Pic by Bridie Main
Original Brum punks CULT FIGURES are back with a new single, video and album.
First formed in 1977 on the same scene that brought us Swell Maps, Spizz Energi and – spectacularly – Duran Duran (whose drummer Roger Taylor once played in the band), Cult Figures released their classic debut single ‘Zip Nolan’ through Swell Maps’ Rather label in 1979, followed by the In Love EP the following year. After that they split until regrouping to record their very long-awaited debut album The 166 Ploughs A Lonely Furrow in 2018.
Since then, the line-up has fluctuated – founding frontman Gary Jones sadly passed away in 2022, although original guitarist Jon Hodgson remains – but the Figures have continued to record, as ever with their first producer, John A Rivers, at Leamington Spa’s Woodbine Street studio. Meanwhile, the resurgence of interest in the era saw the Figures track ‘I Remember’ included on Easy Action Records’ essential West Midlands collection, Unscene: Birmingham Post-Punk 1978-1982.
‘Lunatic Friend’ is taken from Reports Of People, the band’s fourth full-length since reforming in 2013. Guitarist Steve May, one of the band’s three animators, created the eyecatching lyric video.
The band’s first release for new label Precious Recordings Of London, Reports Of People is set for release on 24 April and is available to pre-order now through Bandcamp.
