The Sisters of Mercy

This article is about the rock band. For the religious organisation, see Sisters of Mercy. For other uses, see Sisters of Mercy (disambiguation).

The Sisters of Mercy
The Sisters of Mercy performing on the main stage of Spirit of Burgas, Bulgaria, August 2008
The Sisters of Mercy performing on the main stage of Spirit of Burgas, Bulgaria, August 2008
Background information
OriginLeeds, West Yorkshire, England
Genres
Years active
  • 1980–1985
  • 1987–present
Labels
Spinoffs
Members
Past members(see members)
Websitewww.the-sisters-of-mercy.com

The Sisters of Mercy are an English rock band formed in Leeds in 1980.[6] After achieving early underground fame, the band experienced a commercial breakthrough in the mid-1980s, sustaining their success until the early 1990s, when they halted the release of new records in protest against their record company, WEA. Currently, although the band operates primarily as a touring outfit, they continue to perform new and unreleased music live.[7]

The group has released three original studio albums: First and Last and Always (1985), Floodland (1987), and Vision Thing (1990). Each album was recorded by a different line-up; singer-songwriter Andrew Eldritch and the drum machine known as Doktor Avalanche are the only constant elements throughout. Eldritch and Avalanche were also involved in the Sisterhood, a side project linked to Eldritch's disputes with former members.

The Sisters of Mercy ceased recording activity in the early 1990s when they went on strike against East West Records, whom they accused of incompetence and withholding royalties, while pressuring the group to release at least two more studio albums. Instead, the label released the album Go Figure under the name SSV in 1997. Although the Sisters of Mercy were eventually released from their contract with East West, they have never signed with another label nor released any new material. They have continued to perform new songs live.

Former members of the group went on to establish the bands Ghost Dance and the Mission.

  1. ^ Huey, Steve. Sisters of Mercy Archived 23 November 2022 at the Wayback Machine. AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2015
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin (2011). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0857125958.
  3. ^ Campbell, Michael (2012). Popular Music in America:The Beat Goes On. Cengage Learning. ISBN 978-0840029768.
  4. ^ "The Sisters of Mercy - Geen genade | daMusic". daMusic Online Muziek Magazine. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  5. ^ "The Sisters Of Mercy (UK)". Salzhaus.ch.
  6. ^ Huey, Steve. "The Sisters of Mercy | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  7. ^ "THE SISTERS OF MERCY to Embark on Fall N. American Tour with Blaqk Audio". Broadway World. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.