Friday, April 13, 2018

'Mixed Up' & 'Torn Down' pre-orders now on Universal's Cure store


'Mixed Up' and 'Torn Down' CD, vinyl, and box set pre-orders have been added to the Universal Cure store. Thanks, Benj.
Posted by Craig at 12:41 PM

The Cure announce details of ‘Mixed Up’ and ‘Torn Down’ deluxe editions


From NME:

Get ready for 16 new remixes from Robert Smith

The Cure have announced details of the upcoming deluxe editions of ‘Mixed Up’ and ‘Torn Down’ – with new mixes. Check out the epic tracklist along with Robert Smith’s new remix of ‘Want’ below.

‘Torn Down’ serves as a sequel to The Cure’s Record Store Day release – a vinyl reissue of the band’s 1990 remix album, ‘Mixed Up’. Remixed by Smith himself and available across multiple formats, the release includes Cure classics such as ‘Lullaby’, ‘Close to Me’, ‘Pictures of You’, ‘Lovesong’, and ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’.

On ‘Mixed Up’, Smith singled out Brian ‘Chuck’ New’s dub style remix of ‘Pictures Of You’ as the muse for the record’s bold and adventurous direction.

“That mix turned the music on its head, but at the same time left the essential heart of the song intact,” he said. “As soon as I heard it, I updated the entire ‘Mixed Up’ plan. My revised ambition was to compile an album that was contemporary without being dated, immediate without being obvious, musically inspiring, rhythmically exciting and sonically great!”

Of the re-energising power of releasing ‘Mixed up’, Smith continued: “The whole of 1990 was essentially spent emerging from the shadow of Disintegration, and we managed to do it in a creatively satisfying way; by the end of the year, I couldn’t wait to start work on new songs for the next record”.

Speaking of ‘Torn Down’, Smith continued: “I wanted a 3-disc package, but we didn’t have enough ‘historic’ remixes – for a while I thought the ‘extra-extras’ CD would be Cure songs re-mixed by choice artists, rather than by choice re-mixers… that then got me thinking maybe I should have a go at one… so in early August 2017, I decided to experiment with ‘Three Imaginary Boys’. It is a pretty sparse multi-track; I pulled it apart at home and finished the initial re-mix in one session – and I really enjoyed the whole process”.

A release from the band adds: “By choosing favourite songs rather than the usual singles, one of Smith’s objectives was to illustrate the variety of the Cure catalogue, and by October of 2017 working on songs in chronological release order, he had remixed entirely the 16 songs that appear on ‘Torn Down: Mixed Up Extras 2018’.”

And some more from Udiscovermusic:

Mixed Up’s genesis came from the band’s Disintegration album and its accompanying global Prayer Tour. Released in 1989, Disintegration had delivered a triumphant end to the 80s, but the first year of the 90s found The Cure unexpectedly unsettled.

Determined to keep up the momentum of the band’s ongoing success, but knowing there were internal tensions to address before heading back into the studio, Robert Smith decided on a different course of action; curating an album of the band’s rarer 12” mixes. As work on Mixed Up progressed, Smith realised that some of The Cure’s earlier remixes didn’t stand up to the newer ones.

Two tracks on the album, ‘A Forest’ and ‘The Walk’, were not just remixed but entirely re-recorded, as the multi-track tapes for both songs had long been lost. Both songs were reconstructed in the studio with producer Mark Saunders, using original instruments and gear.

The band convened over five days in June 1990 to record a new track for Mixed Up. After a certain amount of fraught experimenting with beats, loops and sequenced bass lines, Smith decided to change the vibe. A demo entitled PhaseAGE that had previously been deemed ‘too rock’ was committed to tape as ‘Never Enough’ and was released as a single in September 1990. The ‘Closer Mix’ of ‘Close To Me’ soon followed this and both songs were accompanied by customarily deranged Tim Pope videos.

For the Torn Down cover, Smith decided on a self-portrait painted in oils during the summer of 1990 which was originally intended as the sleeve for Mixed Up. He chose Torn Down as the title for the ‘extra-extras’ album inspired by the way he had “torn down” ‘Never Enough’, stripping the song back to resemble his original 1990 PhaseAGE demo. “I felt it was a good way to bring the project back full circle…in a Mixed Up kind of way” he says.
Posted by Craig at 11:08 AM

'Want' (The Time Mix) debuts on BBC 6


BBC 6 Music debuted 'Want' (The Time Mix) from 'Torn Down'. Also aired a bit more of the interview with Robert, where he confirmed that the 'Wish' remaster is finished and will be the next Deluxe Edition released. Also said he plans to finish the Deluxe Edition program now, after it being stopped for "stupid reasons".

