Cure Record Store Day 2014 release

Update (03/20/14): Now officially confirmed.

The Cure/Dinosaur Jr.
Side By Side Series
Format: 7" Vinyl
Label: Rhino
Release type: RSD Exclusive Release

The Side By Side series, which features an original song and a cover of the same song on one 7", continues for RSD 2014! This release is on white 45 RPM vinyl.

According to Rhino, it will be a limited edition of 6,800 (others say it's 5,000) and will sell for $6.98. Record Store Day is April 19th, 2014. (Thanks Shawn, willy0, Zack)

If you find it in your local record store, please let me know the city & state and store name & location, so I can add it to the list and help other fans who might be looking for it. Thanks!

Confirmed list of stores selling it:

Australia, Melbourne - Goldmine Records (photo).
Canada, Saint John, New Brunswick - Backstreet Records.
Netherlands, Utrecht - Plato Records.

Maryland, Baltimore (Fell's Point) - Soundgarden (said to have it, not confirmed).
Maryland, Baltimore (Hampden) - Celebrate Summer Records.
Maryland, Parkville - Shockwaves Records (said to have it, not confirmed).
Maryland, Towson - Tunes (according to staff, all Tunes should have some).
New York, Rochester - House of Guitars & Needledrop Records (both sold out now).
Ohio, Cincinnati -  Black Plastic (photo).
Oregon, Portland - Jackpot Records on Hawthorne.
Tennessee, Memphis - Goner and Shangril Records (both are sold out).
Texas, Fort Worth - Doc's Records on Camp Bowie.
Texas, Frisco - ZT Records (photo).

(Thanks @wichid1, @chrisleblanc79, @MarbleAndStone, Stacey, Craig W,, @MatthewVerkamp, Jerko, @thequeenofsiam, notquitefaust, @msretro,)

50 Best Alternative Albums of the '90s

Full list at Metroweekly.

13. The Cure - 'Wish' (1992)
By 1992, The Cure was at the peak of their commercial prowess. Their 1989 album Disintegration was widely hailed as a masterpiece, and it brought them new levels of success. Wish rode that momentum all the way at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. They were playing in large arenas all over the world. Fortunately The Cure had the best line-up of their existence, including the fantastic Boris Williams on drums (he’d leave after this album), Porl Thompson and Perry Bamonte on guitar and keyboard, Simon Gallup on bass and of course Robert Smith on whatever he wants at any given moment. For Wish, The Cure went back to the formula that worked for 1987’s Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me -- it’s a dizzying quilt-work of styles, from hard-rocking psychedelic epics like the hallucinatory opener “Open,” the massive centerpiece of the album “From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea,” and the violent waves of guitar on the gripping finale “End.” Then there’s Robert Smith’s euphoric pop side, which is explored on tracks like the ebullient “High”, the sunny pop/rocker “Friday I’m in Love” and the absolutely giddy “Doing the Unstuck.” There are also some beautiful ballads, like the heartsick “Apart,” and the two delicate tracks that form the core of the album’s second half: “Trust” and “To Wish Impossible Things.” Wish is sometimes undervalued in light of the brilliance of its predecessors, but that’s unfair. It’s arguably The Cure’s last truly great album. (Thanks @banditFFX)

Andy Anderson interview

Our friend Bianca interviewed Andy Anderson for Exclama magazine. Here's an excerpt:

"Are there any special memories you'd like to share with us about your work with Robert Smith?

Working with Robert Smith, was a unique and enriching experience. He knows exactly what he wants from each song, each sound, each letter; what makes, for me, the process of creation is very interesting and special. It is unique in its form and manner and allowed me to add my own approach and feel each track, so ultimately it was a very affable and huge content for my experience. It was a very happy time in my life."

(Thanks and congratulations, Bianca!)

New issue of 'The 13th' fanzine

Issue #8 of The Cure fanzine 'The 13th' has been released, and features an interview with Cindy Levinson from Levinhurst. Read it here. (Thanks Diego)

Simon Gallup to be on Naked Lunch

During today's interview with Tim Pope on her Soho Radio show Naked Lunch, Simone said Simon Gallup will be a guest on an upcoming show! No date given, but I'll update as soon as I know. Tim mentioned she should "get him on to Doctor Who. He loves Doctor Who". Yes, please! :)

And in case you've missed all of Simon's tributes & shoutouts to DW, I've been keeping track of them here.

