Support the Indies!

"I work at an indie record store in Denver and I wonder if we can be posted along with the big boxes (best buy, amazon......) as a store that carries the singles. We've got the import 7"s as well. and we do mail order. www.twistandshout.com " (Thanks Dawn)

And so that you don't have to search:
Only One cd / 7"
Freakshow cd / 7"
Sleep When I'm Dead cd / 7"

Singles in Argentina on Aug. 7th

"a communication from Universal Argentina :the singles Freakshow and Only One will be released August 7th in Argentina." (Thanks to Ariel @ Curerarities)

No traction for The Cure in Toronto?

"On the afternoon of July 26, I sent e-mails to Alan Cross, the programming director and host of The Ongoing History of New Music, and Don Mitchell, the music director, of Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge regarding the lack of airplay of The Cure's last three singles, including the current one. Late night yesterday, I actually got a response from Alan! Here's what he said:

"Thanks for the note! We’ve been looking at the Cure’s new material during our music meetings and researching it with our audience, but for some reason, the new stuff is having a hard time gaining traction with them. It’s weird. We’ll keep at it, though…"

Alan Cross"

Update: "I mentioned before that I contacted both the program and music directors for 102.1 The Edge in Toronto, and my response from Program Director Alan Cross was posted a few days ago. Well, guess what? I heard back from their Music Director/Assistant Program Director Don Mitchell yesterday, and this is what he had to say...

"Hi Shawn. We do spend a large amount of money on music research. It involves Phone, Online and Auditorium surveys. We try new songs on them (like the Cure), and sometimes they just don’t take off. Unfortuantely, to stay competitive in the tough TO radio market we simply can’t play everything and have to choose the songs that will make the quickest impression on our listeners. Thanks for the query. dm"

Taking the easy way out in the name of money. The 102.1 of today is so far removed from the 102.1 of the late '80s that had no set format and played bands such as Skinny Puppy. I guess that it's really no surprise that their market share dropped and that they've never surpassed or even tied it since the change. It's really too bad."

(Thanks Shawn-W)

Drowning Man / Other Voices in Charlotte

The Drowning Man & Other Voices live in Charlotte (6/16/08)
(Thanks easycure13)

NIN Lights in the Sky tour coverage

I know there are a bunch of NIN fans who read COF, and I just wanted to make sure you are aware of the excellent coverage being offered for the Lights In The Sky Over North America tour.
Rob has been posting photos from the road and the shows at the NIN website.
Those photos are being archived at the NINblog Archive, and you can view the setlists and live videos at the NIN Tour Video Archive. Fantastic job guys!

And I can't believe they played In This Twilight at the Seattle show! And now Vessel in Edmonton!

Update: The Seattle show is up on Dime and Nintorrents in FLAC, and you can get it in mp3 on sendspace (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)

Secret Language of Cure Tattoos

Rev. Heron has posted another interesting article, The Secret Language of Cure Tattoos. (Thanks Heron)

Cure stuff for sale

"I know you do not normally do this but I just wanted to make other cure fans aware that after over 25 years of cure collecting I have finally decided to sell it on.

I will not be selling it through Ebay as I refuse to give them the extra profit. I will be sending out a list to all who want one and they can send in their offers.

I have most things people want acetates (inc a killing an arab small wonder acetate on prt) test pressings promos (inc 3 track top promo and the forest oz promo c/w folder which sold for over $5000 on ebay last month !) gig posters and tickets from 1978 - present.

I am still doing the list but if any of your readers would like one when its done please email me at jsanders77@aol.com"
(Thanks John)

"My wife created a cool Robert Smith themed My Little Pony, would you mind posting this up on COF so Cure fans get a chance to see and or bid on this?"
(Thanks Tomas/Untitled)

Charts update

Sleep When I'm Dead
Australia - drops to #44 (2nd week).
Germany - enters at #80.
UK - drops off the chart after one week.

The Only One
France - drops to #80.

