'Pornography' radio special in Italy

"I'm Richard Marra of Radio Zammù (Italy). I am writing to alert readers of Chain of Flowers that today at 6 pm, "Discocracy" will speak of Pornography by The Cure. We'll revisit the themes of the disc of 1982 and listen to the most significant tracks. Leading the editorial staff of ilcibicida.com, Italian musical webzine."
(Thanks Richard)

Happy Mardi Gras!

Wherever you're celebrating across the world, or even if you're trapped in some sad place that doesn't celebrate, but you have the spirit, have a very Happy Mardi Gras!

Entreat Plus for Record Store Day?

We might finally have an answer about the cancellation of the 'Entreat Plus' vinyl release in North America - it was being saved for Record Store Day 2011? Sunshine Records in Canada has it listed as a RSD exclusive. (Thanks Shawn)

Update (3/7/11): Just got confirmation from David at Sunshine Records: "The Cure Entreat Plus has been listed as an RSD title by Warner. A bunch of releases that were cancelled earlier are now coming as RSD titles."

Update 2 (3/23/11): Well the RSD release sheet doesn't have 'Entreat Plus' listed, so the mystery continues. I've heard that this isn't the final, set in stone list, and there's more that may be added (for instance, the list is also missing the Interpol 2011 remix EP that Matador Records has mentioned), so we'll wait and see. (Thanks We Listen For You)

Cure covers

Warm Ghost has a cover of 'All Cats Are Grey' on their new EP 'Uncut Diamond'. (Thanks Chris)

Lady Gaga samples 'Lullaby'?

Has Lady Gaga "sampled" a bit of 'Lullaby' in her new song 'Government Hooker'? Listen to that keyboard bit towards the end. Coincidence or intentional? (Thanks Aaron)

More memories from 1991

As we continue down memory lane, with our thoughts on the T&C 2 show, and the anticipation that was building for the 'Wish' album, here are some 'Wish' era press clippings I found in an old folder - reviews of T&C2 from Q (part 1 - part 2) and NME (this scan is from JC), and a very interesting Aug. 1991 article from Select (Album working title was 'Higher'? 'Anniversary' was written for 'Wish'? What was 'Decadence'? Talk of 'The Last Day of Summer', and titles of songs for Robert's solo album).

Update: More scans added. (Thanks JC/Perfect Murder)

John Martyn tribute out July 12th

Consequence of Sound reports that the long-awaited John Martyn Tribute album, 'Johnny Boy Would Love This', which features Robert Smith's cover of 'Small Hours' (you can read the lyrics there, too), will be released on July 12th.
The original story at Direct Current says there will also be a DVD released with interviews and footage from the recording sessions.

Roger at Synthetic update

Roger has posted two of the tracks he's working on, 'Flower' and 'Trees', for his show at Synthetic in South London at The Cavendish Arms on March 23rd. He's also playing at the Picture House in Exeter on March 17th. More info here.

He's also posted the first rough idea, 'Approach', for a new Charlie Crow album (Yes!), and some samples from his 'Scheherazade' project with cellist Julia Kent.

More pre-Wish release talk

With all of the talk and discussion about 'Wish' and the early versions of the songs which debuted 20 years ago at the T&C 2 secret show, John at the On Nights Like This blog has posted a couple of press clippings from those days, which talks about a slightly different track list for the album. (Thanks John)

Update: John has also posted photos of the merchandise he bought at the 'Wish' shows.

The Cure - Away (Cut) live at T&C 2 in 1991

Posting this because I've just been reminded of how much I love this early version of 'Cut'. Those early versions of the 'Wish' songs were fantastic. If for some reason you've never seen/heard them, also check out 'Wendy Time' and 'The Big Hand'.
(Thanks again for the reminders, Fred and melt05)

Update: And how about this fantastic demo version of 'Wendy Time'? A taste of what we might get on the 'Wish' remastered set. (Thanks JC, Brian, Ben)

Cure covers

Consequence of Sound reports that the Deftones' cover of The Cure's 'If Only Tonight We Could Sleep' will be included on their limited edition (5,000 copies) 'Covers' LP, which is being released for Record Store Day 2011 on April 16th.