Listen to the track and interview segment here at 48:05.
Posted by Craig at 10:58 AM

Cure Assure Fans They Can Sit At Meltdown


From Stereogum:

In a vast number of different ways, getting old sucks. It sucks for many reasons, and one of them is this: Standing up at shows gets harder and harder. An hour or two is one thing, but if you’re at a festival, standing around for days, your neck and back will be killing you by the end. And if it’s slow, contemplative music, standing up is even worse. It’s nature’s way of reminding you that you need to stop pretending you are a teenager.

The Cure know about this. The goth-pop legends have been a band for over 40 years. Many of their fans have stuck with them for decades. This means, of course, that many of their fans are old. The Cure are looking to have a big 2018. There’s new music on the way, there’s a huge 40th-anniversary show, and frontman Robert Smith is curating this summer’s Meltdown Festival in London. He’s put together a hell of a lineup, one that features bands like Nine Inch Nails and My Bloody Valentine. And he does not appreciate the suggestion that fans stand through the whole thing.

Apparently reacting to an online announcement that fans are “encouraged to stand” at Royal Festival Hall, a seated venue, the Cure have jumped on Twitter to reassure fans that this is not the case. They want you to know that it’s OK to sit down if you feel like it. Here’s what they say:


Thank you, the Cure. The aging rock dorks of the world salute you.
Posted by Craig at 10:55 AM

Topographies tour starts tonight

Posted by Craig at 10:50 AM

Thursday, April 12, 2018

Meltdown tickets on sale Friday at 10 am


And remember, you MUST be a Southbank Centre member to have access to Friday's sale. Join here. It certainly won't guarantee you get tickets, just first access to TRY for tickets. Good luck!

Update (April 13th, 2018): The allotment of member tickets for CURÆTION-25 are sold out. More will be available for Monday's general sale. While there were still some problems with the website and queue system, it worked MUCH better than the 1st wave of sales. A lot of fans were able to get tickets via web, phone, and best of all methods, at the box office. Congratulations to all that managed to get them today!

These are the shows going on sale to members on Friday:

Royal Festival Hall

June 18th - Death Cab for Cutie and Fear of Men

June 24th - CURÆTION-25 - Robert Smith and 'Curious Friends' and The Twilight Sad


Queen Elizabeth Hall⠀

June 15th - Concrete Lates: Kiasmos DJ set

June 16th - Concrete Lates: Vessels DJ set and live

June 18th - God is an Astronaut and Jambinai

June 19th - Frightened Rabbit and Pumarosa

June 20th - Low and Jo Quail

June 20th - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 21st - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 22nd - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 23rd - Suzanne Vega and James Walsh

June 23rd - Concrete Lates: Eat Static DJ set

June 24th - Maybeshewill and I Like Trains


Purcell Room

June 15th - Joycut and Indian Queens

June 16th - Jambinai and Tropic of Cancer

June 17th - Loop and Planning For Burial

June 18th - Emma Ruth Rundle and Planning for Burial

June 19th - Vex Red and Douglas Dare

June 20th - Moon Duo and Hilary Woods

June 21st - pg.lost and Thought Forms

June 22nd - The Joy Formidable and Kidsmoke

June 23rd - And Also the Trees and A Dead Forest Index

June 24th - The Soft Moon and The KVB
Posted by Craig at 9:24 AM

Photos of 'Torn Down' RSD vinyl

Posted by Craig at 8:34 AM

Tim Pope on Soho Radio Wednesday



Update (April 11th, 2018): Fun interview with Tim. Had to laugh when Tim was talking about how careful he has to be when talking about Cure projects because of how the fans are. SOME fans, Tim, not all! :)

He warns that the 40th anniversary film will take a while. Said people have to be patient, it takes a long time to put something like this together. And it has to be done very well. It will be finished by next year. He doesn't want nutters yelling at him online.

If you missed it, you can listen to it here. Tim's part starts at 49:40.
Posted by Craig at 7:55 AM

New Cure book out this Spring



Update (April 7th, 2018):

Update (April 12th, 2018):

Posted by Craig at 7:50 AM

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Manic Street Preachers on the honour of playing for ‘hero’ Robert Smith at Meltdown


From NME:

Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield tell us what to expect

Manic Street Preachers have revealed that they’re working on some ‘surprises’ for their headline show as part of their “hero” Robert Smith’s Meltdown Festival.

