You’ve probably never heard of them, but you’ll probably soon be singing along to all their songs. The UK’s very own Echo Bunnymen deliver a unique brand of dreamy, shoegazing music that will leave you euphoric. In fact, you’ll soon find yourself wishing that the band would just play on forever. Luckily, they don’t, and you’ll have to wait a whole decade before they come back and visit again. Here’s why you’ll want to hear more from them.
The Music Is Amazing
Let’s be honest, when it comes to truly great music, you don’t always need to be famous or have a worldwide audience to make a difference. The Echo Bunnymen are responsible for some of the greatest songs you’ll ever hear, and they’ve devoted their entire existence to making music that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Every album released by the band leaves you craving more, and it’s easy to see why. Let’s have a quick revisit of their discography.
The band began in the early ’90s, and their debut album, ‘Bunnymen’, was released in 1994. It was a landmark album at the time, and it would stand the test of time as one of the greatest debut albums of all time. It’s hard to put into words just how massive an impact the album had on its listeners, and it spawned a whole subgenre of shoegazing music. For those unaware, shoegazing music is all about creating atmospheres using only guitars and drums, focusing entirely on the instrumentation and the mood rather than the songwriting skill. The genre is usually associated with the early 2000s, but it actually began in the early ’90s, with the debut album from the Godfathers of Grunge, Soundgarden, ‘Outshined’., released in 1992. It featured a track called ‘Black Hole’ by Soundgarden, which would go on to become a huge song throughout the ninties and beyond, especially in Australia.
‘Bunnymen’ kicks off with the title track, which is one of the greatest songs you’ll ever hear. It perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the album, and it has all the elements you look for in a great song. There’s massive, bold drums that pound relentlessly, creating a pounding rhythm that you’ll find yourself wanting to keep up with. The guitar is a classic piece as well, with all the right notes ringing out beautifully and keeping with the theme of the album. The bass is also a massive presence, contributing to the heavy, anthemic effect that the song has. You’ll also find yourself drawn to the song’s music because of its mesmerizing sound; it draws you into its world of blissful guitar riffs and heavy drums, leaving you wanting to find your own release in the form of a cathartic scream.
The album continues with ten more amazing tracks. It would be a perfect shame to stop there, but let’s not forget about the incredible ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Praying Mantis’, either. Both of these tracks are epic in their own right, and they deserve to be heard by everyone. The band has continued to release amazing tracks ever since, with 2019 marking their 25th anniversary. They’ve never really taken a break, and they’ve still been able to keep up their energetic live shows, which is a testament to the power of their music. To celebrate, they’re playing a number of small UK shows in the coming months, which is pretty exciting for their fans.
They’re Better Than Ever
Since their debut, the Echo Bunnymen have become even more successful, releasing a total of seven albums and touring the world, headlining festivals and playing huge sold-out shows. If you’ve never heard of them, it’s probably because they’ve never really stuck out as much as they should have. They’ve always been quite difficult to pin down, but that’s what makes them so amazing. Their music is a mix of many different influences, mainly alternative rock and goth rock, but it also includes blues, jazz, ska and even classical music. It’s hard to put into words just how versatile the band has been, both musically and visually, since they debuted.
The band rose to fame in the UK, but they’ve since become an international sensation, selling out shows in Germany, France, and Japan, as well as the UK. It’s quite an astonishing feat for an unsigned band, never mind one that only really gained attention as a result of being featured on the TV show, ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’. They’ve even gone on to play a number of US festivals, including the infamous Electric Zoo Festival in New York City. The band continues to tour heavily worldwide, with their next show in the UK scheduled for October.
They Have A Lot Of Energy
Anyone who’s ever seen a show by the band has no doubt seen their energy level on stage. They almost always end up dancing, high-fiving and generally having a good time. Sometimes, the sheer excitement of performing can even cause health problems, as was the case with the drummer, Jedediah Bila. In 2019, he had to take a break from touring with the band because of ongoing health issues. After years of relentless touring and shows, it clearly takes its toll on their bodies. They always put on a great show, though, and it’s something you have to try to see for yourself if you haven’t already.
They Have A Sense Of Humor
It wouldn’t be a true celebration of the band’s awesomeness if we didn’t mention their sense of humor. The Bunnymen often say that they make quite a funny band, and they have a lot of fun with what they do. It’s quite an attitude to have for a serious music team, but it certainly makes them stand out. The band likes to joke around a lot on their social media accounts, making fun of themselves and their albums/singles in the process.
The band also has a great relationship with their fans, engaging with them on social media and occasionally even responding to questions and comments directly on their pages. They also regularly meet with members of the public who’ve attended one of their shows, taking time out of their busy schedules to have lengthy chats about music, life, and love.
The Echo Bunnymen are responsible for some of the greatest songs you’ll ever hear. They have a distinctive sound, but it’s also quite unique in its own right. Despite having only been together for a couple of decades, they continue to inspire and amaze new and old fans alike. The music video for their 2019 single, ‘The Hunter’, is a perfect example of their unique style, with an amazing narrative that shows the band discovering a magical forest populated by creatures that look like giant Bugs Bunny rabbits.