Career Ian McCulloch (singer)

mcculloch in amsterdam in 2006



ian mcculloch echo & bunnymen @ festival internacional de benicàssim 2016

mcculloch singer-songwriter crucial three, 1 of many local bands sprung amongst regulars patronised liverpool club called eric s in late 70s. other 2 members julian cope , pete wylie went on form wah!. band existed between may , june 1977, , never got beyond rehearsals. in july 1978, along future members of teardrop explodes – cope, mick finkler , paul simpson – , drummer dave pickett, mcculloch formed shallow madness. again band did not perform or record, acoustic version of band, under name uh , played live twice. band split in september 1978.

in october 1978, mcculloch founded echo & bunnymen sergeant (guitar), les pattinson (bass), , drum machine (allegedly named echo), making live début @ eric s in november year. in october 1979 bunnymen exchanged drum machine pete de freitas on drums. line solidified, bunnymen played in late 1970s , 1980s, releasing critically praised, first 2 albums, doors influenced crocodiles in 1980 , heavier, bass driven, heaven here in 1981. released third album porcupine in 1983 lead single cutter finishing in top 10 of uk charts. ocean rain followed in 1984. shortly before album released, mcculloch described ocean rain greatest album ever made . mcculloch later said: when sing killing moon know there isn t band in world s got song anywhere near that.

in 1988, mcculloch left group pursue solo career under impression bunnymen laid rest, if temporarily. when remaining bunnymen continued using name new singer noel burke, split became permanent mcculloch referring band echo & bogusmen .

in 1990, mcculloch released album candleland reflected more mature outlook on world, owing recent deaths of mcculloch s father , pete de freitas, , peaked @ number 18 in uk albums chart. yielded 2 modern rock tracks hits, proud fall (no. 1 4 weeks) , faith , healing . album mysterio released in 1992 public s interest in former bunnyman waning , sold less predecessor. shortly after, mcculloch left public eye devote more time family.

in 1993, mcculloch partnered johnny marr of smiths, writing album s worth of material , generating public excitement on collaboration of 2 highly regarded artists. mcculloch has credited marr helping him regain lost confidence , rejuvenating desire create music. when suggested sergeant brought in work on songs, tapes allegedly stolen courier van preventing sergeant offering input.

the rekindling of relationship between mcculloch , sergeant led formation of electrafixion in 1994. band released album burned peaked @ number 38 in uk , included top-30 hit sister pain . band found performing set lists composed of half electrafixion songs , half echo & bunnymen songs.

in 1997, echo & bunnymen reformed , released album evergreen positive reviews , chart success. evergreen made top 10 of uk albums chart , single nothing lasts forever reached no. 8 on uk singles chart. reformed bunnymen have since several further albums, recent being meteorites released in 2014.

at height of bunnymen s popularity, mcculloch earned nickname mac mouth due penchant witty, blunt criticism of artists deemed inferior, while proclaiming bunnymen s superiority. targets of observations included bono of u2 , julian cope. more recently, in 2011, mcculloch said of bono: had been in liverpool, have been laughed out of place. u2 have never been liked in liverpool. know fake when see one. mcculloch said during 1980s, bono told him bunnymen break america if toured there 3 months. mcculloch said: 3 months? can t spent 3 minutes in birkenhead without going daft, let alone america.

in 1998, mcculloch teamed spice girls, tommy scott of space, , simon fowler of ocean colour scene england united record top of world , official song team england in 1998 fifa world cup, although fared less reissue of 3 lions . enjoyed more success working mentor coldplay during recording of 2002 album rush of blood head.

in 2003, mcculloch released third solo album slideling , undertook solo tour in support of album.

mcculloch has been lifetime supporter of liverpool f.c. in 2006 took part in recording team s anthem bootroom allstars – remake of johnny cash song, ring of fire , , on judging panel music competition pringles unsung.

in 2010, mcculloch featured in guest role on song kind of nothingness manic street preachers tenth album postcards young man.

in 2012, mcculloch released solo lp, pro patria mori , live album holy ghosts in 2013.

in october 2017, mcculloch featured on norwegian band a-ha s acoustic album, mtv unplugged – summer solstice , singing scoundrel days , killing moon . performance recorded @ giske island in norway in june 2017.