Tim Pope on Radio Soho today

With @simonemarie4 at @sohoradio today playing tracks, talking Bowie, Iggy, Cure, etc., new projects. 2-4 recording show, then on their site
— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) April 15, 2014

Photo of Tim posted by @sohoradio on Instagram. And another from @simonemarie4.

Interview is up. Just click on Naked Lunch Episode 2

Tim assures us that he has it on the HIGHEST authority, that the LatAm film will be put together. It will actually happen. "It will be put together, so please stop asking me about it". :)

Win BottleRock single day passes

Follow us on @instagram @bottlerocknapa & guess our lyrical quote to win a pair of #BRNV14 single day passes #29DaysApril ~CT
— BottleRock Napa (@BottleRockNapa) April 1, 2014

You really might want to try this. A bunch of fans have already won. Get Instagram and follow @botlerocknapa on there and on Twitter. When they post that day's lyric quiz, and there's no set time for when they'll post it, be the 1st to name the artist & song title on Instagram, along with the #BRNV14 tag, and you win a pair of 1 day passes. Good luck!

Update (04/19/14): And now they're starting another giveaway.
"Get ready for a little scavenger hunt Napa Valley! The Easter Bunny is busy stashing ‪#‎BRNV14‬ tickets all over the valley. We'll post several clues a day over the next five days to help you find your prize! Hippity hop..." Follow them on Twitter & Facebook for the clues to finding the location where the tickets are hidden.

Tim posts Video Killed the Radio Star special

OK, this is going to be on my website for a limited time - a TV prog on The Cure vids - enjoy! http://t.co/eVHrElgMIC
— Tim Pope (@timpopedirector) April 11, 2014

And Tim has now removed it.

Cure Radio 1 sessions on 6 Music Live Hour

"3 songs ("One Hundred Years', 'Let's Go To Bed', 'Just One Kiss') from The Cure's 1982 BBC Radio 1 session playing at 6 Music Live Hour. Available for 7 days." (Thanks @ian_c_reid)

HispaCure interview with Andy Anderson

"I'm Miriam from HispaCure, The Official Cure fans in Spain. I will have an interview by email with Andy Anderson, if the people have any questions for Andy, send them to miriams74(at)yahoo(dot)es. Questions in English please."
(Thanks Miriam)

Update (06/17/14): Here's the interview.

Update on Roger's 'Love & Other Tragedies'

From Roger on Facebook: "So I have some interesting updates on this project which I wrote originally for Julia Kent. Both Julia and I have been very busy over the last couple of years and we thought we would be unable to complete it together. I went in the studio with two amazing musicians before Christmas Francesca Ter-Berg and Jo Quail to try and complete the album but in my heart I knew that it had to be Julia. So we decided to wait and now it is nearing completion. Julia sent me a song last night that she had finished and it is so beautiful it took my breath away.

I think we will probably release it in July to coincide with a very special performance in London in collaboration with another a very very special person. I can't talk about that yet but... It will be a double vinyl release and digital iTunes only."

Cure covers album to benefit animal shelter

Birthday Songs - A Collection of The Cure cover songs
This is a free/pay-what-you-want cover album.
All money donated will go to Farplace, a NO KILL animal shelter.
(Thanks Andrew, Roberta, Filip)

20 Artists Missing From the R & R Hall of Fame

From Yahoo:
18) The Cure: It's really annoying how many great British bands have been left out of the Hall. Sure, most of the 1960s bands all got in, but after that, no Brits need apply. The Cure were so incredibly versatile. I also vote for Bauhaus and the Sisters of Mercy. Just think — a Goth wing! No windows and you could save a bundle on lighting! (Thanks @kafdancer)

From Rolling Stone:
The Cure
Eligible since: 2003
Argument for induction: Whether or not you hold dear the Cure's contribution to Eighties goth trends, don't conflate that with their tremendous string of quirky pop albums over that decade and the next. Their maturation from late-Seventies art punks to kings of atmospheric moroseness mirrored a generation of misfits' own coming of angst. Robert Smith and co. still release relevant records today, but even if they ceased, say, 15 years in, we'd all still be dancing to "Just Like Heaven" and "Friday I'm in Love." (Thanks AndytheCurefan)

8 Songs That Are Genuinely Terrifying...

From Music Times:

8. The Cure - "Lullaby" (1989)
Most of the Cure's magnum opus Disintegration is more crushingly beautiful and romantic than anything else the band has released, but this brief detour into childhood nightmares is one of their best-loved songs, becoming their most successful single. It's probably the best-selling song about being eaten by a spider in history. (Thanks David)

