Merry Christmas

Joyeux Noël and the happiest of holidays to you all!


The Cure - Merry Christmas Everybody
(Wembley Arena - Dec. 9th, 1987)


Siouxsie & the Banshees - Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant
(Dec. 15th, 1982)


Originally posted at Thecure.com (Dec. 2001)

Rumor: Cure at Bilbao BBK Live 2012

Another European festival rumor, this time for Spain. Conciertos Ultrasonicos (English translation) says The Cure will be headlining the Bilbao BBK Live 2012 festival with Radiohead in July.
(Thanks ikbenwel)

Again, just like with the Rockwave rumor, until/unless it's listed at Thecure.com, it isn't happening. Just something interesting to keep an eye on in the coming months. Let's hope these rumors, and the ones still to come, turn out to be true.

Bestival set is #1 on Top Live Shows 2011 list

The Cure's set at Bestival takes the #1 spot on Drowned In Sound's My Top 10 live shows of 2011 by Dom Gourlay.

The Cure: A Curious Day Out in Bournemouth

April 1980 article/interview from Vague fanzine #5
(Thanks @is_maith_liom)

New EP from Compact Space

Compact Space - "Who Says It's Real" EP
Digital Release 05/01/12
1. WSIR? Radio Mix (by Flood)
2. What I Want (new track)
3. WSIR? Black Swan Mix (by Flood)

Compact Space : "Who Says It's Real" - Radio/Black Swan mixes by Flood - new entry at number two on the German Alternative Club chart. (Thanks Daryl)

New version of Friday for Secret 7"?

"Larry The Duck (DJ on Sirius/XM) just reported that as part of the Wish re-issue, Friday I'm in Love is being re-recorded for a 7" release for Record Store Day next April." (Thanks Brian)

Goes without saying that this is in no way official or confirmed until it's on the official site, and could be a misunderstanding on Larry's part. We do know that Friday will be getting released as part of the Secret 7" Record Store Day 2012 event, and that 'Wish' Deluxe is scheduled for release in 2012, but there has been no official word on a re-recording of Friday.

'Wish' Deluxe CD in 2012 & new album?

Along with the news of the Secret 7" art competition, there was this included in the bio at the Talenthouse website:
"The Cure have been re-issuing re-mastered versions of their early albums since 2003, with 1992's 'Wish' (the album that carries the single 'Friday I'm In Love') scheduled for the 'deluxe re-release' treatment in 2012....The band are currently working on a new studio album"

Hope this is accurate, and part of what Robert was alluding to as "STUFF BUBBLING AWAY IN THE BASEMENT".

Update (12-15): Have been told that this news was provided to Talenthouse by an official band source. (Thanks Joerg)

Rumor: Cure at Rockwave Festival 2012

In no way confirmed or official, just an interesting rumor - Greek music site Postwave (rough English translation) is reporting that The Cure are all but confirmed (key part there) to play the Rockwave Festival in Greece on June 30th, 2012.
We can probably expect a flood of these sorts of rumors over the next few months, most of which will be turn out to be false. (Thanks Spyros)

Cure Reflections London: Photo Documentary

"I am a French free-lance graphic designer & photographer, huge fan (do i need to say ?) of the Cure since 25 years, i think you might be interested by this: I just finished a kind of "PHOTO DOCUMENTARY" about the Royal Albert Hall 2011 Concert for my "souvenirs"...everything is explained on this page, if you want to have a look." (Thanks Michael)

Cure not inducted into R & R Hall of Fame

The Cure were not chosen for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame this year. See the full list of inductees here. This does not mean they will never get in, they just didn't make it on their first attempt. (Thanks Curepol)

Update: Very nice articles about this at the CNN Geek Out blog and PopMatters. (Thanks Frank and Slicingeyeballs)

Cure to release live Bestival CD

Double CD release on Dec. 5th (UK & Europe) / 6th (North America) to benefit the Isle of Wight Youth Trust. Check the official site for the details.

Reports at The Guardian, NME, Pitchfork, Uncut, Bestiblog, Slicing Up Eyeballs, Consequence of Sound, Isle of Wight County Press, Fact Mag, Pix Bear.
(Thanks fatpie1664, Heron, Perfect.Murder, David)

Reviews: Pop Matters / Blinded by Sound / New Zealand Herald / Cambridge News / The Gap / Pitchfork / Liberation Next / Peek a Boo / Entertainment Weekly / Drowned in Sound / Consequence of Sound / Buzzine / Atlanta Music Guide / BBC / Virtual Festivals / The Skinny

Update (Dec. 1st): Rob da Bank talks about the show and the release of the album. (Thanks Aaron)

Update (Dec. 6th): Listen to the album on Rdio or Spotify. (Thanks Jason and Heron)

Update (Dec. 13th): Sunday Best has posted 3 official videos from the show - Close to Me, A Forest, and Just Like Heaven.