Cure for sale page

Been getting a lot of requests to post Cure items for sale, so instead of saying no, or having them take up space on the front page, I'm putting them on their own page now.

Surprise! Cure in the studio!

Eden Gallup posted this yesterday on Facebook: "In the studio with the cure. Great to hear them playing again ! Surprises!" (Thanks Gildas)

Update: Clive makes an excellent point in the comments. Eden said they were "in the studio", but didn't say a recording studio. He could have just meant a rehearsal studio. So no confirmation of any actual recording going on right now. Sorry for jumping the gun on that.

Update 2: Not recording according to Eden's latest update: "To clear up some confusion, the cure were not recording anything new last week, just dusting of and getting together for 2011, looking forward etca"

Update 3: Received further confirmation on this. It was just a session to get together and play again, to try things out, so that future plans could be made.

Entreat Plus US vinyl canceled?

Update 2: Retailers are being told that the US/Canadian release has been canceled. If you want it, looks like you'll need to import it. (Thanks Mike and Steve)

Update: Insound has a new release date listed for March 22nd. If you don't want to wait to see if it comes out, Amazon UK seems to have it, but with an additional 5-9 day wait for shipping.
(Thanks Jeremiah and Deadboycraved)

What's happened to the US vinyl release of Entreat Plus? Originally scheduled for release on Jan. 11th, then pushed back to Feb. 22nd, it's now listed as "not available" by Amazon and CD Universe. A trusted friend contacted WEA about it, and was told "this thing disappeared…Not on any schedule anymore; was not released anywhere they were aware of in US…nor is anything else (scheduled) for remasters, dvds, etc."
(Thanks to Friend of CoF for helping with this)

Vote for Robert

Vote for Robert Smith in the NME Greatest Frontmen/women poll. (Thanks Aaron)

Meeting The Cure at Newcastle 92

John has posted a very nice account (including photographs, I love that one of Perry!) of meeting The Cure at Newcastle prior to the April 22nd, 1992 Wish Tour club show, at his blog, "On Nights Like This". (Thanks John)

Update: John has posted some more photos and press articles from the show.

Adele's cover of 'Lovesong'

Seems to be lots of renewed interest in Adele's cover of 'Lovesong', so here are some links I posted a month ago,
and some new ones:
Listen to the cover at Soulculture. (Thanks Jilly)
Adele talks about the cover and The Cure being her first concert.
Adele talks about The Cure being the soundtrack to her life while growing up, and performs a bit of it.
Live performance in NYC on Feb. 11th, 2011
Live performance in London on Jan. 24th, 2011.
Adele says this cover version was originally meant for Barbara Streisand. Was that going to be her revenge for the South Park episode? : )

'Lost Wishes' on ebay

A copy of the much sought after 'Lost Wishes' cassette is up on ebay. (Thanks Andy)

Porl Thompson paintings for sale

"UNIQUE 3 x Porl Thompson paintings! We have bought them ourselves in England, Gallery in St. Just! They never hung on the wall, one is even still in plastic! They are in heavy wooden frames. They are signed by Porl Thompson himself! Super unique in the Netherlands! They are 70 cm x 70 cm each! (WITH GLASS) Can not send them!! (TOO HEAVY AND FRAGILE)). The buyer gets also for free a book signed by Porl Thompson!" (Thanks Helmie)

At Helmie's request, please contact me if seriously interested, and I can forward your email along.

Lol and Roger updates

From Lol: "Check out next months SPIN: I did a little chat with them- You may find out things you didn't know! Also a photo you may not have seen!"

From Roger: "I met @_DeanFord yesterday for a weird synthesizer thing at the ICA and he managed to coerce me into performing at his Synthetic night 3/23! As I havent got new music to promote I am going to create some over the next three weeks. It will be a 3 part homage to my major influences.... and of interest to tech nerds I will be performing it using @audanika sound prism, @moogmusicinc two moog voyagers & a moog theremin! I might also fire up my Axis harmonic table keyboard and my Elektron machine drum.The stage will resemble the keyboard dept of a music shop! Im going to regularly broadcast the trials and tribulations of creating this show on my channel."