Close Encounters Brazil 1987

"As another fan told us about his 25th year of his first Cure Concert, I am sending pictures of mine in March 1987.

Here is a picture of my first close encounter with them. This picture was published in our local newspaper back then, and I remember as if it happened yesterday.

I went with a couple of friends to the airport, but did not get in touch with the band. So, we ran to the best hotel in town. When we got there, the band was heading in to the hall, with tons of fans and press right behind them. I managed to pass them by the side, and got in front of Robert.

This is the exact moment were i am turning around and asking him for an autograph! You can imagine how happy i was!!! Even more meeting them almost 25 years after in Milan this year!!

I still got them, with the signature of the rest of the band!

Here are some pictures taken from the first Cure performances in Brazil, in Porto Alegre, March 1987. I bought them from a local newspaper." (Thanks Luciano)

Cure pub in Seoul, South Korea

"Have you ever heard about this? It's a huge pub in Seoul (Hongdae) called "The Cure" with pictures and posters of the band (and of a few other British bands) all over the place and on TV screens. The place looks insane! Look at the Gallery here, more pictures here." (Thanks Olivier)

Rob da Bank on 'Disintegration'

Rob da Bank spoke to Q Magazine about how he discovered The Cure and his love for 'Disintegration'. (Thanks Aaron)

Clash of the Titans: The Cure vs Radiohead Live

The Quietus went to Bilbao BBK Live, and takes a look at who had the better set between The Cure and Radiohead.
(Thanks Mike and Darrell)

Roger & Adam's Requiem DVD

From Roger on Facebook: "Brief news update; the Requiem DVD should be available for order from August 1st. It won't be numbered but will include Day and Night the two extra pieces of music Adam and I wrote for before and after the performance. I think its going to be £15 inc p+p but may be less.."

Update (Aug. 4th, 2012): The DVD is up for pre-ordering. Will ship out on Sept. 1st.

Perry update

More of a Perryspotting, but there's this from a profile of Perry's wife Donna: "And there aren't many amateur jockeys who are married to rock stars. Donna's partner is Perry Bamonte, formerly of Goth band The Cure, who until he met Donna four years ago was enjoying some quiet seclusion. "No one knew who he was," said Donna. "There was even a rumour a devil worshipper had moved in to the house! Once we got together, then everyone knew who he was. He says I made him famous!"
(Thanks @CrimsonTonight)

Robert Smith interview with The Word

I was asked to wait until 2 weeks after publication to post this, and now that the time is up, here's the complete Word interview with Robert. Might still find a copy on newsstands, and also available on iPad.
(Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Rob Fitzpatrick goes on the road with Robert Smith and The Cure

Robert Smith, Cure keyboard-player Roger O’Donnell and I are in a black van – the sort of multi-seat box soccer “moms” ferry their offspring around in – rolling down a motorway somewhere between Zurich and the small southern German town of Singen. It is early evening and the sun warms the lush green hills that surround us.

Smith and I are having a beer while O’Donnell tells us about touring America with The Thompson Twins in support to The Police somewhere in the long-lost mid-’80s. We’re pulling up to a junction when Smith tells me how The Cure were playing in Moscow a week or so ago and everywhere they went there were posters for an upcoming show by Sting. “Unfortunately they’d written his name in Cyrillic script,” he says, chucking a peanut in his mouth. “And that’s how I know Sting in Russian is spelled C, U, M, T.” We laugh out loud and take another drink and let the light play on our sunglasses, and I think to myself, could there be any nicer way to spend Saturday evening?

Porl Thompson amp for sale

"Here is another Porl item for sale. Its one of his amps that sold on auction recently (lot #10). This one sold for 140 pounds and is now up for about 800." (Thanks Leo)

Cure party in Germany

"22 Years ago - The Cure Prayer Tour After Show Party at Dark Flower in Leipzig, Germany

Meeting up on 04 / 08 / 2012 at 8.00 p.m. with "The Cure Fans" at "Festwiese am Zentralstadion" to chill out, laugh and take some drinks together. Afterwards chill-out party at "Dark Flower - Alternative Club (2nd Floors)": Independent Complex meets
The Cure Special: Musik by Dj Knüpfi & DJ Wilco.

And when it rains, we'll meet up at 10 p.m. at Dark Flower : Watch out and further information here." (Thanks Wilco)

25 years ago tonight

It was 25 years ago tonight that I saw The Cure live for the very first time. And for only $15! My seat wasn't the best, but not bad for buying tickets just 2 weeks before the show. Thanks to mom for buying it for me at the Maison Blanche in the Oakwood Mall.

