised by artists such as Jeff Buckley, PJ Harvey, and Anohni, and name-checked by Neil Hannon of the Divine Comedy. Boomerang was ranked at number 184 in Uncut magazine's list of 'the 500 Greatest Albums of the 1980s'. Their independent spirit led them to create their own label, Sioux Records, in the late 1990s. The duo's live performances, including tours with John Cale and appearances at Glastonbury, showcased their adaptability. Their final release, the live DVD Dreamshow (2005), reached No. 1 in the UK music DVD chart. The Creatures' discography remains available on digital platforms.

Did You Know?

• The Creatures formed accidentally in 1981 while Siouxsie and Budgie rehearsed for the Banshees' Juju album.
• For their debut album Feast (1983), they chose Hawaii by randomly placing a pin on a map of the world.
• The single 'Standing There' from Boomerang reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
• Their final album Hái! (2003) featured taiko drummer Leonard Eto and was recorded in Japan and France.