The Cure frontman handpicked the band for this year’s event at London’s Southbank Centre – where they’ll be supported by The Anchoress and headlining alongside the likes of Deftones, The Libertines, Mogwai, Placebo and the newly-announced Death Cab For Cutie, Frightened Rabbit, Yonaka and many more.

Speaking to NME, bassist Nicky Wire and frontman James Dean Bradfield said that the show would be a highlight of the tour in support for their acclaimed new album, ‘Resistance Is Futile‘.

“We’ve been really lucky this year to have two personal invites from real heroes – Duff from Guns N’ Roses invited us on tour in Europe, and then Robert Smith sent a really lovely email,” Wire told NME. “We obviously jumped at the chance. James is trying to figure out a couple of Cure songs to do with one or two collaborations. There will be surprises. Plus Catherine [Anne Davies, The Anchoress] is supporting us as well. It’s going to be a pretty special night.”

Asked about what he felt the Manics had in common with the rest of Smith’s chosen bands, Wire replied: “The one thread I’d agree with is that we all exist in our own worlds. We’ve never been part of anything else, even Deftones who are so original from what they started with. Our longevity is that we’ve always avoided being bracketed with any movement.

“Same for The Cure, listen to their early records and they’re like no one else. Sometimes they were caricatured as ‘classic goth’, but they weren’t and they were phenomenal. By the time you get to the euphoric pop of ‘In Between Days’ and ‘Just Like Heaven’ – it’s a startling career.”

“We were watching some old footage of him the other day,” Bradfield told NME. “There were a lot of French TV performances and there was some amazing stuff that he was playing. He’s a real ‘in the pocket’ guitarist. Siouxsie and the Banshees always said that they wanted to keep him because he was so brilliant, but he was always quite wary to let loose and express himself too much because he didn’t want to indulge in guitar onanism as I frequently do. He wanted to keep his taste filter in check – but he’s always been a brilliant guitarist. He’s nifty. He knows his way around and he knows how to express himself.”

“I’m really looking forward to seeing old Bobby playing again because ‘Head On The Door’ is a fucking amazing record. Look at ‘Push’ – two minutes and no vocals and it’s fucking amazing.”
Posted by Craig at 3:14 PM

"We thought this was some sort of scam"


From Iceland Monitor:


The Cure's Robert Smith invited Kælan mikla to perform at Meltdown Festival

"We thought this was some sort of scam," says Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir, one of the three members of Icelandic darkwave band Kælan mikla. They received an email with a personal letter from Robert Smith, singer, guitarist and songwriter of The Cure asking them whether they could perform at the upcoming Meltdown Festival in London. The festival is at the South Bank Centre between June 15- 24. Smith is curating the festival this year.

"I have no idea how he found us, and I read it and thought it was a scam email. I thought it was really funny. But I sent it to our booker who told me that it was a real letter. I'm still in shock. All three of us have a varied taste in music but we are all Cure fans. The band has been a huge influence on us. Faith is one of my all-time favourite records," she explains.

The Cure were formed in the late seventies and have released thirteen studio records and have been a great influence on goth/ darkwave and synth music. They also received commercial popularity with songs such as Just Like Heaven, Lovesong and Love Cats.

Kælan Mikla, formed five years ago in Iceland by three young women, Sólveig Matthildur, Laufey Soffía and Margrét Rósa have received critical acclaim both in Iceland and abroad for their synth-punk darkwave music. This past winter they've been touring Europe and in April they are playing at the Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands. Later this year they're going on a South America tour and they are also working on a new studio album.

Kælan Mikla accepted Smith's offer of course, and will be opening for Placebo at the Meltdown Festival. Amongst the other bands playing at the festival are My Bloody Valentine, Nine Inch Nails, Loop, The KVB, The Soft Moon, Moon Duo, Suzanne Vega, Low, Death Cab for Cutie, Manic Street Preachers and Mogwai. Icelandic/Faroese duo Kiasomos will also play as well as Jónsi from Sigur Rós accompanied by Alex Somers and Paul Conley.

Tickets to Meltdown Festival go on sale on April 13th.
Posted by Craig at 2:53 PM

'Mixed Up' 3 CD box set out June 15th, along with single CD, vinyl, and 'Torn Down' vinyl


Amazon UK has a listing for a 3 disc 'Mixed Up' box set scheduled to be released on June 15th, 2018. They also have listings for a single disc version and vinyl version also due out that same day.

And here's the listing for 'Torn Down' on vinyl, also listed for June 15th.

