Siouxsie and the Banshees: Biography, Albums, Essential Songs and Legacy

Siouxsie and the Banshees came out of the first wave of London punk and helped invent post-punk and gothic rock. Fronted by Siouxsie Sioux, with bassist Steven Severin and drummer Budgie, they released a long run of inventive, atmospheric records from 1978 to 1995. They are a post-punk and gothic rock band, with new wave and psychedelic influences.

Siouxsie and the Banshees at a glance

Formed	1976, London, England
Core members	Siouxsie Sioux (vocals), Steven Severin (bass), Budgie (drums, from 1979)
Notable guitarists	John McKay, John McGeoch, Robert Smith of The Cure
Active	1976–1996
Genres	Post-punk, gothic rock, new wave, alternative rock
Label	Polydor

Formation

Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin were part of the early London punk scene and first performed as Siouxsie and the Banshees at the 100 Club Punk Festival in 1976. They signed to Polydor and released the single “Hong Kong Garden” in 1978.

The sound

The Banshees moved quickly beyond punk into something darker and more textured: tribal drumming, inventive guitar parts and Siouxsie’s commanding voice. Guitarist John McGeoch’s work on Kaleidoscope and Juju is especially celebrated.

Siouxsie Sioux

Siouxsie Sioux’s voice, lyrics and striking look made her one of the most influential frontwomen in alternative music. With Budgie she also recorded as The Creatures, and The Cure’s Robert Smith played guitar with the band in 1979 and again from 1982 to 1984.

Legacy

Siouxsie and the Banshees helped lay the foundations of gothic rock and post-punk, and their influence is heard in countless later bands. Their cover of the Beatles’ “Dear Prudence” became their biggest U.K. hit in 1983, and the band split in 1996.

The albums

The Scream (1978) and Join Hands (1979)

The raw post-punk debut and its follow-up.

Kaleidoscope (1980) and Juju (1981)

Their creative peak, with “Happy House”, “Christine”, “Spellbound” and “Arabian Knights”.

A Kiss in the Dreamhouse (1982) and Hyaena (1984)

Lush, psychedelic records, with “Slowdive” and “Dazzle”.

Tinderbox (1986) and Peepshow (1988)

With “Cities in Dust” and “Peek-a-Boo”.

Superstition (1991) and The Rapture (1995)

Later albums, with “Kiss Them for Me”.

Ten songs to start with

1. Spellbound
2. Hong Kong Garden
3. Happy House
4. Christine
5. Arabian Knights
6. Cities in Dust
7. Peek-a-Boo
8. Kiss Them for Me
9. Dear Prudence
10. Israel

Songs we play on The Alternative One

These Siouxsie and the Banshees songs are on our charts and lists:

• “Spellbound”: one of the 100 best alternative rock songs of all time.

If you like Siouxsie and the Banshees, try

The Cure, Joy Division, Echo & the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode, Clan of Xymox and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Frequently asked questions

What genre is Siouxsie and the Banshees?

Siouxsie and the Banshees are a post-punk and gothic rock band, with new wave and psychedelic influences.

Where are Siouxsie and the Banshees from?

London, England. They first performed there in 1976.

What is Siouxsie and the Banshees’ most famous song?

“Spellbound,” “Happy House” and “Hong Kong Garden” are among their best-known songs.

Did Robert Smith play in Siouxsie and the Banshees?

Yes. The Cure’s Robert Smith played guitar with the band in 1979 and again from 1982 to 1984.

When did Siouxsie and the Banshees break up?

The band split in 1996.

About this article: Written and fact-checked by The Alternative One editorial team. Last reviewed November 4, 2026. Read our editorial standards or tell us about a correction.