FOXBORO - It was a flashback to the 1980s Saturday night as The Psychedelic Furs, one of the most influential alternative rock bands to come out of that decade, took the stage at Showcase Live at Patriot Place.

The post punk/new wave band from London impacted Nirvana, among others, with frontman Richard Butler, who turned 53 Friday, and his distinctive hoarse voice the face of the band.

Opening up with "Goodbye" off 1982's "Forever Now," saxophone player Mars Williams, who sizzled, picked up the clarinet for "Like a Stranger."

Williams switched back to sax for the introduction to "Heartbeat" off 1984's "Mirror Moves."

"I Don't Want To Be Your Shadow" and "My Time" continued the slew of nonhits until "Heaven," also off "Mirror Moves," elicited widespread applause. Original guitarist John Aston used a wing guitar for the latter. "I Wanna Sleep With You" was followed by "No Tears" and "Alive (For Once In My Lifetime)."

A highlight was the stunning beauty, 1984's "Ghost In You," with the sax player shaking a tambourine. The last song before the encore involved a drum solo.

No surprise, "Pretty in Pink," the title track for that 1986 movie that brought The Psychedelic Furs American fame, was in the encore.

"Mr. Jones" and an extended version of "Dumbwaiter," off 1981's "Talk, Talk, Talk," which broke the band into the U.S. market, wrapped the show up.

Unfortunately, two of the group's most well-known numbers, "Love My Way," the band's first U.S. chart single, and "Heartbreak Beat," their biggest Top 40 U.S. hit, didn't make it into the song list.

The band was rounded out with Butler's brother Tim, the band's original bassist, ex-Information Society and World Party keyboardist Amanda Kramer, and drummer Frank Ferrer.

Formed in 1978, The Psychedelic Furs were influenced by The Beatles as well as David Bowie, and Butler has been compared to The Sex Pistols singer Johnny Rotten. The critically acclaimed band is often considered ahead of its time.

STEPHEN PETERSON can be reached at 508-236-0377 or at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.