Update (Dec. 13th): The album didn't make the UK Top 100 Albums chart, but came in at #12 on the Top 40 Indie Albums chart. (Thanks Aaron)

More from Robert

In response to fans worried about him not signing things in the future, Robert replied in the comments at the official site:
SIGNING...
IT'S UNLIKELY I WILL STOP SIGNING STUFF... BUT ITS USUALLY CHAOTIC PRE/POST SHOW - THROUGH FENCES/BUS WINDOWS/STAGGERING INTO HOTELS ETC ETC!!! - SO HARD IN THOSE MOMENTS TO DETERMINE WHO IS 'REAL' AND WHO ISN'T... I SUPPOSE MY POINT IS MORE THAT IF DEMAND FOR OVERPRICED SIGNED TAT DISAPPEARS, THE EBAYHOUNDS WILL FOLLOW SUIT... ? (SIGNING "TO XXX... " IS ALWAYS GOOD IDEA, BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IMPRACTICAL... THERE IS USUALLY MORE THAN ONE PERSON TALKING AT ONCE (?!!) AND THE TIME IT WOULD TAKE WOULD LIKELY MEAN I WOULDN'T GET A SOUNDCHECK/GET WHERE I'M GOING/MAKE IT TO BED!)

Christina Applegate talks about The Cure

Christina Applegate was on Jimmy Kimmel last night (watch at 21:02, also on Youtube), and talked about loving The Cure at 13, Goths, attending Reflections LA, and needing a nap during the Faith set. : ) (Thanks Alan)

The Cure at Bestival on Sky 3D

From the Bestival email: The Cure at Bestival on Sky 3D - Dec. 9th at 21:00 / Jan. 11th at 23:00 / Jan. 14th at 24:00 / Jan. 19th at 21:00.
Bestival Highlights: Sky Arts - Dec 29 at 12:30
Bestival Highlights: Sky 3D - Dec 21 at 19:30 & Jan. 28 at 15:30
Bestival Backstage: Sky 3D - Dec 24 at 24:00 & Jan 20 at 21:00

Universal also sent out an email today, promoting that box set of the first 5 albums and links to some photos from the Reflections London show.

Robert Smith UltraCure VI

New from Schecter, the Robert Smith UltraCure VI 2012. Out next year. More photos here. (Thanks Brad)

Update: Robert has updated the official site, and also posted some more thoughts in the comments:

SCHECTER ULTRACURE RSV1 BASS AND GALLUP BASS!!!

PS IN OTHER 'GUITAR' NEWS... THERE IS A SCHECTER ULTRACURE RSV1 BASS OUT IN SPRING - AFTER A FEW DIFFERENT VERSIONS I SETTLED FOR A MAPLE NECK MODEL, WITH 3 SINGLE COIL PICKUPS AND 3-WAY SELECTOR SWITCH - IT SOUNDS AND PLAYS AS CLOSE TO MY DISINTEGRATION ERA FAVE FENDER V1 AS IS POSSIBLE... BUT WITH THE ADDED BONUS OF 24 FRETS, EXTRA TONE CHOICES AND NO TUNING ISSUES! IT IS SO LOVELY... AS IS SIMONS SCHECTER ULTRACURE BASS... MORE ON THESE INSTRUMENTS SOON...

PICKUPS
(PS AND FOR ANY THAT WONDER (?!!)... THE RSV1 BASS PICKUPS ARE SEYMOUR DUNCAN VINTAGE JAGUAR SINGLE COILS, AS TO MY EAR THEY SOUND CLOSEST TO MY FENDER V1'S)

Cure on Blank & Jones 'Chilltronica No 3'

The Cure are featured on Blank & Jones' 'Chilltronica No 3' album, with 'All Cats Are Grey' (only on the German version?), and a cover of 'Homesick' by B & J, which was approved by Robert Smith personally. Watch the trailer here. (Thanks BOA)

You can get the 'Homesick' cover at Amazon US and UK, too.

Ad for Simon's Ultra Bass

"It's not a Schecter ad (it's fucking terrible!), but at least you can see the bass...from Guitar World's Holiday Buyers Guide... It's a preview, the Simon bass is 'soon-to-be-released'."
Click here for larger version of the ad.

As previously reported, it should be released in January.
(Thanks Brad)

Thank You!

