Front Row Live Music Pick: The Psychedelic Furs

BOSTON (CBS) -Hooray!! Post-punk superstars, The Psychedelic Furs, are at the Salem Performing Arts at the Catholic Center on May 26.

The Psychedelic Furs were born while England's punk scene was raging in 1977. Frontman Richard Butler's gravelly voice stood out as different form his peers' and it remains the band's signature.

In 1986, they recorded Pretty in Pink for the for the cult status brat pack film of the same name. It became a big hit in the United States, but "The Furs" true power lies in the grooves of their first and self-titled album, especially with the tracks Sister Europe and India. A follow-up album Talk Talk Talk was also a noble effort and contained the solid track President Gas.

The band took a break in the 1990's while Butler worked on his solo project, Love Spit Love, which saw only tepid success. I thought it was a waste of time and a waste of talent.

I saw the "The Furs" early eighties at the Bradford Hotel Ballroom, and the combination of the music and the use of the white footlights to create a spooky effect was intoxicating. It remains one of my top ten gigs of all time.

Here's hoping they can still "bring it." Let's find out together.

See you in the front row for the big Furs show.

Bradley Jay is a long-time talk host, DJ, and musician. Check out Jay Talking Sunday nights at 10 on WBZ NewsRadio 1030. Follow Bradley Jay on Twitter @jaytalkingwbz.