Robert Smith, guitarist

"Interesting article (English translation) about Robert and how he hasn't been recognized as a major guitar player."
(Thanks chachachadc)

Interview with Lol

Lol did an interview for Dead Dave's Radio tonight. Listen here.

'Apart' remix for Underworld 4 soundtrack

Update: You can listen to the full track on YouTube and at 91X.
(Thanks @weekendbernie and Andreas)

Danny Lohner is working on a remix of 'Apart' for the 'Underworld: Awakening' movie soundtrack: dannylohner - i still can't get over the fact that when i solo the vocal channel- i hear Robert Smith serenading me a capella?! #Underworld4-ApartRemix (Thanks J.)

As you might remember, The Cure also appeared on the Underworld: Rise of the Lycans soundtrack, with 'Underneath the Stars (Renholder remix)'.

Update (12-14): dannylohner - 2nd b-day spent remixing THE CURE! i remxd UnderneathTheStars 4the last Underworld sndtrk w @millajovovich @mjkeenan tinyurl.com/76oqm2p ;)
Update (12-31): NME and Film Music Reporter have reports about this. (Thanks Dom)
Update (01-06): Hear a sample at Amazon and another one here. (Thanks TheCure-Collector)
Update (01-17): Out now at Amazon, iTunes, and all of the usual places.

Fan made Cure videos

Faith (Rome June 4th, 1989) by Vicky
Want & Faith by MafiaEMafiaTV
(Thanks Vicky and Leonor)

Rock in Roma "exclusive" set

So the Rock in Roma website says The Cure will be doing a nearly 3 hour "exclusive" set there, including "unreleased" songs. Maybe they mean b-sides?
Update: No, looks like it was just a bad translation. In fact, I'd ignore the whole thing. If there's going to be "exclusive" sets anywhere, I'm sure Robert will say something about it.

History of the Sythesizer

iCrates Magazine has a feature on the History of the Synthesizer with Roger.

Matthieu Hartley update

Matthieu Hartley's new band, Icicle Thieves, plays The Brunswick in Brighton on Jan. 21st. (Thanks Beto)

Is this the festival map?

(Update: We have a definitive answer about the map. It's fan made. See here. )

Is this the original version of the map image that Robert posted a few days ago? Or just someone getting creative? Thanks to Matt/TheSmudge for finding it at the Latitude Festival forum. It's originally from Openairguide.net. So just assuming for the moment that it could be real, can anyone connect these dots to actual festivals?
Obviously the map is unconfirmed and not official in any way. Just something fun to look at and consider for now.

A - Portugal (July 14th Optimus Alive)
B - Spain (July 12th-13th Bilbao BBK)
C - Spain (June 1st Primavera Sound)
D - France (June 29th-July 1st Les Eurockeennes)
E - France (July 20th Festival Vielles Charrues)
F - Netherlands (May 26th Pinkpop Festival)
G - Switzerland?
H - Italy (July 7th Heineken Jammin')
I - Italy (July 9th Rock in Roma)
J - Germany (June 22nd-24th Southside Festival)
K - Denmark (July 5th-8th Roskilde Festival)
L - Sweden (June 14th-16th Hultsfred Festival)
M - Germany (June 22nd-24th Hurricane Festival)
N - Austria (Aug. 18th Frequency Festival)
O - Russia (June 11th Maxidrom)
P - No P on map
Q - England (Aug. 24th & 25th Reading & Leeds Festivals)
R - Ireland (Sept. 1st Electric Picnic)
(Thanks The Smudge, Danny, Moggieboy, John, Perfect.Murder)

Bettie Page's Plastic Passion

From the Who Knew? file: Bettie Page did a video for The Cure's 'Plastic Passion'. : ) (Thanks @moggieboy)

Cure Glastonbury 1990

Aired on BBC Radio 6's Live Music Hour. (Thanks Aaron and Benj)

Dresden Dolls borrow a RS-1000

"The DRESDEN DOLLS did a 'ninja gig' in a park in Fremantle (Australia) this afternoon...Brian used my Robert Smith acoustic for the show :) They even played 'Inbetween Days'! (i have video!) he was really impressed with the RS-1000... I made him give it back though! That's me with them in the last pic :)" (Thanks Brad)

History made: The Cure, Wellington

Article about The Cure in New Zealand 1981.
(Thanks Kate and Aaron)

Vive Le Rock #5: The Four Ages of Bob

Scans of a new Cure article in issue #5 of Vive Le Rock magazine. (Thanks Perfect.Murder)

Schecter 2012 Cure models

Schecter just posted their 2012 catalog. Here are the new Robert and Simon models.


Schecter just posted this on their Facebook page.

Rumor: Cure to play Reading & Leeds?

It's one of those days where the rumors are flying all around. Here's a new one that would make a lot of fans happy IF it's true:
"a good friend of mine who i would class as a reliable source called me rather excited as he has been informed by a UK promoter The Cure will be playing the Reading/Leeds festivals in late August. Official announcements are not due until March but i guess 'watch this space' ". (Thanks John)

Again, keep an eye on the official site for any confirmations and official news on all of these rumored shows.

And just to be absolutely clear, as of today, The Cure have not announced/confirmed ANY shows for 2012.

Rumor: Cure play Pinkpop festival in May?

"It is rumored that the Cure will play The Pinkpop festival in The Netherlands in the weekend of 26-28 May. This morning radio 3FM dj Giel had a phone conversation with the organizer and he said that they have been on the shortlist for a couple of years. He confirmed that there have been negotiations before Christmas, but nothing definitive yet. The organizer memorized the epic 1986 Cure performance at The Pinkpop festival which helped ‘save’ the festival which experienced some bad years…..especially in 1985." (Thanks Peter)

"According to the website festileaks.com will the Cure play Pinkpop. Jan Smeets, the big Pinkpop boss, seems to spread the word, but he will not officially confirm it." (Thanks Anja)

Just another rumor at this time, and nothing confirmed or official. As always, until a show is listed at the official site, it isn't happening. But lets hope for some good news soon.

Robert & Simon 4Tour photos

"I was looking into some of my old pics of THE CURE and among others I discovered these from 4TOUR MUNICH 25/FEB/2008 with Robert and Simon before the show I never uploaded… nice to see Simon with red hair again! : )" (Thanks @marsworld)

Musikexpress Heroes: The Cure

Part 7 of the Musikexpress (English translation) series features The Cure. (Thanks David)

'Killing an Arab' articles in France

Couple of recent French articles that mention the 'Killing an Arab' "controversy". Allo Music (English) takes a look at racism in English rock, And Novo Press (English) laments the changing of the title to 'Killing Another' on the Bestival CD. (Thanks David)
And as most of you are aware, Robert changed it back to Arab at the recent Reflections shows.

Problems with Cure Trainers?

Charles got this email just before Christmas:
"We are writing to you with regard to the order you have placed with us for The Cure Trainers. We have recently received the Cure Trainers into our warehouse and very sadly they have failed our quality checking process. We are in urgent talks with our suppliers to investigate how to resolve the manufacturing quality. We are aware how long you have been waiting for these items and have therefore taken the decision to refund you for these items today. The money will be in your account immediately but may take up to 5 working days to appear on your statement. Please accept our sincere apologies at having to disappoint you. Rest assured we will get back in contact with you if we achieve a positive outcome and can advise that the trainers are available. Kindest regards, The Sandbag Team"
Did anyone get any? If so, which style?