Roger at Adam Donen's album launch tonight

In London this evening? You might want to pop into St Leonards in Shoreditch, don't let the hipsters deter you. @adamdonen Album launch!
— Roger O'Donnell (@RogerODonnell) April 4, 2014

I will be joining @adamdonen on the Piano Forte for a few songs and @_rafando are rather good as well and also launching their new album.
— Roger O'Donnell (@RogerODonnell) April 4, 2014

@adamdonen and I preparing for the performance tonight!! pic.twitter.com/BdhajmguHw
— Roger O'Donnell (@RogerODonnell) April 4, 2014

A few photos from Perfect.Murder.

Roger on Elegant Workflow podcast

I don't think I posted this last year, so here's an interview Roger did for the Elegant Workflow podcast back in July of 2013. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Robert dedicated 'Shake Dog Shake' to Andy

From Andy Anderson on Facebook: "Robert Smith, had dedicated Shake Dog Shake, to me, at the RAH on Saturday night, I didn't hear him say it, because I was sitting halfway back in the Box (my choice, so I could take some photo's) but the folks I was with, told me. I'm very honoured by that big time, and always will be. I met Robert after the show, for a quick chat, and it was like no time had passed between us at all." See/hear it here.

What the RAH shows were all about

Wonderful post from Reeves on Facebook:
"last weekend, thanks to the teenage cancer trust (tct), roger daltrey and royal albert hall – where i played two benefit shows for great audiences with my bandmates in the cure -- i had the wonderful opportunity to visit with two groups of teenagers from all over the u.k. who are at different stages in their fight with cancer. some are just beginning the fight... others are victorious and already giving back energy to their brothers and sisters in battle.
on saturday afternoon, i was invited to watch the tct gang perform 2 songs they had written about their time with the disease. it was an incredibly moving experience, made more powerful by their joy, bravery and determination in the face of the big C.
that is why we were performing... that is what put the fire and heart in our performances.
we played for all those that were there, all those we met and those we may never meet.
thank you teenage cancer trust for the honour and opportunity to help in some small way.
TCT's website"

Autographed Simon Bass up for charity auction

Auction for Simon Gallup from @thecure 's @Schecter_Guitar Ultra Spitfire Bass, signed by the band is here http://t.co/Y1j1j449y9 #ride4mb
— RideForMichael (@RideForMichael) March 23, 2014

For more about Michael, his story, and other ways to support him, check the Ride For Michael website.

Congratulations to the winning bidder! £2,751 raised to support Ride For Michael. Well done!

5 Reasons We Love The Cure

From Timeout London: Five Reasons We Love The Cure

1. Robert Smith isn’t as miserable as everyone thinks.
Often pegged as the lord of indie gloom, Cure frontman Robert Smith has written some of the most heartrending break-up songs of all time (‘Disintegration’, ‘Pictures of You’, ‘In Between Days’). Surprisingly, though, cheerful Bobby’s love life is pretty sorted: he’s been married since 1988 to his childhood sweetheart Mary Poole. They’re officially the world’s cutest goth couple: he was Tim Burton’s inspiration for Edward Scissorhands, she apparently ‘used to dress as a witch to scare little children’.

2. Age hasn’t mellowed him.
By the time they reach their mid-fifties, most rock frontmen have cut their hair and started dressing at least vaguely sensibly. Smith’s world-famous barnet – greasy, backcombed and thoroughly frazzled – is more out of control than ever, and he’s still rocking the lipstick and eyeliner look that he made de rigueur for sensitive teens in the ’80s. He’s 54. Star.

3. Their first proper frontman was Peter O’Toole.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t the late star of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ but a ‘demon footballer and Bowie fan’ from the band’s home town of Crawley. He sang with them for a few months in 1977 then went to work on a kibbutz in Israel, leaving Smith in charge. The rest is goth-pop history.

4. They had the best band nicknames.
Laurence ‘Lol’ Tolhurst met Smith when they were both five years old, and went on to play drums and keyboards for The Cure for 13 years. Which means that for more than a decade, a key member of the UK’s mopiest pop group was called Lol.

5. They never leave an audience wanting more.
The Cure’s 32-song Bestival set in 2011 lasted two-and-a-half hours.Their last few tours have seen them perform three albums back to back, plus encores. Okay, their tickets aren’t cheap – but you can’t deny that you get plenty of Bob for your buck.