'THE QUARTERDRAWING OF THE DOG' is the additional B-side track of SIOUXSIE & THE BANSHEES hit-single 'CITIES IN DUST' released on Monday, 18 October 1985 in the UK.
Severin: "[…] Don’t ask me – it’s Budgie’s title."
Budgie: "It was probably a reference to the ‘petrified Pompeiian pooch’ featured on the cover of 'CITIES IN DUST' (single), except you’d need a hammer and chisel to divide him up!"
This B-side was written, arranged and produced by the band themselves, and was engineered by Julian Standen. It was recorded on 30 August 1985 at Matrix Studios, London, UK in Steven Severin's absence, who had already flown to Amsterdam on the 28th to commission Chris Kimsey a 12" mix of 'THE SWEETEST CHILL' for possible release as a single.
Severin: "At this point, 'THE SWEETEST CHILL' was earmarked as the third single from 'TINDERBOX' and Polydor had suggested we get Chris Kimsey to remix it. He was working in Holland and couldn’t leave and I was entrusted to go out there to supervise the (mixing) session […]"
During the recording session of the rest three members of the band in London, Severin returned from Amsterdam and played bass on what had already been recorded of the B-side track.
Severin: "[…] I flew back and went straight from the airport to the studio. Budgie and Carruthers had already laid down their parts, so I put down a bass part that went in a slightly ‘sweeter’ direction. Siouxsie added the pretty keyboard melody and we then went for a Phil Spector style chorus […]"
Then they all went to Eel Pie II Studios in Soho, London, UK for the final mix that was done on 03 September 1985.
The result is an atmospheric instrumental piece where, in addition to the guitar work provided by Steven Severin (bass guitar) and John Valentine Carruthers (electric guitar), Siouxsie participates by playing the piano and even a whistle and there’s Budgie’s contribution too, who plays not only the drums but also waterphone, a musical instrument he had previously obtained in Los Angeles, USA.
Siouxsie: "You’ll hear that (instrument) on many science-fiction films."
Budgie: "[…] Still have the waterphone; used it in December 2014 in Paris with CocoRosie."
