Echo & the Bunnymen are a Liverpool formed alternative rock band originally consisting of band members Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson. Within 2 years of forming, the band acquired a new member by the name of Pete de Freitas who was the drummer in the line up.
Their first album release was in 1980 and the album was called Crocodiles, which made an impressive top 20 slot in the UK charts at the time.
Between 1980 and 1987 Echo & the Bunnymen released a number of singles and albums including Heaven Up Here and Porcupine, however, come 1987 Ian McCulloch had decided to leave the band to pursue a solo career in which he did so in 1988. In 1989 Pete de Freitas was killed in a road accident which meant changes had to be made. Original band members Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson were joined by lead singer Noel Burke and drummer Damon Reece with Jake Brockman joining later on to man the keyboards.
However, under intense criticism after releasing an album called Reverberation in 1990 it lead to a complete split of the band in 1993.
It wasn’t until 1997 that original Echo & the Bunnymen band members Ian McCulloch, Will Sergeant and Les Pattinson reformed to release the single Nothing Lasts Forever which cemented a place in the top 10 of the UK charts at the time. Later, they produced an album of brand new material called Evergreen which was a big hit with the fans and meant that a welcomed return to the live arena was on the cards.
Shortly after, Les Pattinson decided to leave Echo & the Bunnymen for the 2nd time but Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant have allowed the band name to remain intact by releasing successful new material under the name Echo & the Bunnymen. Recent albums include Flowers in 2001, Siberia which was released in 2005 and The Fountain was released in 2009.
In September 2009, former band member Jake Brockman who was a motorcycle enthusiast, died on the Isle of Man while visiting for the Manx Grand Prix. The motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a converted ambulance.