1981,
the band recruits Craig Adams to play bass. Gary concentrates on guitar, leaving Andrew to vocals. The band makes their live debut on February 16th. By the end of 1981, Ben Gunn is added as a second guitarist.
1982
The band releases their second record, "Body Electric/Adrenochrome," gains positive reviews in the UK and becomes single of the week in Melody Maker.
1983
SOM releases a new single, "Anaconda/Phantom." The twelve inch EP, "Alice/Floorshow/Phantom/1969" is the first Sisters of Mercy album released in the States. The Sisters come out with
a three-track single in October. "TEMPLE OF LOVE" is in every respect a monster. Backed with "HEARTLAND" and "GIMME SHELTER", it is destined to be their last independently released record.
1984
Wayne Hussey joins the band, concentrating on acoustic and twelve-string guitars. The Sisters sign with WEA and record "Body and Soul/Train/Body Electric/Afterhours", a four-track single described by Andrew as "a vision of heaven with everyone on speed." The band travels to New York to play two sold out dates. The Sisters' European audience continues to grow, particularly in Germany and the UK. "Walk Away/Poison Door/On the Wire" is released.
1985
The band releases "No Time to Cry/Blood Money/Bury Me Deep," another single. They begin the "Tune In, Tune On, Burn Out" tour in March. Gary Marx announces his departure from the band. "First, Last, and Always" is released and still viewed as a collection of classic songs. The Sisters stage an end-of-tour concert in July at London's Royal Albert Hall. Andrew is expected to leave the stage with his usual "Goodnight," but tonight, departs by saying "Goodbye" as this will be The Sisters' first and last filmed performance. The Sisters of Mercy do not perform live again for five years.
1986
Wayne Hussey leaves the band, taking with him Craig Adams. They being a new band, "The Sisterhood" sparking a depute over the name. It is decided Wayne and Craig have legal right to use this name. Merciful Release unleashes "Giving Ground," which quickly tops independent charts. The album "Gift" follows quickly. Performed by a loose coalition of forces allied to Merciful Release, but written by Andrew Eldritch. As they write his cheque, RCA was left pondering the exact meaning of the opening line "two five zero zero zero ...jihad!" RCA dropped Andrew after this release. Andrew was in Hamburg, Germany at this time. The German word for "poison" is "gift."
1987
"This Corrosion/Torch/Colours" was released by WEA. The single enters the UK Top Ten and becomes the #1 alternative record in the US. The band recruites Pamela Morrison, and does not plan to expand any further. On TV screens all over the planet, the torrential rain of "This Corrosion" sets the pace for a series of spectacular videos. "Floodland" is released in November.
1988
A dramatic video set in the ancient Jordanian city of Petra heralds "Dominion/ Emma" which charts at number 13 in the UK.
1989
A compilation video, "Shot," is issued, featuring the three singles from "Floodland" and an additional clip of "1959" which was filmed in India during the shooting of "Lucretia My Reflection". Incidentally, "1959" is still the only Sisters video produced and directed by Andrew Eldritch, and the absence of anybody else's
agenda makes it different from (and better than) all the others ....although it can be remarked of the later videos that "Doctor Jeep" is funny, "Detonation Boulevard" is eminently watchable, and Eldritch is a enuine love-god in "Under The Gun".
1990
Guitarist Andreas Bruhn joins the band. Tony James
replaces Patricia Morrison. Guitarist Tim Bricheno completes the line-up. "Vision Thing" is released in November. There is far less emphasis on the layering of sound which characterised the previous Sisters album. "More/You Could Be the One" is released as a single. The Sisters of Mercy top the charts once again, particularly in Germany. The band plays surprise concerts in Ireland. The band tours Europe beginning with a two nights at London's Wembley Arena.
1991
When You Don't See Me/Ribbons/Something Fast" is
released as a single in Germany. A North American tour opens on March 25th in Ontario. The first concert sells out in two hours. Another trip to northern Europe follows in April and May, Poland and Hungary fall to the Sisters before an arena-tour of Germany. The band returns to the States for an arena-tour on which they are supported by Public Enemy. By the time the tour starts some promoters have unfortunately decided that a mixed-race audience is a dangerous thing. Radio City Music Hall is sold out, but the authorities in Detroit
refuse to allow a concert to take place at all.
1992
A complimation of early materials is released, "Some Girls Wander By Mistake." "Temple of Love (1992) is released as a single. This single becomes SOM's biggest international hit so far. Bricheno and Bruhn initiate solo projects, and the band takes a sabbatical break.
1993
SOM tours with Depeche Mode in the summer. A greatest hits collection, "A Slight Case of Overbombing," is released. A single featuring new guitarist Adam Pearson "Under the Gun/Alice (1993)" is released simultaneously, and assumes its automatic place in the top ten. At the end of the year, The Sisters tour Germany with The Ramones.
1994-1995
Andrew is argueing with East West recording company. Since "Vision Thing" the band have been "seriously underwhelmed".
1996
Guitarist Chris Sheehan joins the band. Ravey Davey starts playing nurse with the Doktor as The Sisters Of Mercy swing into another summer of festival appearances in Europe.
1997
The Sisters of Mercy begin summer tour named "Distance Over Time" and consists of 11 dates.
1998
SOM begins another summer tour, consisting of 18 dates, called "Event Horizon." A new release is on the steps but the Sisters "lack an American distributor and a record label with lots of cash".
