The Cult’s March 5, 2006 legendary performance at Key Club at Morongo showed that the Cult was at the top of their game as they played to a full-house captive audience that was warm and receptive about the unexpected but much appreciative reunion. It wasn’t the first time that The Cult took a four-year break. The same happened when The Cult took their first four-year hiatus from 1995 to 1999 after being together thirteen years. together from the band’s formation in 1982 which started with their first single “Spritwalker” that took The Cult to the top of the charts. Six albums followed; Dreamtime, Love, Electric, Sonic Temple, Ceremony, and Beyond that contained a succession of hits that kept hard-core fans satisfied and enabled The Cult to remain in the lime light and be forgiven even during two four year hiatus periods. While The Cult’s career has been full of success; it hasn’t been without friction and hardship along the way. Any band differences were settled as The Cult reunited in top form for their “A Return to Wild” three week 19 city tour ending their four year break and the rumors that The Cult was finished due to conflict between Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy. Hard-core fans have remained loyal for this tour that screams to the world that they want The Cult back, and The Cult is ready and eager to make a comeback. As front-man Ian Astbury stated, “The eco-world cannot exist without its predators…The Cult needs the world, the world needs The Cult. We never really go away...”
With the enthusiasm of both the band and the crowd, it’s apparent that The Cult has strong comeback potential as they gave an excellent performance. The Cult sold out the Key Club at Morongo which is an amazing piece of art in itself. With four wide screen televisions on the ceiling and smaller screens scattered throughout highlighted with a giant crystal dome ball in the ceiling center, the atmosphere is plush with dark accented lighting with the club having three levels that include the top floor spacious VIP area that has private viewing areas available. Legendary but intimate venues including The Key Club were chosen for this tour as opposed to larger more commercial locations bringing The Cult closer to their hard-core fans which were overjoyed to hear their favorite Cult songs such as “She Sells Sanctuary”, “Wild Flower” and “Fire Women.”
The Key Club at Morongo is getting a name not only for reunion tours but as an additional touring point for major headliners passing through Southern California that’s adjacent to a casino and nearby spa and restaurants that are all part of the larger resort community.
Front-man Ian Astbury, did a solo project and toured with the Doors of the 21st Century (Riders on the Storm), that’s been plagued with lawsuits as the original Doors drummer John Densmore filed suit against founding members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger along with the late Jim Morrison’s estate prompting the name change for legal reasons including possible copyright violation. As a result of the legal problems and the unpopularity move associated with Ian Astbury stepping into Jim Morrison’s shoes, the opportunity for Astbury to step back into The Cult with his tambourine where popular demand directs him, was a welcomed opportunity for Astbury to return where he belongs performing alongside Billy Duffy; guitarist, who has been busy with his own side projects that always return to The Cult’s music. Duffy toured with Dead Men Walking that includes Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats) and Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) that appeared last fall at the Hollywood Key Club on Sunset Boulevard that included Cult classics in the set. Billy Duffy is no stranger to the Hollywood Key Club as he also performed there with Jerry Cantrell (Alice in Chains) in Cardboard Vampyres and was part of the recent Camp Freddy Performance. However, now it’s time for serious business for both Astbury and Duffy, and the forecast is that The Cult will once again become the main commitment for both musicians. With the reunion being an overwhelming success, it’s just a matter of time before album #7 comes out.
Go to www.thecult.us to find out what’s next for The Cult.
For information and directions to the Key Club at Morongo go to www.keyclubmorongo.com and for the Hollywood Key Club on Sunset go to www.keyclub.com.
