Editing The Sisters of Mercy (section)

===Early years (1980–1983)===  
The Sisters of Mercy were formed in [[Leeds]], England, in 1980 by [[Gary Marx]] and [[Andrew Eldritch]], driven by their desire to hear themselves on the radio.<ref name=":0" /> In their inaugural year, the band experienced several lineup changes. One early formation included vocalist Keith Fuller and keyboardist Claire Shearsby, who accompanied Eldritch on drums and Marx on guitar. After this lineup disbanded, only Marx and Eldritch remained involved, both taking on vocal duties.<ref name="Life Before Alice" /> During this period, [[Jon Langford]] played keyboard in the band but left due to infrequent attendance at practice.<ref name=":2" />

At the end of 1980, the single "Damage Done/Watch/Home of the Hit-men" was recorded and released.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/21215-sisters-of-mercy-leeds-andrew-eldritch-interview|title=Life Before Alice: Andrew Eldritch, Leeds & The Birth of The Sisters of Mercy|last=Andrews|first=Mark|date=17 November 2016|newspaper=The Quietus|access-date=2016-11-19}}</ref> On this single, Marx played guitar through a practice amplifier while Eldritch played drums, which he had purchased from Langford.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://clrvynt.com/jon-langford-interview/|title=The Mekons' Jon Langford on His Brief Sisters of Mercy Stint|website=CLRVYNT|date=14 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-19}}</ref> Each member contributed to the songwriting: Eldritch penned "Damage Done," while Marx wrote "Watch".<ref name=":1" /> The band's name was inspired by [[Robert Altman]]'s film ''[[McCabe & Mrs. Miller]]'' (1971), which featured [[Leonard Cohen]]'s song "Sisters of Mercy" from his album ''[[Songs of Leonard Cohen]]'', as they believed that "[calling ourselves] the Captains of Industry wouldn't have been as funny".<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-01-20 |title=The Sisters of Mercy Announce First Los Angeles Show in over 14 Years |url=https://post-punk.com/the-sisters-of-mercy-announce-first-los-angeles-show-in-14-years/ |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Post-Punk |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band later regrouped with [[Craig Adams (musician)|Craig Adams]] on bass, while Eldritch's drumming was replaced by a [[drum machine]], allowing him to focus solely on vocals. The drum machine was named "Doktor Avalanche," a title that continued with its numerous successors. Eldritch assumed responsibilities for lyric writing, Doktor programming, and record production, while co-writing the music with Marx and, occasionally, Adams.

This lineup is generally recognized as the first definitive Sisters formation. It commenced with the Doktor/Eldritch/Marx/Adams incarnation of the band performing a gig at the Riley Smith Hall of the [[Leeds University Union]] building in early 1981. Since the exact date remains unrecorded, for historical purposes, both the band and fans often celebrate the anniversary of the concert on 16 February 1981 at [[Alcuin College]], [[York]], which marked the band's second performance;<ref name=":2" /> however, during this time, the band cycled through two additional members: guitarists Tom Ashton and Dave Humphrey.<ref name="Quietus" /> Later in 1981, Ben Gunn was recruited as the Sisters' second guitarist. Eldritch's melancholic [[baritone]], Craig Adams's pulsating bass, Doktor Avalanche's beat, and Marx's flowing guitar contributed to the band's early underground success. In 1982, the band recorded the "Body Electric" b/w "Adrenochrome" single for the CNT label.<ref name=":2" />

The band's singles regularly featured in UK independent charts, with some being named single of the week in various UK indie magazines. [[John Ashton (guitarist)|John Ashton]] of [[the Psychedelic Furs]] produced the early classic "Alice." ''[[The Reptile House E.P.]]'' exemplifies the Sisters' early work and highlights the maturation of songwriter Eldritch, who wrote, produced, and reportedly played all instruments on the release.

Their live performances included many cover versions; among these was a medley consisting of "[[Sister Ray]]" (by [[the Velvet Underground]]), "Ghostrider" (by [[Suicide (band)|Suicide]]), and "[[Louie Louie]]" (by [[Richard Berry (musician)|Richard Berry]]), which became a live staple. Only four covers, [[the Stooges]]' "1969," [[the Rolling Stones]]' "[[Gimme Shelter]]," [[Hot Chocolate (band)|Hot Chocolate]]'s "[[Emma (Hot Chocolate song)|Emma]]," and [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[Knockin' on Heaven's Door]]," were eventually recorded and released as B-sides on Sisters records.

In late 1983, following the highly successful "Temple of Love" single, the band signed a contract with major record label [[Warner Music Group|WEA]]. Simultaneously, Gunn departed amidst an atmosphere of widespread discontent. Gunn expressed his disagreement with the direction Eldritch was steering the band, which, in Gunn's view, had started as a humorous take on serious rock 'n' roll outfits but had ultimately transformed into one. He also cited personality conflicts with Eldritch as a reason for his exit.