Love Removal Machine

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as the Zoo Crew spins "Love Removal Machine" by The Cult from their iconic album Electric! This track, released as the lead single in February 1987, is a high-octane anthem that marked a pivotal shift for the band. Frontman Ian Astbury once described the song as "like getting on your favorite motorcycle," capturing its raw, exhilarating energy. In a Songfacts interview, Astbury revealed that the phrase "Love Removal Machine" just came to him, reflecting the song’s spontaneous, visceral vibe. He also noted the heavy influence of AC/DC, with producer Rick Rubin blasting Back in Black in the studio daily, shaping the track’s stripped-down, elemental rock sound.

The song’s journey to its final form is a story of reinvention. Originally recorded for an album called Peace, which the band scrapped after feeling it lacked punch, "Love Removal Machine" was reimagined under Rubin’s guidance in New York. According to Astbury, Rubin showed them a Blue Cheer video and pitched a more direct, hard-hitting sound, to which Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy enthusiastically agreed. This overhaul transformed the track into a riff-driven powerhouse, with Duffy’s Gibson Les Paul and Marshall amp delivering a gritty edge, as he explained in a Wikipedia entry. The song’s main riff even sparked comparisons to The Rolling Stones’ "Start Me Up," earning it a spot as the 74th best hard rock song on VH1’s list.

Another tidbit for the Zoo Crew: the song’s recording wasn’t without its quirks. The band’s time at the Manor Studios in Oxfordshire for the initial Peace sessions was, in Astbury’s words, a booze-fueled mess, costing £250,000 and yielding an album that “sounded like soup.” Rubin’s no-nonsense approach—no guitar effects except a wah-wah pedal, as Duffy recalled—brought clarity to the chaos. Posts on X from music enthusiast Jake Rudh highlight the song’s enduring appeal, noting its release as a landmark moment for Electric. An extended remix of the track was also released on a 12" single, giving fans a longer ride on this sonic machine.

The Cult began in 1983 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, evolving from the ashes of Ian Astbury’s earlier band, Southern Death Cult. Astbury, inspired by 1960s and 1970s icons like Led Zeppelin and The Doors, formed the group with a post-punk and gothic rock edge. Initially called Death Cult, the band dropped “Death” in 1984 to avoid being pigeonholed as a goth act, as noted in a Amazon bio. Astbury teamed up with guitarist Billy Duffy, formerly of Theatre of Hate, and their chemistry became the band’s backbone. Their debut album, Dreamtime (1984), featured the single "Spiritwalker," which hit No. 1 on the UK Indie Chart, signaling their potential.

The Cult’s breakthrough came with their second album, Love (1985), powered by the hit "She Sells Sanctuary," which peaked at No. 15 in the UK. By the time Electric dropped in 1987, the band had relocated to Los Angeles, embracing a harder, more traditional rock sound that resonated with American audiences. Despite lineup changes—drummer Nigel Preston left in 1985, and bassist Jamie Stewart later switched to rhythm guitar—Astbury and Duffy remained the creative core. Their ability to blend post-punk mystique with hard rock swagger set them apart, earning them a dedicated following, as detailed in a Heavy Metal Wiki entry.

Zoo Freaks can connect with The Cult through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwback posts. Fans also gather on sites like DaveGott.com, a fan page with detailed album info, and in the The Cult Fanpage on Facebook, a vibrant community for sharing memories and news. So, keep those dials locked on THE ZOO, and let "Love Removal Machine" fuel your rock ‘n’ roll soul!