What sold me on the show? Had to be this description in the New Orleans Times-Picayune of them being "a bizarre British pop/rock band". How could I resist? :)

This was the preview article from the New Orleans Times-Picayune (most likely from the Lagniappe section on July 24th, 1987), which featured an interview with Lol. Love how he casually mentions that they have some new guy, Roger O'Donnell, on keyboards with them for this tour. :)

NME's 100 Greatest Tracks Of Its Lifetime

'Boys Don't Cry' is #16 on NME's 100 Greatest Tracks Of Its Lifetime. Does anyone have the full list? Any other songs make it? (Thanks @JodieSometimes)

You can also vote for 'Boys Don't Cry' in the readers' poll.
Update (July 25th, 2012): 'Boys Don't Cry' finished 6th in the reader's poll.

Making of the Just Like Heaven video

Posted about this back on March 7th, but Tim Pope has brought it up again in the last few days, so worth mentioning again. And since he's posted it for free on Vimeo, I guess it's okay to link to the video now. Also check out Tim's website for lots of other great Cure clips. And follow him on Twitter, too.

SummerCure shirts at the Cure Store

7 SummerCure shirts have been added to The Cure Store.

Update (July 21st, 2012): Hungry Ghost & Lullaby t-shirts, along with a new badge set, have been added.

Update (July 24th, 2012): The full line of the SummerCure 2012 Hearts merchandise has been added to the store. (Thanks Paul)

Porl's Carter Instruments Hybrid 8 on ebay

"this sold at the auction recently for 800 pounds and is up on ebay already. btw, it is horribly damaged, not at all as originally described at the auction calling it "minor cracks" now it is seriously broken in my opinion." (Thanks Leo)

Update (July 23rd, 2012): "The last time I sent you the news, the guitar was taken down the same day. But it's back up on ebay again." (Thanks Leo)

From The Sea To The Desert DVD

Jo Quail & friends - From The Sea To The Desert (Oct. 6th, 2011)
From Roger on Twitter: "Very proud to have been a part of this amazing evening of music and now you can own the DVD! Quite a nice Moog solo!"

Robert press conference at Vieilles Charrues

Robert Smith: l'interview by france3Bretagne
Some more from this at France 3 (English).
Update (July 22nd, 2012): More video clips (English) have been added. (Thanks Aaron)

In this clip, Robert says that The Cure will be recording during this month off from shows. But Roger says that will be a little difficult as they are all going on holiday. :)

In this clip, Robert says he likes to record songs at home for himself and send the MP3s to Simon to get his take on them. So, yes, there will be new stuff eventually, but it doesn't matter to him when they do it.

And in this clip, Robert says Mixed Up 2, with remixes by Mogwai (doing Faith), Cranes, and other favorite bands, will be out before Xmas, and Cure fans will love it. Another lie? Well, not the Mogwai Faith part. I asked Stuart (@plasmatron) about it, here's his answer - "we are going to. It’s not done yet though. Can’t wait!"

Robert participated in the post-show press conference at the festival. Video will be posted later, they say. Brief report from Ouest France (English). Photo 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

Update (July 21st, 2012): Brief video (translator speaks over Robert) from AFP. (Thanks @curefans)
TMNews also has a bit of it and a report on the show, and again, the translator speaks over Robert.

Brigitte with Robert at Vieilles Charrues 2012

From Facebook: French band Brigitte with Robert, backstage at Vieilles Charrues on July 20th, 2012. (Thanks David)

Close Encounters Rock in Roma 2012

Giorgio with Jason at Rock in Roma on July 9th, 2012.
(Thanks Giorgio)

Close Encounters Milan 2012

 "The day after the show in Milan, after some sightseeing, i was getting back to the hotel to pack and fly to Rome, when i saw the band leaving the hotel. It was the same hotel i was in!!! And i did not notice aything different there before!

So, i caught Robert, thanked him for the amazing concert and asked for a picture. After that, saw another van. Went there and there was the rest of the guys! Thanked again for the concert, took a picture and told Simon i was from Brazil and was going to attend 4 concerts (Milan, Rome, Bilbao and Lisbon). He was so surprised! He even thanked me for what i was doing!!!!

Amazing! Best day ever!!!" (Thanks Luciano)

Director Cosimo Alemà talks about The Cure

In this article from Corriere Della Sera (English), Italian director Cosimo Alemà talks about his love for The Cure, and how their videos have influenced him. (Thanks fmjews)