Some bands are defined by a mantle covered with hardware and a résumé chockfull of top 10 albums and singles. Other bands are defined by old-fashioned hard work—the kind that sustains a 30-year career, builds a loyal, global following and engenders respect from peers. Echo & The Bunnymen, an English rock band that formed in 1978, certainly slots into the latter category.
The Bunnymen’s mantle is bereft of Grammy Awards and the like; they’ve never so much as cracked the top 50 on the U.S. album charts; and their highest charting single in America peaked at No. 138. But that hasn’t stopped the band—led by founding members Ian McCulloch (vocals, guitar) and Will Sergeant (guitars)—from churning out a dozen albums since 1980 and consistently taking that music on the road with a revolving cast of touring musicians. Proof positive of The Bunnymen’s work ethic and wide-ranging appeal: Just since mid-May, they’ve played festivals in France, Spain and their homeland of the U.K., followed by a 20-city, co-headlining North American tour with the Violent Femmes.
For Echo & The Bunnymen, this tour is yet another chance to give their fans more than their money’s worth—an approach other bands would be wise to embrace.
Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq, 8 p.m. July 28, starting at $37.50 plus fee, 18+. 702.862.2695
