''Downside Up'' is a four-disc

box set A box set or (its original name) boxed set is a set of items (for example, a compilation of books, musical recordings, films or television programs) traditionally packaged in a box and offered for sale as a single unit. Music Artists and bands ...

collecting

B-side The A-side and B-side are the two sides of phonograph records and cassettes; these terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or record company ...

s and bonus material from the catalogue of

Siouxsie and the Banshees Siouxsie and the Banshees were a British Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. Q (maga ...

. Also included (on disc four) is '' The Thorn'' EP, originally released in 1984. Most of these songs (only present on these

CDs The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. In August 1982, the first compact disc was manufactured. It was then released in Octo ...

) were classics of the band's live repertoire like "Pulled to Bits", "Eve White/Eve Black", "Red Over White", "I Promise", "Something Blue", "El Día de los Muertos" and "B Side Ourselves". The box set was also released on iTunes.

Reception

The Times ''The Times'' is a British daily national newspaper based in London. It began in 1785 under the title ''The Daily Universal Register'', adopting its current name on 1 January 1788. ''The Times'' and its sister paper '' The Sunday Times'' ...

'' wrote in its review of ''Downside Up'': "Standouts include the spiky 'Drop Dead/Celebration', the sinister 'Eve White/Eve Black' and the chopped up industrial funk of '

Tattoo A tattoo is a form of body modification made by inserting tattoo ink, dyes, and/or pigments, either indelible or temporary, into the dermis layer of the skin to form a design. Tattoo artists create these designs using several tattooing proc ...

'". The reviewer rated the band as one of "the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the

post-punk Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad genre of punk music that emerged in the late 1970s as musicians departed from punk's traditional elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a variety of avant-garde sensibilities and non-r ...

era".Williamson, Nigel
"Siouxsie & the Banshees" ''Downside Up'' review (subscription required
''The Times''. 27 November 2004. ''Stylus'' rated it A saying: "It’s a wonderfully eclectic mixture of fingers-down-a-blackboard avant-punk ('Voices (on the Air)', 'Eve White/Eve Black'),

Creatures Creature often refers to: * An animal, monster, or Extraterrestrial life, alien Creature or creatures may also refer to: Film and television * Creature (1985 film), ''Creature'' (1985 film), a 1985 science fiction film by William Malone * Creat ...

-esque tribal drum-worship ('Sunless'), majestic beauty ('Something Blue', 'Shooting Sun', 'Return'), amusing

experimentation An experiment is a procedure carried out to support or refute a hypothesis, or determine the efficacy or likelihood of something previously untried. Experiments provide insight into cause-and-effect by demonstrating what outcome occurs whe ...

('Slap Dash Snap', '(There's a) Planet in My Kitchen'), linguistic fun ('

Mittageisen "Mittageisen" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It originally appeared on the band's 1978 debut album ''The Scream'' as "Metal Postcard (Mittageisen)"; the track was re-recorded in 1979, this time with the lyrics sung in ...

', ' Il est né, le divin Enfant', 'El Día de los Muertos') and, yes, playfully 'dark' tunes ('Something Wicked (This Way Comes)', 'Are You Still Dying, Darling?')." ''

Record Collector ''Record Collector'' is a British monthly music magazine. It was founded in 1980 and distributes worldwide. History The early years The first standalone issue of ''Record Collector'' was published in March 1980, though its history stretches ba ...

'' praised the box set for its "remarkable diversity, spontaneity and playfulness", saying that there are "No throwaway tracks". Murray Chalmers commented: "'Drop Dead/Celebration' is still a wonderful explosion of bile aimed at their absconded guitarist and drummer, while 'Slap Dash Snap' is prototype

techno Techno is a Music genre, genre of electronic dance music (EDM) which is generally music production, produced for use in a continuous DJ set, with tempo often varying between 120 and 150 beats per minute (bpm). The central Drum beat, rhythm is typ ...

." He underlined the diversity of the material: "on more reflective tracks like 'Sea of Light' and 'Let Go' you feel that here is a group who could go anywhere". He stated that "By CD2 they are firing on all cylinders, a pop group thrillingly ahead of the pack, CD3 is immaculate", and considered the four tracks from ''The Thorn'' that end the box set as an "orchestrated EP of ferocious intensity". ''

Rock Sound ''Rock Sound'' is a British magazine that covers rock music. The magazine aims at being more " underground" and less commercial, while also giving coverage to better-known acts. It generally focuses on pop punk, post-hardcore, metalcore, punk, ...

