Wild Things is the first release by British duo the Creatures. It was issued on 25 September 1981 by Polydor Records as two 7" single records in a "double-album" style card cover, and is usually referred to as an EP. It peaked in the UK Singles Chart at No. 24, and the pair performed "Mad Eyed Screamer" on Top of the Pops. The EP was entirely remastered in 1997 and reissued as part of the A Bestiary Of CD compilation.
History
The initial idea for Wild Things, and the Creatures, came about during the recording sessions for the Siouxsie and the Banshees album Juju. While bassist Steven Severin and guitarist John McGeoch took a break, Siouxsie and drummer Budgie created the song "But Not Them." Deciding that it was complete as a drum-and-voice piece, they left it alone, and quickly recorded four more minimal tracks to accompany it. The result was the Wild Things EP. The only cover version on the EP was the Troggs' "Wild Thing"; Siouxsie added extra angry lyrics to the original "Wild thing, I think I hate you/but I wanna know for sure/so come on, hit me hard/I hate you". "So Unreal" drew inspiration from the novelThe Stepford Wives by Ira Levin, and "Mad Eyed Screamer" from local characters met in Hyde Park, London. The duo incorporated the songs "But Not Them", "So Unreal" and "Thumb" into Banshees concerts for many years afterwards. The erotic sleeve art featuring Siouxsie and Budgie half-naked under a shower was inspired by the pictures of Man Ray; the artwork caused some controversy. Another shoot, inspired by the John Millais painting Ophelia, featured the singer naked under many flowers and shallow water.
Legacy
Singer Kate Jackson of the Long Blondes rated "So Unreal" as one of her favourite tracks, saying: "Siouxsie sharp lyrics and staccato vocals. Budgie is one of the most interesting drummers in the world. He uses drum sounds melodically as well as rhythmically which makes this drum/vocal duo work. You can hear their passion for each other in these recordings, they are so alive, despite being so minimal". David Cheal of the Financial Times wrote about the Creatures' rendition of "Wild Thing": "Perhaps the most striking of those 7,500-odd licensed recordings is on which Siouxsie’s chilly multitracked vocals are accompanied only by Budgie's tribal-sounding drums. It’s a version that taps into the earthy, elemental spirit of the song, channelling those few minutes back in 1964 when Chip Taylor lost himself in the darkness of a New York studio".
Track listing
All songs written and composed by Siouxsie and Budgie, except track 4 composed by Chip Taylor.
