About

the death cult was formed by ian astbury and billy duffy, out of the ashes of the bands theatre of hate (duffy), southern death cult (astbury), and ritual, (ray mondo and jamie stewart). a post-punk super group, if you will. astbury had become disillusioned with the southern death cult, and ended it at a final gig in manchester, feb. 83. he soon met up with billy duffy who was working in kensington after his split with theatre of hate. they knew each other from an SDC/TOH tour in 82. they got along, had similar ideas, and the death cult was formed. later they recruited nigel preston (also formerly of TOH, drumming with sex gang children at the time). ray mondo, ironically, joined sex gang children in return.

We're all a happy family (cult) ...

Billy Duffy started in a band called "The Nosebleeds", which featured Steven Morrissey (later of the Smiths) on vocals (a replacement for Ed Banger, later of the last incarnation of Slaughter and the Dogs). Billy also taught Johnny Marr how to play guitar. Before Theatre of Hate he was in Slaughter (minus the dogs), aka the Studio Sweethearts (the name "Slaughter" wasn't getting any gigs or recording deals...). A temporary band, The Andy Blade Group, featured Andy Blade of "Eater" (76-78 punk outfit), then onto Lonesome No More, and finally, Theatre of Hate. After he left TOH, living in Coldharbour Manor, (home of others like Sex Gang Children, Under Two Flags, and UK Decay) he and Abbo, singer of the recently deceased punk / gothic veteran band UK Decay, wrote "Brothers Grimm", but nothing came of it and they went their own ways.

Leaving Canada after his mother's death, and a 28 day career in the army, Ian Astbury spent some time in Belfast and Glasgow, but eventually back to his country of birth, Great Britian. He began the Southern Death Cult in May 1981. They had outstanding success thanks to bands like UK Decay and Bauhaus, the growing popularity of the Batcave and Post Punk music scenes, and their extraordinary skill and unique American Indian vision. When Astbury called it quits in 83, he shortly after formed Death Cult. The other Southern Death Cult members (Buzz, Barry, and Aky) evolved into Getting the Fear and then changed the name to Into A Circle, with Rose McDowall (Strawberry Switchblade, later to work with Death In June, Current 93).

Ritual had formed in '79, and was another post punk/gothic group along the lines of southern death cult, but much darker and harsher, with saxophone. They'd only had two singles out, Mind Disease and Kangaroo Court. They are explained elsewhere on deathrock.com. When Ray (drums) and Jamie (guitar) split for Death Cult, Errol and Mark (vox, bass) formed In Excelsis with former UK Decay guitarist, Steve Spon. Mark would later form the band "Famous" (who didnt quite live up to the name, ha!)