For bandmates Astbury and Duffy, it’s magical

The Cult agreed to headline the Jagermeister tour.

By JOHN BENSON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

The Cult is back.

However, the truth is many fans may not have known the group was even gone. Though the Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy-led band has had its share of hiatuses over the past two decades, there’s something magical about these two bandmates that apparently can’t be replicated with anyone else.

Astbury most recently fronted The Doors of the 21st Century, which featured Doors members Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek.

“It’s a surprising relationship,” said Duffy, calling from a tour stop in New Hampshire. “I guess most people would have thought we’d be done by now, but we actually get along pretty good. I don’t know what it is. There is a certain magic. I don’t know how or why and can’t really define it myself.

“There’s just something between us, the way I play and the way he sings. It’s pretty enduring. We’ve been doing this a while now, and either we’ve been very lucky for 20-odd years, or there might be something there.”

As instantly recognizable as, say, AC/DC, The Cult recently released its eighth studio effort “Born Into This,” which further explores its goth, alt and hard rock roots.

This is evident on the lead single “Dirty Little Rockstar.”

“I’m of the opinion that while all of our albums have similarities, they’re all quite different sonically,” Duffy said.

“Not many of them have been done close together, so I think they’re different and this one has its own story to tell. We haven’t tried to experiment with glockenspiels and recording whales underwater.”

What is different about The Cult these days is the fact the act has agreed to headline the Jägermeister tour, which in past years has featured a decidedly heavier headliner.

That list includes Slayer, Slipknot and more.

Duffy agrees that the tour is unique in the fact that The Cult never accepts package bill offers.

Apparently, this time the deal was too sweet to pass up.

“It’s the Jager tour, but it’s basically a Cult tour in partnership with Jager,” Duffy said.

“We’re pushing the beverage and they’re pushing the band. But I think the Jager tour is trying to change, and perhaps they’re using The Cult as a vehicle to cross over and try to get Jägermeister to a slightly less metal audience. They sought us out and were after us to do this.

“And this was obviously a great financial opportunity for The Cult. It allows us to be more heavily marketed and to play more cities. It’s a different world we live in, so if Bob Dylan can sell Cadillacs, I don’t have a problem doing the Jager tour.”

Aside from newer material and The Cult classics (“She Sells Sanctuary,” “Love Removal Machine” and “Fire Woman”), Duffy said the group has culled its catalog for a few album gems that may entice diehard fans to attend its upcoming show Wednesday at the House of Blues.

That list includes “Horse Nation,” “Nirvana” and “Electric Ocean.”

Though all appears to be well and good for The Cult in 2007, one must question its future.

What remains uncertain is whether the current rekindling of creativity and music between Duffy and Astbury will last beyond this tour.

“Hope so, because I’m in,” Duffy said.

“That’s more a question for Ian, but he seemed to come to the realization that this is what he does, and we’re going to do as much as we can. I think he’s in that place, so that’s a great thing.”