1992 Robert interview from Propaganda #19

Robert Smith interview in Propaganda #19 from 1992.
(Thanks Sofia)

Win tickets to see The Cure in Barcelona

"To celebrate the eighth anniversary of hispacure (2004-2012), we have organized a special drawing (contest) where cure fans can win two tickets to see The Cure concert in Barcelona (Primavera Sound Festival) on Friday June 1, 2012." Details on how to enter are in the comments. 
(Thanks Ivan and Happy 8th Anniversary!)

Robert interview at HLN

Part 1 & Part 2 of an interview with Robert is posted at HLN. English translations here. (Thanks Vicky and Jeroen)

Update: Robert says this interview is NOT new. It's all from old interviews and the new stuff is made up. (Thanks Robert & Roger)

They also have polls to vote for Best Cure Album and Favorite Cure Song. 'Disintegration' & 'Charlotte Sometimes' for me. But only because 'Same Deep Water As You' isn't an option. : )

Porl Thompson auction on May 19th

The auction is over. Here's the official sales result list. (Thanks Nemi)

From @OmegaAuctions:
"Just picked up collection of instruments, artwork, stage clothing & memorabilia from well known member of iconic band, all will be revealed!"
"Yes - we can now announce that it is Porl Thompson and there are about 15 pieces of original artwork in the sale. Over 100 lots in total!"
"Don't miss 19th May #Cure #PorlThompson collection. 100+ fab lots, instruments, artwork, stage clothing, memorabilia... details to follow" (Thanks Perfect.Murder)
Photo from Coventry Telegraph. (Thanks @AaronLaw92)

Update: Ad from Record Collector. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Update (4/29): The video preview is up and the catalog has been posted.

Update (4/30): From Omega Auctions on YouTube: "Porl is absolutely fine and is busy working on other projects. He will issue a letter to fans in the next few days..."
And from Perfect.Murder: "I spoke to the auctioneer today, and the guy had just put down the phone on Porl...he said he was absolutely fine and just clearing up...:)"
Also, I asked if Porl would attend the auction, here's their reply: "Not sure yet if Porl is attending. It has been discussed and we will let you know once confirmed."

Update (5/1): A note from Porl about the auction.

Update (5/7): You can now buy a copy of the catalog on ebay for £7.

Update (5/11): 3 items, including the 1961 Fender Stratocaster Hardtail, are up on ebay. If they do not meet their reserve price, they will be sold at the May 19th auction.
(Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Update (5/18): From @OmegaAuctions - "24 hrs to go until the Porl Thompson auction. Porl can no longer attend due to an injury but wishes everybody good luck with their bids! :)"

NME's 100 Best Songs of the 1990s

'Friday I'm in Love' comes in at #58 on NME's 100 Best Songs of the 1990s - "After the blissful misery of 1989’s ‘Disintegration’, ‘Wish’ was a return to the more poppy Bob Smith of mid-80s glory – and ‘Friday I’m In Love’ was its dangerously upbeat signature track. Not that its genesis was all that happy. The paranoid Smith was sure he’d nabbed the chord progression and spent hours ringing people up and playing it to them to see if they knew." (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

The Cure on YouTube

Robert interview on Hungarian TV program SztáRock 1996
TV2 report on The Cure in Hungary 2005
New upload of MTV Icon: Fanography 2004
(Thanks Andrew/TheCureCollector)

Primavera Sound poster

A poster for the Primavera Sound festival, as spotted in Barcelona by Perfect.Murder's friend Ignasi. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Rock in Roma poster

While on holiday in Rome today, Sylvain spotted this poster for The Cure's Rock in Roma show. A reminder that the Summer festival shows are less than 2 weeks away.
(Thanks Sylvain)

Just Like Heaven [835 remix]

Listen to 835's remix of 'Just Like Heaven' here. (Thanks @835_)

Rare Glove track available again

"For those completists interested, there's a hard to find Glove track available again. Tormented, the instrumental demo version, is available to download at Steve Severin's website. I had inquired there a few months ago, and it wasnt available. I got an email from the site, (Severin himself maybe) two days ago telling me it now was. It's on the Unisexdreamsalon album and you can download the whole album or the track separately. It's the backing track of 'And all around us the mermaids sang', from The Glove remaster. It's cool to hear it without vocals. And listening to both makes me wonder, even though it doesn't matter, when those Glove bonus disc vocals were actually recorded."
(Thanks Tom)

Perry update

Original post (6/12/11): As some of you know, Perry was recording with Steve Hewitt of Placebo last year, and it looks like we might finally get to hear some of that work. Perry and Steve are listed as "additional collaborators in studio and live" with Polaroid Kiss (also on MySpace and Soundcloud), who's debut EP, 'The New Coliseum', is listed for release this summer, and their album, 'Weakness of the Beautiful Souls', is listed for a late 2011 release. Perry plays guitar on a track called 'Walk the Room'. Will be so nice to hear from Perry again!
(Thanks to Friend of CoF for help with this)