Just wanted to say thank you to Robert, Simon, Jason, Roger and Lol, for giving us these extraordinary shows. As I said after Friday night, The Cure's professionalism, their dedication to perfection, and their hard work in getting this show to such a high level, was so evident! I have no idea how you managed to play 6 of these shows in 7 days, and not be completely exhausted, but if you were, it certainly didn't show. We can't thank you enough for bringing the shows to more fans, and not just limiting them to Australia. That made so many people happy. So once again, thank you! Now get some rest, have a very happy holiday season, and let's do it all again next year! : )

Cure Reflections NYC - Night 3

Setlist
Reviews: NBC New York
Photos: Bill (with review) English translation / Adrian / Gaelle Beri / Marvin (meeting the band) Vicky / She Said Boom!! / Angie Mason / Curepol (& brief videos) / bombaykino / dmz75

Videos: Cure arriving & meeting fans / Killing An Arab / Boys Don't Cry ("We'll see you again next year") / Subway Song / In Your House / Hanging Garden 1 - 2 - 3 / Fire In Cairo / 10:15 Saturday Night - Accuracy / Close To Me / Robert with fans outside the Beacon / Faith / It's Not You / Three Imaginary Boys 1 - 2 / Let's Go to Bed 1 - 2 / Jumping Someone Else's Train / Primary / Meathook / Three / Drowning Man / Splintered in Her Head / Charlotte Sometimes 1 - 2 / Holy Hour / World War / A Reflection - Play For Today 1 - 2 / Leaning on a Lamp Post - Descent / Plastic Passion / Robert intros Faith set & Holy Hour / All Cats Are Grey 1 - 2 / Secrets / Foxy Lady 1 - 2 / Boys Don't Cry / The Caterpillar / Inbetween Days / Funeral Party / Play For Today 1 - 2 / A Forest 1 - 2 / Grinding Halt / 10:15 Saturday Night 1 - 2 / Lovecats

Here we go...the final Reflections show. The final chance to see this incredibly special event. If you are anywhere near by, and can get a ticket, go! I swear it's the best money you'll spend this holiday season.
So is everyone ready? Ready to show the band how much NYC loves and supports them? Be respectful to those around you, but don't hold back tonight. Dance, sing, scream, clap, cry, or just concentrate on the fantastic music they are playing, whatever you feel! You'll never get to live this night again, so make the most of it! And above all, have a great time!

Cure Reflections NYC - Night 2

Setlist
Audio: FLAC (Dime)
Photos: Discordance / Cindy / Vicky / Meta Negemi / sdowen / Metro Boston
Note: If you would like to request any of Mauro's photos from Discordance, please email him at photo(at)mauromelis(dot)fr. No commercial use.

Videos: Cindy's Playlist / Faith / Seventeen Seconds / Killing An Arab / Caterpillar / Doubt / Primary / Seventeen Seconds / Final Sound - A Forest / Three / A Reflection - Play For Today / Three Imaginary Boys / Fire In Cairo / Grinding Halt / Robert talks with fans / Do the Hansa 1 - 2 - 3 / Descent / A Forest / Perfect.Murder's videos / Lukretiah's videos / gcf1971's videos

11:36 PM - The Caterpillar! And Inbetween Days, again!
11:14 PM - JarlNelson - Crowd definitely more into it than last night. I wonder what tomorrow holds? We shall see during night 3.

11:04 PM - spiggy - that was a very dance-y another journey from Robert
10:40 PM - do the hansa!!!
10:36 PM - deadhoarse - some extra lyrics on faith. "I'll wait for you where I always wait"??? 2late? Hard to make out what is said
10:15 PM - _vera_a_ - all cats was perfect - hope someone got it.
10:04 PM - _vera_a_ - primary - some serious singing-along! Crowd is more enthusiastic than yesterday.

9:55 PM - deadhoarse - about to come back for faith. Going by too fast!
9:51 PM - Fragmnts - 17 seconds just ended seconds ago. much closer to the stage tonight. I can't report seeing tim burton, trent reznor, or john mcclain, but my girlfriend tells me one of the guys from twilight is in front of us. he seems pretty disinterested, but good thing he's doing his homework. not one of the main guys. faith coming up....
8:58 PM - deadhoarse - hallway cram again. It started around same time as last night, 8:25? Tib seemed to fly by so quick, playing Tib (song) now

8:49 PM - deadhoarse - RS: "this song is called Plainsong" then they played 10:15. Don't tease us like that Robert!

Have a great time tonight! Don't know when I'll be back to update, but please let us know if there are any more surprises, and just let us all know what you thought of this incredible show. And be a great audience for them. They truly deserve it!