Thanks, Stefan and Brad!

Update (April 11th, 2018): Track lists for all of the editions.



"Robert Smith has remastered the Cure's 1990 compilation of Remixes, 'Mixed Up', and has expanded the Deluxe Edition with a 2nd disc of long deleted remixes from 1982 to 1990, and a 3rd disc containing 16 brand new Remixes done by himself, 'Torn Down: Mixed Up Extras 2018'

The 2LP set of ‘Torn Down: Mixed Up Extras 2018’ have been Half Speed Mastered by Robert Smith and Tim Young at Metropolis Studios, London. They have been pressed on 180gram vinyl in Gatefold Sleeves and contain a Download Voucher."

3CD TRACKLISTING:

DISC ONE : Mixed Up – Remastered 2018

01: Lullaby – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 7:43 )
02: Close To Me – Closer Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:44 )
03: Fascination Street – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 8:47 )
04: The Walk – Everything Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:27 )
05: Lovesong – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:19 )
06: A Forest – Tree Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:55 )
07: Pictures of You – Extended Dub Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:41 )
08: Hot Hot Hot!!! – Extended Mix – 2018 remaster ( 7:01 )
09: The Caterpillar – Flicker Mix – 2018 remaster ( 5:40 )
10: Inbetween Days – Shiver Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:22 )
11: Never Enough – Big Mix – 2018 remaster ( 6:07 )

DISC TWO – Mixed Up Extras 2018 : Remixes 1982-1990

01: Let’s Go To Bed (Extended Mix 1982 - 2018 remaster) ( 7:44 )
02: Just One Kiss (Extended Mix 1982 - 2018 remaster) ( 7:15 )
03: Close To Me (Extended Remix 1985 - 2018 remaster) ( 6:31 )
04: Boys Don’t Cry (New Voice Club Mix 1986 - 2018 remaster) ( 5:29 )
05: Why Can’t I Be You? (Extended Mix 1987 - 2018 remaster) ( 8:07 )
06: A Japanese Dream (12" Remix 1987 - 2018 remaster) ( 5:47 )
07: Pictures of You (Extended Version 1990 - 2018 remaster) ( 8:06 )
08: Let’s Go To Bed (Milk Mix 1990 - 2018 remaster) ( 7:13 )
09: Just Like Heaven (Dizzy Mix 1990 - 2018 remaster) ( 3:42 )
10: Primary (Red Mix 1990 - 2018 remaster) ( 7:10 )
11: The Lovecats (TC & Benny Mix 1990 - 2018 remaster) ( 4:39 )

DISC THREE – Torn Down : Mixed Up Extras 2018

01: Three Imaginary Boys – Help Me Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:21 )
02: M – Attack Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:07 )
03: The Drowning Man – Bright Birds Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:29 )
04: A Strange Day – Drowning Waves Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:05 )
05: Just One Kiss – Remember Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:57 )
06: Shake Dog Shake – New Blood Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:11 )
07: A Night Like This – Hello Goodbye Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:24 )
08: Like Cockatoos – Lonely In The Rain Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:49 )
09: Plainsong – Edge Of The World Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:33 )
10: Never Enough – Time To Kill Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:34 )
11: From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea – Love In Vain Mix by Robert Smith ( 6:21 )
12: Want – Time Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:44 )
13: The Last Day of Summer – 31st August Mix by Robert Smith ( 5:44 )
14: Cut Here – If Only Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:25 )
15: Lost – Found Mix by Robert Smith ( 3:59 )
16: It’s Over – Whisper Mix by Robert Smith ( 4:54 )

Read more »
Posted by Craig at 8:00 AM

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Full Meltdown lineup


Tickets for all of the newly announced shows will go on sale to Southbank members at 10 am on Friday April 13th. General sale at 10 am on Monday April 16th.

Was asked what the best strategy is for getting tickets for Curaetion-25. I'm thinking go and camp out at the box office, have a phone to try calling in, and another device to try buying online, all at the same time. :)

Seriously, though, you saw what happened in the first wave of ticket sales. This won't be pretty, and A LOT of fans are going to be disappointed. It's a small show and demand will be extremely high.

Also, if you're not a Southbank Centre member, your chances of getting tickets is even lower. Almost non-existent. Hate to say it, because you shouldn't have to pay that extra fee, but it's true.

