Rain

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Rain" by The Cult from their 1985 album Love, a track that’s a cornerstone of their early sound. One juicy tidbit about "Rain" comes from its creation process. After the success of "She Sells Sanctuary," producer Steve Brown pushed the band to craft a similar hit. The result was "Rain," driven by Ian Astbury’s sultry vocals and Billy Duffy’s iconic D drone melody, which became a UK Top 40 single, peaking at number 17. Fun fact: an extended remix called "(Here Comes The) Rain" was released, showing off the band’s knack for tweaking their sound for the dance floor. Another quirky moment? During a 1989 Wembley Arena show, Astbury quipped to the crowd after playing "Rain," “So you like that one? Personally, I don’t,” a cheeky jab that’s now part of the song’s lore, captured on the Live Cult album.

Digging deeper, "Rain" was recorded at Jacob’s Studios in Farnham, Surrey, alongside the rest of Love in the summer of 1985. The track features backing vocals from The Soultanas, a trio that added a lush layer to the song’s post-punk swagger. Posts on X from users like @JakeRudh and @soundstoryuk highlight its release on September 27, 1985, as a pivotal moment for the band, cementing its place as a fan favorite. The song’s enduring appeal is evident in its near-constant presence in The Cult’s live sets, a testament to its raw energy and connection with Zoo Freaks vibing to THE ZOO’s eclectic spins.

The Cult started in 1983 in Bradford, England, evolving from Ian Astbury’s earlier band, Southern Death Cult. Astbury, a punk rock kid with a love for Native American imagery, teamed up with guitarist Billy Duffy, whose riffs brought a gritty edge. They bonded over a shared obsession with punk, post-punk, and classic rock like Led Zeppelin, despite the post-punk scene’s disdain for such influences. Their debut album, Dreamtime (1984), leaned into gothic rock, but it was Love that catapulted them to fame, blending psychedelic vibes with hard rock. Astbury’s shamanistic stage presence and Duffy’s searing guitar work defined their early gigs, drawing a cult following in the UK before they cracked the US with later albums like Electric.

You can keep up with The Cult on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and throwbacks. Fans, or Zoo Freaks in spirit, connect on sites like Rate Your Music, where the band’s discography gets dissected. There’s also a vibrant Facebook group for Cult fans, buzzing with discussions about everything from "Rain" to rare live bootlegs. These spots are perfect for diving into the band’s legacy and joining the global tribe of devotees.