caption current_members associated_acts years_active label article_title past_members background genre image origin name
andrew 2009 . eldritch , performing in moscow , russia , andrew eldritch chris catalyst ben christo the sisterhood the mission ghost dance the march violets 1977 -- 93 , 1995 -- present -- 80 , 1981 -- 85 , 1987 merciful release eastwest rhino the sisters of mercy
 see personnel section group_or_band gothic rock post-punk andrew eldritch2009.jpg leeds , west yorkshire , england , uk the sisters of mercy
the sisters of mercy

the sisters of mercy are an english rock band , formed in 1977 in leeds .
after achieving early underground fame in uk , the band had their commercial breakthrough in mid-1980s and sustained it until the early 1990s , when they stopped releasing new recorded output in protest against their record company .
currently , the band is a touring outfit only .
the group has released three original studio albums , of which the last was released in 1990 .
each album was recorded by a different line-up ; singer-songwriter andrew eldritch and the drum machine called doktor avalanche are the only points of continuity among the line-ups .
eldritch and avalanche were also involved in the sisterhood , a side-project connected with eldritch 's dispute with former members .
the group ceased recording activity in 1993 , when they went on strike against their record company time warner , which they accused of withholding royalties and of incompetence .
although time warner eventually let the band go in 1997 , they have not signed to another label , and have chosen not to use an independent label , despite showcasing numerous new songs in their live sets .
since 1985 , when the other original members left , the sisters of mercy has become the artistic vehicle of eldritch .
former members of the group established the bands ghost dance and the mission .
