Siouxsie and the Banshees “Join Hands” 1979. Today, May 27th, is Siouxsie Sioux’s birthday (b. Susan Ballion, 1957). Join Hands was the Banshees’ second album and a fitting pull for today, Memorial Day. The tracks were inspired by the horrors of World War I and the themes of war and the loss of life in battle permeate the LP, starting with the opening track “Poppy Day,” the poppy being, of course, a symbol of wartime remembrance.  The lyrics to “Poppy Day” are based on the poem “In Flanders Field” by John McCrae from 1915, written to commemorate the loss of a friend in World War I. Then there is the track “Regal Zone” about the late 70′s Middle East/Iran conflict, “Premature Burial” (self-explanatory) and “The Lords Prayer” which the Banshees premiered back in ‘76 at the 100 Club Punk Special concert (that included performances by The Clash, Sex Pistols and Subway Sect; here is a link to the performance – it’s really crappy quality but that seems fitting) when the members of the band barely knew how to play. I also particularly like the song “Icon” – huge, gothically anthemic – and “Playground Twist” which the Banshees released as the sole single from Join Hands; it hit #28 on the UK charts.