SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES Released Their Post-Punk Landmark Album ‘JUJU’ Today 45 Years Ago

Significant longplayers from yesteryear

19 June 2026

London‘s post-punk pioneers SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES (1976–1996)
released their 4th LP, named JUJU on 19 June 1981, today 45 years ago.

Steve Severin (guitarist/producer): “Juju was the first time we’d made a “concept”
album that drew on darker elements. It wasn’t pre-planned, but, as we were writing,
we saw a definite thread running through the songs, almost a narrative to the album
as a whole”.

It was acclaimed by critics upon its release, with praise given particularly to
John McGeoch‘s unconventional guitar playing and Siouxsie‘s vocal performances.
It remains a critical favourite and is seen as a landmark album of post-punk.

Sounds (legendary British music weekly) wrote at the time: “Siouxsie’s voice
seems to have acquired a new fullness of melody with a rich, dark smoothness.
The way this unit operates is impressively cohesive, like one brain the inventive
musical talents of guitarist McGeoch, drummer Budgie and bassist Severin mesh
perfectly with Siouxsie”.

Singles.

– SPELLBOUND –

– ARABIAN KNIGHTS –

ALBUM


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Short Bio – All Albums

JOHN MCGEOCH – 28 May 1955 / 5 March 2004

Scotsman JOHN MCGEOCH was one of the most creative, charismatic and much-in-demand guitarists of the new wave era. He played with, amongst others, Howard Devoto’s Magazine, John Lydon’s PiL and Suzy’s Siouxise And The Banshees. In 1996 he was listed by Mojo Magazine in their ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time‘. Signature characteristics of his playing style included an inventive arpeggios, string harmonics, the uses of flanger and an occasional disregard for conventional scales. He passed away, only 49, in 2004. R.I.P.

McGeoch was born on 28 May 1955. He would have turned 65 today.
To remember this extremely talented musician here are three clips…

With PUBLIC IMAGE LTD – 1988

With MAGAZINE – 1979

With SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES – 1981

Classic Debut ‘REAL LIFE’ By MAGAZINE – Released 1978

Old and new albums to make your day

27 January 2020

Band: Magazine (Manchester / 1977–1981, 2009–2011)

Album: Real Life – their outstanding debut LP

Released: June 1978

Score: Haunting, paranoid and edgy just like real life with several high-quality songs, experimental arrangements and lots of synths. One of the first essential post-punk albums. Frontman Howard Devote looked a bit like an alien and his outlandish voice
and vision were crucial for this record. Musically the late great guitarist John McGeoch was his ideal partner.
Highlights: Shot By Both Sides / My Tulpa / Parade / The Light Pours Out Of Me / The Great Beautician In The Sky

– SHOT BY BOTH SIDES –
(Cutting live version of the track Devoto wrote with the late
Pete Shelley and also appeared on the Buzzcocks debut EP)

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– MY TULPA –


– PARADE –

– THE LIGHT POURS OUT OF ME –

– THE GREAT BEAUTICIAN IN THE SKY –

Album in full…

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MAGAZINE: Facebook


Back sleeve