The Jesus & Mary Chain

Scottish fraternal duo The Jesus & Mary Chain were the enfants terribles of the indie world in 1985 and 1986, known as much for their pointed hostility towards the press as for their chaotic and cacophonous sound. The band touched down at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Easter Sunday, 1986, in support of their now-classic debut, “Psychocandy.”

Deirdre met up with the brothers Jim and William Reid backstage for a brief pre-show chat and found all the rumors to be true … although matters weren’t helped by her immediate misidentification of the band’s bassist for their drummer. This tape packs in more squirms per minute — along with charming moments — than perhaps any other interview in her vast catalogue, which may explain why it never went public. An enjoyably juicy episode from the Mary Chain’s earliest days in the U.S.A.