'' said: "Whilst most bands regard the B-side as an irrelevancy, a dumping ground for throwaway tracks not deemed good enough for proper release, Siouxsie and the Banshees always treated it with respect, an excuse to have fun and experiment." Neil Gardner praised "the sensual menace of 'Tattoo'". ''

Uncut Uncut may refer to: * ''Uncut'' (film), a 1997 Canadian docudrama film by John Greyson about censorship * ''Uncut'' (magazine), a monthly British magazine with a focus on music, which began publishing in May 1997 * '' BET: Uncut'', a Black Enter ...

'' recognized ''Downside Up'' as "an exhaustive and fascinating collection from an astonishing group". ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming, and culture website and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a 'rock inkie', the NME would become a magazine that ended up as a f ...

'' retrospectively wrote in 2009 : "

Manna Manna ( he, מָן, mān, ; ar, اَلْمَنُّ; sometimes or archaically spelled mana) is, according to the Bible, an edible substance which God provided for the Israelites during their travels in the desert during the 40-year period follow ...

from heaven for all Siouxsie and the Banshees obsessives, ''Downside Up'' is a four-CD box set of the band's B-sides and bonus material, including the spellbinding 'Tattoo' and 'Eve White/Eve Black'."

Legacy

Tricky

covered Cover or covers may refer to: Packaging * Another name for a lid * Cover (philately), generic term for envelope or package * Album cover, the front of the packaging * Book cover or magazine cover ** Book design ** Back cover copy, part of ...

"Tattoo" as the opening number of his second solo album ''

Nearly God ''Nearly God'' is the unofficial second album by English rapper and producer Tricky. It was released in February 1996 under the pseudonym "Nearly God", which originated from an interview during which Tricky was asked "so how does it feel to be Go ...

'' (1996). The original version of "Tattoo", sounds like a pre-

trip hop Trip hop (sometimes used synonymously with " downtempo") is a musical genre that originated in the early 1990s in the United Kingdom, especially Bristol. It has been described as a psychedelic fusion of hip hop and electronica with slow temp ...

manifesto with a part of the genre's codes; a sweaty atmosphere, whispered voices, humming basses and sounds of fluffy drums. In 1997,

Massive Attack Massive Attack are an English trip hop collective formed in 1988 in Bristol by Robert "3D" Del Naja, Adrian "Tricky" Thaws, Andrew "Mushroom" Vowles and Grant "Daddy G" Marshall. The debut Massive Attack album '' Blue Lines'' was rele ...

sampled Sample or samples may refer to: Base meaning * Sample (statistics), a subset of a population – complete data set * Sample (signal), a digital discrete sample of a continuous analog signal * Sample (material), a specimen or small quantity of so ...

"Mittageisen" on "Superpredators" for the

soundtrack A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...

of '' The Jackal''. Acts from other genres also selected some of these B-sides. Morrissey played "Eve White/Eve Black" during intermission on his 1997's Maladjusted Tour.

Shirley Manson Shirley Ann Manson (born 26 August 1966) is a Scottish musician and actress. She is best known as the lead singer of the American alternative rock band Garbage. Manson gained media attention for her forthright style, rebellious attitude, and di ...

Garbage Garbage, trash, rubbish, or refuse is waste material that is discarded by humans, usually due to a perceived lack of utility. The term generally does not encompass bodily waste products, purely liquid or gaseous wastes, or toxic waste prod ...

stated that "Drop Dead/Celebration" was one of her favorite tracks. Jenny Lee Lindberg of Warpaint mentioned her liking for "Umbrella", a song recorded in 1985.Kerr, David
"Under the Influence: Warpaint's Jenny Lee Lindberg"
Theskinny.co.uk. 16 March 2015. Retrieved 10 December 2015

Track listing

All songs by Siouxsie and the Banshees except* ;Disc one (1978–1982) # "Voices (on the Air)" (Originally the b-side of " Hong Kong Garden") # "

20th Century Boy "20th Century Boy" is a song by T. Rex, written by Marc Bolan, released as a stand-alone single on 2 March 1973. It entered in the UK Singles Chart at number 3, on 10 March 1973 and peaked three weeks in a row at that position. It stayed ...

