The Southern Death Cult

The first incarnation of the goth punks and later metal heroes known as the Cult, Southern Death Cult formed in late 1982 near Leeds. Led by Ian Lindsay (later Astbury), and including guitarist David Burrows, bassist Barry Jepson, and drummer Haq Quereshi, the group became a big name in goth rock early in their existence, and released their first single Moya/Fatman in December 1982. Early the following year, Southern Death Cult toured with Bauhaus — on what turned out to be the goth kings' farewell tour — but then abruptly disbanded. Astbury moved on to Death Cult (and later, the Cult) while Burrows, Jepson, and Quereshi became Getting the Fear (later Into a Circle). Beggars Banquet compiled several sessions and outtakes onto a self-titled album, which was released in 1983 and finally issued in the U.S. almost 15 years later.