Dresden Dolls borrow a RS-1000

"The DRESDEN DOLLS did a 'ninja gig' in a park in Fremantle (Australia) this afternoon...Brian used my Robert Smith acoustic for the show :) They even played 'Inbetween Days'! (i have video!) he was really impressed with the RS-1000... I made him give it back though! That's me with them in the last pic :)" (Thanks Brad)

History made: The Cure, Wellington

Article about The Cure in New Zealand 1981.
(Thanks Kate and Aaron)

Vive Le Rock #5: The Four Ages of Bob

Scans of a new Cure article in issue #5 of Vive Le Rock magazine. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Schecter 2012 Cure models

Schecter just posted their 2012 catalog. Here are the new Robert and Simon models.


Schecter just posted this on their Facebook page.

Rumor: Cure to play Reading & Leeds?

It's one of those days where the rumors are flying all around. Here's a new one that would make a lot of fans happy IF it's true:
"a good friend of mine who i would class as a reliable source called me rather excited as he has been informed by a UK promoter The Cure will be playing the Reading/Leeds festivals in late August. Official announcements are not due until March but i guess 'watch this space' ". (Thanks John)

Again, keep an eye on the official site for any confirmations and official news on all of these rumored shows.

And just to be absolutely clear, as of today, The Cure have not announced/confirmed ANY shows for 2012.

Rumor: Cure play Pinkpop festival in May?

"It is rumored that the Cure will play The Pinkpop festival in The Netherlands in the weekend of 26-28 May. This morning radio 3FM dj Giel had a phone conversation with the organizer and he said that they have been on the shortlist for a couple of years. He confirmed that there have been negotiations before Christmas, but nothing definitive yet. The organizer memorized the epic 1986 Cure performance at The Pinkpop festival which helped ‘save’ the festival which experienced some bad years…..especially in 1985." (Thanks Peter)

"According to the website festileaks.com will the Cure play Pinkpop. Jan Smeets, the big Pinkpop boss, seems to spread the word, but he will not officially confirm it." (Thanks Anja)

Just another rumor at this time, and nothing confirmed or official. As always, until a show is listed at the official site, it isn't happening. But lets hope for some good news soon.

Robert & Simon 4Tour photos

"I was looking into some of my old pics of THE CURE and among others I discovered these from 4TOUR MUNICH 25/FEB/2008 with Robert and Simon before the show I never uploaded… nice to see Simon with red hair again! : )" (Thanks @marsworld)

Musikexpress Heroes: The Cure

Part 7 of the Musikexpress (English translation) series features The Cure. (Thanks David)

'Killing an Arab' articles in France

Couple of recent French articles that mention the 'Killing an Arab' "controversy". Allo Music (English) takes a look at racism in English rock, And Novo Press (English) laments the changing of the title to 'Killing Another' on the Bestival CD. (Thanks David)
And as most of you are aware, Robert changed it back to Arab at the recent Reflections shows.

Problems with Cure Trainers?

Charles got this email just before Christmas:
"We are writing to you with regard to the order you have placed with us for The Cure Trainers. We have recently received the Cure Trainers into our warehouse and very sadly they have failed our quality checking process. We are in urgent talks with our suppliers to investigate how to resolve the manufacturing quality. We are aware how long you have been waiting for these items and have therefore taken the decision to refund you for these items today. The money will be in your account immediately but may take up to 5 working days to appear on your statement. Please accept our sincere apologies at having to disappoint you. Rest assured we will get back in contact with you if we achieve a positive outcome and can advise that the trainers are available. Kindest regards, The Sandbag Team"
Did anyone get any? If so, which style?

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)