"* (

T. Rex ''Tyrannosaurus'' is a genus of large theropod dinosaur. The species ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' (''rex'' meaning "king" in Latin), often called ''T. rex'' or colloquially ''T-Rex'', is one of the best represented theropods. ''Tyrannosaurus'' liv ...

cover) (Originally the b-side of " The Staircase (Mystery)") # "Pulled to Bits" (Originally the b-side of " Playground Twist") # "Mittageisen" (Originally the A-side of "

") # "Drop Dead/Celebration" (Originally the b-side of "

Happy House "Happy House" is a song written by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin and recorded by their band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released as a single in March 1980 by record label Polydor, then later included on the band's third album, ''Kaleid ...

") # "Eve White/Eve Black" (Originally the b-side of "

Christine Christine may refer to: People * Christine (name), a female given name Film * ''Christine'' (1958 film), based on Schnitzler's play ''Liebelei'' * ''Christine'' (1983 film), based on King's novel of the same name * ''Christine'' (1987 fil ...

") # "Red Over White" (Originally the b-side of "

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

") # "Follow the Sun" (Originally the b-side of " Spellbound") # "Slap Dash Snap" (Originally the extra b-side of "Spellbound") # "

Supernatural Thing "Supernatural Thing" is a song recorded by American soul and R&B singer Ben E. King. The single, released in 1975 by Atlantic Records, was a No. 1 hit on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot Soul Singles chart for one week. It also reached No. 5 on the ' ...

"* (

Ben E. King Benjamin Earl King (né Nelson; September 28, 1938 – April 30, 2015) was an American soul and R&B singer and record producer. He is best known as the singer and co-composer of " Stand by Me"—a US Top 10 hit, both in 1961 and later i ...

cover) (Originally the b-side of " Arabian Knights") # "Congo Conga" (Originally the extra b-side of "Arabian Knights") # "Coal Mind" (Originally the b-side of "

Fireworks Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...

") # "We Fall" (Originally the extra b-side of "Fireworks") # "Cannibal Roses" (Originally the b-side of "

Slowdive Slowdive is a British rock band that formed in Reading, Berkshire, in 1989. The band consists of Rachel Goswell on vocals and guitar, Neil Halstead on vocals and guitar, Christian Savill on guitar, Nick Chaplin on bass and Simon Scott on d ...

") # "Obsession II" (Originally the extra b-side of "Slowdive") # "A Sleeping Rain" (Originally the extra b-side of " Melt!") # " Il est né, le divin Enfant"* (traditional 18th century French carol) (Originally the b-side of "Melt!") ;Disc two (1983–1987) # "

" (Originally the b-side of "

Dear Prudence "Dear Prudence" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles from their 1968 double album ''The Beatles'' (also known as "the White Album"). The song was written by John Lennon and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. Written in ...

") # "(There's A) Planet in My Kitchen" (Originally the extra b-side of "Dear Prudence") # "Let Go" (Originally the b-side of " Swimming Horses") # "The Humming Wires" (Originally the extra b-side of "Swimming Horses") # "I Promise" (Originally the b-side of "

Dazzle Dazzle may refer to: * Glare (vision), difficulty seeing in the presence of bright light * Dazzle (fabric), a type of polyester fabric * ''Dazzle'' (manga), a Japanese manga series by Minari Endoh * "Dazzle" (song), a song by Siouxsie & the Ban ...

") # "Throw Them to the Lions" (Originally the extra b-side of "Dazzle") # "An Execution" (Originally the b-side of "

Cities in Dust "Cities in Dust" is a song by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees from their seventh studio album, ''Tinderbox'' (1986). It was released on 18 October 1985 as the album's lead single. Background and composition "Cities in Dust" is a d ...

") # "The Quarterdrawing of the Dog" (Originally the extra b-side of"Cities in Dust") # "Lullaby" (Originally the b-side of " Candyman") # "Umbrella" (Originally the extra b-side of "Candyman") # "Shooting Sun" (Originally the b-side of "

This Wheel's on Fire "This Wheel's on Fire" is a song written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko. It was originally recorded by Dylan and the Band during their 1967 sessions, portions of which (including this song) comprised the 1975 album, ''The Basement Tapes''. The Ba ...