Royal Festival Hall

June 15th - Psychedelic Furs and The Church⠀

June 16th - Placebo and kaelan mikla⠀

June 17th - The Libertines and Yonaka⠀

June 18th - Death Cab for Cutie and Fear of Men

June 19th - Manic Street Preachers and The Anchoress

June 20th - Deftones and pg.lost⠀

June 21st - Mogwai and Kathryn Joseph⠀

June 22nd - Nine Inch Nails and Black Moth Super Rainbow⠀

June 23rd - My Bloody Valentine and The Soft Moon ⠀

June 24th - CURÆTION-25 - Robert Smith and 'Curious Friends' and The Twilight Sad

Curator Robert Smith closes the 25th Meltdown festival with an exclusive two-hour show at Royal Festival Hall.

He is joined onstage by four of his curious friends – and other, imaginary accompanists – to perform special interpretations based on a very particular selection of songs he has sung throughout the years.


Queen Elizabeth Hall⠀

June 15th - 65daysofstatic and Tropic of Cancer⠀

June 15th - Concrete Lates: Kiasmos DJ set

June 16th - The Notwist and Drahla⠀

June 16th - Concrete Lates: Vessels DJ set and live

June 17th - Alcest and Emma Ruth Rundle⠀

June 18th - God is an Astronaut and Jambinai

June 19th - Frightened Rabbit and Pumarosa

June 20th - Low and Jo Quail

June 20th - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 21st - Kristin Hersh and Matt Holubowski

June 21st - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 22nd - Mono and Jo Quail

June 22nd - Jónsi, Alex Somers & Paul Corley: Liminal

June 23rd - Suzanne Vega and James Walsh

June 23rd - Concrete Lates: Eat Static DJ set

June 24th - Maybeshewill and I Like Trains


Purcell Room

June 15th - Joycut and Indian Queens

June 16th - Jambinai and Tropic of Cancer

June 17th - Loop and Planning For Burial

June 18th - Emma Ruth Rundle and Planning for Burial

June 19th - Vex Red and Douglas Dare

June 20th - Moon Duo and Hilary Woods

June 21st - pg.lost and Thought Forms

June 22nd - The Joy Formidable and Kidsmoke

June 23rd - And Also the Trees and A Dead Forest Index

June 24th - The Soft Moon and The KVB

Posted by Craig at 5:21 AM

Monday, April 9, 2018

Robert interview on BBC 6 Tuesday morning!


If you missed it, or want to listen again, you can find the interview here.

Some highlights from the interview (taken from the BBC 6 Music tweets):

Robert Smith on how it feels to be “cure-rating” : “it’s galvanised me, and I’ve booked studio time for the band! The first time I was aware of it when it was it curated by John Peel... The most memorable for me was seeing Bowie performing Low.”

Robert Smith on curating Meltdown: “They said ‘go ahead, book whoever you want’... Obviously for my dream festival some of the people are dead... I was surprised how immediate people said yes! It was so heartwarming.”

“I felt I had probably said enough... I was waiting until there was something new to start talking about... in the modern world people speak endlessly about nothing...” - Robert Smith on not doing interviews for the past few years.

“I’m probably going to do something on my own on stage.” - one of Robert Smith’s plans for the finale of but it may also be him and “four of my closest musical friends.”

“I’ve still got the poster from the Rocket Club in Crawley!” says Robert Smith and he’s found a side of stage recording of that first ever gig, 40 years ago, at Worth Abbey. (Note: And said he plans on releasing it. Yes, yes, I know, I'm just telling you what he said. :) )

“I’ve booked us time to do demos next month... in a dream world we’ll have a new song to play in the summer.” - Robert Smith on whether there will be new music this year. “What Meltdown has done, by listening lots of new music, it’s invigorated me.. I feel like I want to join in”

“I think we’ll end up going around the world next year... I think we’ll be recognising some anniversaries next Year too. Like our first Album and Disintegration, maybe.” (Note: He said they've already booked some things. It will be a mix of Cure shows, festivals, and those special anniversary type shows,)

And a few other things:

Robert actually invited The Rolling Stones to play , but they declined. They were too busy with their own shows this Summer.

He hints that The Cure will be headlining , but completely different to Hyde Park, little more weird, and different configurations, different songs, and special guests, so not really a Cure show. Hyde Park is still the only place you will see The Cure playing in Europe this year.

Doesn't feel that The Cure should play a regular show at , because it wouldn't be fair to those who bought tickets for Hyde Park thinking it would be the only Cure show in Europe this year, as it has been advertised.

Some articles covering this: Slicing Up Eyeballs, Radio X, Post-Punk, NME, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Riot Fest, CoS, Clash, Spin, Louder Sound, List, Noisey
Posted by Craig at 2:33 PM
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