(Thanks Jo and Pietro)

Cure album certifications in the UK

Japanese Whispers - Silver (Jan. 20th, 1984)

The Top - Silver (May 2nd, 1984)

Faith - Silver (Feb. 18th, 1985)

The Head on the Door - Silver (Oct. 29th, 1985), Gold (Dec. 9th, 1985)

Standing on a Beach - Silver (May 20th, 1986), Gold (June 17th, 1986)

Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me - Silver (June 11th, 1987), Gold (Aug. 18th, 1987)

Disintegration - Silver and Gold (May 5th, 1989)

Mixed Up - Silver and Gold (Nov. 26th, 1990)

Boys Don't Cry - Silver, Gold and Platinum (March 1st 1991)

Wish - Gold and Silver (May 1st, 1992)

The Cure - Silver (June 25th, 2004)

UK criteria for awards:
Silver = 60,000
Gold = 100,000
Platinum = 300,000

(Thanks to Peter and the BPI database)

I posted the US Data on July 18th.

Holy Hour in Charlotte

The Holy Hour - Live in Charlotte (6/16/08)
(Thanks Cat)

SWID soundscan numbers

The official numbers from Soundscan:
Sleep When I'm Dead sales - 18 (early leaks), 1684 (week 1),
1702 (total so far)

Also, Freakshow sold 771 copies in its first week of release in France.

(Thanks Peter)

Robert on SWID being #1

Robert has posted the news about SWID being the #1 single on the sales chart. He also posted the first reply. Robert, we are trying with the radio support, but we seem to be banging our heads against a brick wall! (Thanks V)

Update: Robert answered the question.

38 PLAYS!!! IN TOTAL ACROSS AMERICA IN 17 DAYS!!!

WELL IT STRUCK ME AS ODD...
MUST BE JUST I...
RSX

Secrets - The Cure fan special

"You may remember I was collecting "Cure stories" for the Birmingham (UK) website Hagley Road to Ladywood along with my colleagues. Well, after 3 months the project is ready and it's going to be a permanent feature.

The feature is called "Secrets", The Cure Fan Special - It's a permanent database of Cure fans' stories from all around the world. There are first-hand accounts of how people first discovered the Cure, the song(s) that got them hooked up and what the band meant, and still means, to their daily lives. It's a quirky collection of anecdotes, secrets, stories and memories. " (Thanks Claude)

Astrology of Disintegration

Rev. Heron has posted an interesting article entitled The Astrology of Disintegration. (Thanks Heron)

Charts update

Sleep When I'm Dead
US - enters at #1 on the Hot Singles Sales chart. (Wow!)
Spain - up to #1 (2nd week).
France - enters at #36.
Italy - enters at #12.
Europe - enters at #46.

Freakshow
US - up to #10 on the Hot Singles Sales chart (6th week).
Spain - drops to #3 (5th week).
France - drops to #66 (5th week).
Italy - up to #16 (5th week).

The Only One
US - up to #12 on the Hot Singles Sales chart (7th week).
Spain - drops to #4 (10th week).
Italy - drops to #31 (9th week).

(Thanks Ivan@Hispacure and David)

Robert talks about the remix ep

Robert has posted at the official site, with details about the Hypnagogic States remix ep(s?). (Thanks Alex)

Perfect Boy artwork

(Thanks Figure Head)

Perfect Boy pre-orders

Some pre-order listings for The Perfect Boy are up:
Amazon (US) - 1.99
Amazon (UK) - 3.99
Amazon (Canada) - 2.99 (US import)
Amazon (Canada) - 11.99 (import)
Amazon (Germany) - 4.99 (UK 7"), 8.99 (US cd)
HMV (UK) - 1.99 (cd)
Ideal Copy - 2.99 (US cd), 7.99 (import cd), 8.99 (7")
Indietective - 4.99 (cd), 7.99 (7")
Best Buy- 9.99 (import?)
CD Universe - 13.99 (import?)

(Thanks to Zach for the Amazon/Best Buy info)

Photo update

Diana has posted her photos from the 4Tour, Curiosa, the Dream Tour, and some nice shots of Interpol too. (Thanks Diana)

Charts update

Sleep When I'm Dead
UK - enters at #68.
Australia - enters at #31 on the Top 50 Physical Singles chart

Freakshow
Europe - holds at #88 (4th week).
France - drops to #65 (4th week).

The Only One
France - up to #72 (9th week).

(Thanks Keith, Pietro and Bomber)