") # "Sleepwalking (On the High Wire)" (Originally the extra b-side of "This Wheel's on Fire") # "She Cracked"* (

The Modern Lovers The Modern Lovers were an American rock band led by Jonathan Richman in the 1970s and 1980s. The original band existed from 1970 to 1974 but their recordings were not released until 1976 or later. It featured Richman and bassist Ernie Brooks w ...

cover) (Originally the extra b-side of "This Wheel's on Fire" 1987 double-pack 7-inch) # "She's Cuckoo" (Originally the b-side of " The Passenger") # "Something Blue" (Originally the extra b-side of "The Passenger") # "The Whole Price of Blood" (Originally the b-side of " Song from the Edge of the World") # "Mechanical Eyes" (Originally the extra b-side of "Song from the Edge of the World") ;Disc three (1988–1995) # "False Face" (Originally the b-side of "

Peek-a-Boo Peekaboo is a form of play primarily played with an infant. Peekaboo may also refer to: Film and television * ''Peekaboo'' (film), a 2011 Australian short film * "Peekaboo" (''Breaking Bad''), a television episode * "Peek-a-Boo" (''Lego Ninja ...

") # "Catwalk" (Originally the extra b-side of "Peek-a-Boo") # "Something Wicked (This Way Comes)" (Originally the b-side of " The Killing Jar") # "Are You Still Dying, Darling?" (Originally the extra b-side of "The Killing Jar") # "El Día de los Muertos" (Originally the b-side of "

The Last Beat of My Heart "The Last Beat of My Heart" is a song written, produced and recorded by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees. It was released in late 1988 as the third and final single from the band's ninth studio album, '' Peepshow''. In 2021, ''Spin'' ...

") # "Sunless" (Originally the extra b-side of "The Last Beat of My Heart") # "Staring Back" (Originally the extra b-side of " Kiss Them for Me") # "Return" (Originally the b-side of "Kiss Them for Me") # "Spiral Twist" (Originally the b-side of "

Shadowtime "Shadowtime" is a song written and recorded by English rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees and produced by Stephen Hague. It was released in 1991 as the second single from the band's 10th studio album, ''Superstition''. Music and reception Th ...

") # "Sea of Light" (Originally the extra b-side of "Shadowtime") # "I Could Be Again" (Originally the b-side of " Face to Face") # "Hothead" (Originally the extra b-side of "Face to Face") # "B Side Ourselves" (Originally the b-side of " O Baby") # " Swimming Horses" (

KROQ Acoustic Christmas Almost Acoustic Christmas is an annual concert run by the Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM. The first show was held in December 1989, though then it was simply called the KROQ Xmas Bash. In 1990 the show became bigger and attracted increasingly ...

, 1991) (Originally the extra b-side of "O Baby") # "

All Tomorrow's Parties "All Tomorrow's Parties" is a song by the Velvet Underground and Nico, written by Lou Reed and released on the group's 1967 debut studio album, '' The Velvet Underground & Nico''. Inspiration for the song came from Reed's observation of Andy War ...

"* (

Velvet Underground Weave details visible on a purple-colored velvet fabric Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word ''velvety'' means " ...

cover) (KROQ Acoustic Christmas, 1991) (Originally the extra b-side of "O Baby") # "Hang Me High" (Originally the b-side of "

Stargazer Stargazer may refer to: * an observational astronomer, particularly an amateur Aerospace * Stargazer (aircraft), a Lockheed L-1011 airliner used to launch the Pegasus rocket * Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2, nicknamed Stargazer, the first ...

") # "Black Sun" (Originally the extra b-side of "Stargazer") ;Disc Four ''The Thorn'' EP (1984) # " Overground" (Originally from '' The Thorn'') # "Voices (on the Air)" (Originally from ''The Thorn'') # "Placebo Effect" (Originally from ''The Thorn'') # "Red Over White" (Originally from ''The Thorn'') Three songs were slightly re-edited for the purpose of the box set. "False Face" has a longer introduction with the first singing line repeated. The first seconds of "Hang Me High" were edited out and "Black Sun" has a remodeled end.

References

{{Authority control B-side compilation albums 2004 compilation albums Siouxsie and the Banshees compilation albums