Update (09/15/11): I asked Polaroid Kiss about which tracks Perry actually plays on, and here's their reply - "He may record on other tracks in the future. But currently: 'Walk The Room (Album Version), Pay Your Dues & The New Coliseum"

And more from @Polaroid_Kiss: "His guitars are mixed much more prominently on the album versions of those tracks, You will hear that "cure" sound very clearly. The last time we conversed he was doing a film project w/ Gizz Butt (the Prodigy) & wanting time off music to pursue artwork"

Update (05/10/12): The Polaroid Kiss album, Weakness of the Beautiful Souls, has a release date of July 3rd, and is up for pre-orders now. As mentioned below, Perry plays on 2 tracks, 'Walk the Room' and 'Pay Your Dues'. (Thanks Mars)
 

Disintegration - the best album ever

Alastair Ross, writing for Blog On The Tracks at Stuff, makes the case for 'Disintegration' being the best album ever.
(Thanks Alastair and Matt)

The Cure at the R&R HOF ceremony...sort of

Josh Klinghoffer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers wears his Cure shirt at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Tribute? Protest? Either way, nice to see. (Thanks John)

Cure Fans photoshoot in LA

"I’m starting a personal photo project which will feature portraits of hardcore Cure fans. I was inspired to do this after seeing last week’s Cure show at the Pantages, and being an avid Cure fan myself I’m confident that this will be a cool project."
See Scott's blog for more info. (Thanks Andythecurefan)

Update (04/18/12): "I'll be unveiling my new photo project "Cure People" Friday April 27th at Fifth Studios. The project is a series of portraits I have created over the past several months of diehard fans of the music group The Cure. This event, called Slideluck Potshow, will be showcasing artist's work in a slideshow presentation (I believe starts at 9pm). Fifth studios is located directly behind Urth Caffe at Hewitt and 5th (Little Tokyo Arts District). Would love to see you there and please spread the word!" (Thanks Andythecurefan)

Update (04/23/12): From Scott Witter - "Sneak peek of my photo project 'Cure People' happening at @slideluckLA this Friday at Fifth studios. http://pic.twitter.com/rja6qhQI" Also, "Me with Cure fans Katie & Raeschel."

Update (05/05/12): Here's the Cure People slideshow from the exhibit. The photos are also now posted on Scott's website.

The Balearic Sound Of The Cure

From Boomkat: "Ace twelve featuring the extended 12" version of "Lullaby", The extended dub version of "Pictures Of You", plus the original 12" extended version of "Close To Me". Oh yeah, the excellent flamenco pastiche of "The Blood" is also included - which makes this a winner in our books." (Thanks Benj/fatpie)

No idea if this is an official release or a bootleg.

Secret 7" auction

The remaining Secret 7" singles are up for auction on the Teenage Cancer Trust ebay page. The auctions will run for 1 week.

From @Secret7s - "Brush up on your interpretation skills tonight, the remaining sleeves will go live on the @TeenageCancer eBay page tomorrow from 5pm. There will be over a hundred 7'' - including records from all our 7 hosts - starting at just a penny!"

Update (5-4-12): Congratulations to everyone who won a sleeve and  helped the Teenage Cancer Trust. From @Secret7s  - "Told by @TeenageCancer we just raised £9,605.97 on eBay!! That is incredible. Thank you all."

Also, the Robert Smith sleeve should be re-listed soon, and they still have the Robert signed test pressings auction coming soon.

Jason at Teenage Cancer Trust event tonight

"I attended an evening for the Teenage Cancer Trust Charity in Soho (London) that my friend runs... The evening was based on an auction of artworks sold for the charity (and raised £80.000 from what i heard- which is great!) and i bumped into Jason! Had a great chat, they are in the middle of rehearsals for the festivals and it's going great! Totally unexpected... And such a nice man!! I feel privileged to meet members from my favourite band in such a random way and just wanted to share that with my fellow Cure fans!" (Thanks JC/Perfect.Murder)

Wedding help?

Luigi & his girlfriend are getting married and need some help. Does anyone know/have the arrangement partiture for the String Quartet Tribute album version of Just Like Heaven? Thanks!

Cure article in Ruta 66

Robert cover and Cure article ("No interview, but there is an extensive report about the band since 1979 - 2012"), in the new issue of Ruta 66 in Spain.
(Thanks Alex and Maria)

The Cure Guitar Parts

Santiago has started a YouTube page, The Cure Guitar Parts, showcasing & playing Porl & Robert's guitar parts in various songs. As he put it, "My homage to Robert Smith and Porl Thompson: the most underrated dynamic duo of guitar players in the history of Rock."