The Sun (8.19.05)

SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKEND; MUSIC; INTERVIEW; SIOUXSIE SIOUX

SIOUXSIE STILL LIVING THE DREAM

SIOUXSIE SIOUX is the original Queen of Punk whose ferocious vocals earned her legendary status and respect from generations gone by.

Now she's laid-back, chatty and very different to how you'd imagine the lead singer of classic bands Siouxsie And The Banshees and The Creatures would be.

She's also aged a lot better than her punk contemporaries, looking svelte, stylish and well, not really that scary, as we sit and chat about her new DVD Dreamshow.

It's a film of last year's solo Royal Festival Hall dates, backed by a string orchestra and Kodo drummer Leonard Eto.

Siouxsie says: "It was a dream come true. The strings and Leonard Eto made it something I'll never forget."

Combining both Siouxsie And The Banshees plus The Creatures hits such as Dear Prudence, Happy House and Cities In Dust, the show was a one-off that no fan could miss.

Wearing spectacular stage costumes, Siouxsie proved why she remains THE icon of her generation and someone who has never been matched in attitude and style since she burst on to the 100 Club stage in 1976.

She says: "I just wanted to be different. I hated the norm - still do.

"It was great returning to the 100 Club to play a show again last year. It took me right back. I can't compare back then to now as it's really different. I'm just glad that I am still here doing the shows."

With her first solo album in production, Siouxsie is a busy lady but leaving London for France with husband Budgie has made her take control of her life.

"I enjoyed being back in London for the shows but I could never live there again - the noise is deafening. Friends from New York stayed with us in France but they couldn't cope with the silence. But for us and the cats - well, it's just paradise."

Siouxsie will be signing copies of Dreamshow at HMV Oxford Circus on Monday.

Contributed by Jerry Burch.