Ian Astbury Rides Out Of The Storm To Re-energize The Cult

02/20/07 6:30pm

Jeff Martin's dream job just became available.

Ian Astbury is leaving Riders On The Storm — the band he's performed in with Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek and guitarist Robby Krieger for the past four years — to focus his attention back on The Cult.

"I have decided to move on and focus on my own music and legacy," Astbury said in a statement about his failure to adequately fill the late Jim Morrison's shoes as The Doors frontman.

"I have learned a great deal from the both of them, and it certainly has expanded my abilities as a performer. This has been a difficult decision to make but I feel I would be holding them back as well as myself if I did not depart at this time."

Astbury plans on working with guitarist and longtime collaborator Billy Duffy to try and resurrect The Cult into something more viable than a nostalgia act. The band, who played four Canadian shows last May, have compiled a live DVD that's tentatively scheduled for an April release and are working on material for a new album.

Despite Manzarek and Krieger being in their 60s, they plan to keep on performing and are looking for a new singer. We've got a tip for them. There's a shamanistic vocalist who released a solo debut album last year to little acclaim who may be prepared to come out of his Irish exile to don some leather and sing "The End." Perhaps Manzarek and Krieger should have some tea with him and find out.