Are the Cult Actually Glam?

The Cult are often lumped into the Glam category. I don't really think this band is Glam -- more like hard rock. This isn't to say they are not good, but I must admit their songs are quite repetitive. During the endless speculation about which bands would be playing Rocklahoma, people kept mentioning the Cult. I mean, I think the Cult certainly deserve a spot at Rocklahoma more so than half the bands on the current bill, but the choice still surprises me.

XM The Boneyard program director Kevin Kash must really love the Cult, because that band is on constantly. I swear, I hear a Cult song every day during my lunch break. I don't mind the Cult - but the Glam mistress also likes a little variety in her diet. 

I've never seen the band live and I would love to interview lead singer Ian Astbury. Of course, he's notoriously picky, so I am sure no question I asked would be good enough for him. Here are some of my favorite Cult tunes.

Here's "Fire Woman."

Here's "She Sells Sanctuary."

So, are the Cult Glam...or something else?

Comments

[Christian]

I don't think much about who is glam and who is metal. I like the cult. Whatever label applies to them, I like it at least sometimes.

[BillyKiss]

Yeah I agree with you Christan but some of their earlier tunes sound alot like AC/DC to me especially the material from their album "ELECTRIC".

[Joe]

I saw a special on the cult on VH1 and I was surprised they were actually once a punk band..The Cult do rock..Allyson..yes..Boneyard plays them alot!!..HAHA!!!

[don]

glam? no. hair metal? perhaps. hard rock? yes. extremely good? in my opinion oh yes. i don't really get the ac/dc comparison nor do i feal they are repetitive either. if they were playing rocklahoma this year i would be there. as allyson said, they are much better than half of the bands on the bill (at the very least).

[MotleyCrue666]

I think they are more of and Aerosmith AC/DC type band but i would classify them under hair metal which would lead to Glam Metal

[Valentine]

Not glam but they do rock. Billy has a great image.

[aXe mAn]

I never considered them "glam"...just a great hard rock band. Their '88 release, "Sonic Temple" is my favorite.

[lesh]

I was thinking about this last night actually. I have a "goth" CD compilation with "She Sells Sanctuary" on it. Seems like most bands with a flamboyant lead singer that wears scarves and eyeliner seem to be lumped in either category. I suppose it depends on the style of the music, or the attitude, or the content of the lyrics, the people that direct their videos, and especially the audience that finds something of worth in them. It's not really likely the toothless hillbilly that frequents your local dive is an appreciative of The Cult, albeit being a "hard rock" band. If you dressed Ian Astbury in ripped jeans and plaid, I'm sure they'd have a different audience entirely. Image is king, sadly.

[Brandon]

I agree with aXe mAn. They are a great hard rock band and Sonic Temple is great.

[Kenny Ozz]

The Cult are a great band, well, they WERE a great band. Their newest album is an embarrasment and they were absolutely horrid when I saw them at Bogarts in Cincinnati last fall. But definately pick up their release from 2001 "beyond good and evil" is aguably their best effort.

[don]

they did start out in their early days asa goth band and after doing she sells sanctuary they moved completely in the hard rock vein. there was an article with billy duffy in classic rock magazine recently and he discussed how it came to be.

[tommydahl]

the cult rock end of story

[The Tenacious Topher-Man]

IMO they're a mix of alt.-rock, goth, glam & hard-rock with a metal edge. They fit the former two genres more closely in the mid-'80s. The ladder ones in the late-'80s-early-'90s. Post Ceremony I haven't followed them.

[Mrlee]

i wouldnt say they wree strictly glam. Ive always classed them as a good fuckin hard rock band.

(one of my favourites in fact)

[Railene]

The Cult rock!! Would love to see them again and they are worthy of a Rocklahoma slot! Who cares about what classification a band falls under? It's pretty simple - does the band rock?

[Sixxter]

The Cult hasn't got any connections with Glam Rock..only thing The Cult and Glam have in common 're the 80's..at the beggining they sounded and looked like a New Wave band ..later their sound sharpened ..but Cult is Rock..Not glam,not new wave..Cult plays Rock their own way ;)