Airborne Toxic Event love The Cure

Strange Girl - The Cure was my favorite band growing up. This song is about the song “The Perfect Girl”...

— Airborne Toxic Event (@Airborne_Toxic) September 5, 2014

... and all those great Cure songs to which I knew every single word and how much music can mean to you when you’re a kid...

— Airborne Toxic Event (@Airborne_Toxic) September 5, 2014

....and how as you get older you hold tighter to ANYTHING that means as much to you...

— Airborne Toxic Event (@Airborne_Toxic) September 5, 2014

...as a song did when you were fifteen years old. @Mikel_Jollett http://t.co/QQYZglavua

— Airborne Toxic Event (@Airborne_Toxic) September 5, 2014

Help from Toronto?

If you're going to Toronto Riot Fest and wouldn't mind helping me with the live setlist reports, please let me know. Can be done via email, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, text, or whatever works best for you.

This is the only one of the three Riots that I'll have to bother you with this, as I'll be able to do the updates from Chicago & Denver myself. :)

Denver Riot Fest shuttles

From Riot Fest on Facebook: "Need a ride to or from Sports Authority Field at Mile High for Riot Fest? Our friends at Illegal Pete’s have got just the thing for you! Illegal Pete’s is offering shuttle rides to and from the festival each day from 2 of their locations: Denver $10 & Boulder $25 with beer and burrito"

Not really sure why anyone would need this in the city, as Denver has an excellent Light Rail system, with a stop right at Mile High. Still, it's good to have options.

'Fantastic Guitars' out now

From Reeves on Facebook: "Fantastic Guitars' by Reeves Gabrels & Bill Nelson has been released. We loved making this album; hope you'll enjoy it too.
Available exclusively online via Bill's website. Limited edition CD, worldwide shipping, quick fulfillment.
http://www.billnelson.com/html/salon/fant_guitars.php

"Front cover abstract image by Bill Nelson from a Martin Bostock photograph." All rights reserved; full image may be shared on social media to promote the album. Thank you."

Update (07/25/14): From Reeves on Facebook - "Today (Fri) from 5:30-6pm (US Central time) hear 'Fantastic Guitars' on Radio Free Nashville. Streams at www.radiofreenashville.org -- Bill Nelson & I had fun making this record; please give it a listen."

Update (08/15/14): From Reeves on Facebook - "if you're lucky enough to be near Troy, New York, my friends at Collar City Guitars have a handful in stock."

Update (09/04/14): From Reeves on Facebook - "Released today for digital download: 'Fantastic Guitars' by Reeves Gabrels & Bill Nelson. It's instrumental and we recorded it on real guitars, sitting together in a small room. (No wave forms were chopped in the making of this album.)
I think of it as a series of guitar conversations between friends; Bill calls it "six-string cinema."
Available exclusively via:
http://www.billnelson.com/html/salon/fant_guitars.php

Limited edition CDs are also available at the same link."

Toronto Riot Fest map & set times

The set times are out, and The Cure will get 1 hour & 45 minutes. Playing 9 - 10:45 PM on the Riot Stage.

Though listed for only 105 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if they play for a full 120. Curfew is 11 PM, so you know Robert will use every extra minute he can.

Also, some bad news for those of you hoping to see Thurston Moore in Toronto or Chicago - "Unfortunately, Thurston Moore, will be unable to perform in Toronto or Chicago due to unforeseen visa issues."

Update (09/04/14): As expected, the schedule has been adjusted. The Cure get 10 more minutes. You'll get your full 2 hour set. (Thanks @areyounormal) 

Win passes to Chicago Riot Fest

Final day to enter this one - Win airfare, hotel accommodations, 3 day VIP passes, and aftershow tickets from Rabbl.

And help me out with this. If you enter my referral code, RF28048, you will double your entry and give me 5 bonus entries. Thanks! Then when you get your code, get your friends and family to enter and use your code.

Thank you so much, Erin, John, Marni, Whitney, Ghn, Crystal, Neil, Grant, Cheryl, Abigayle, Sam, Martina, Nadie, Emma, Jacqueline, Kathleen, Frederick, Tanqueray, Jeff, Aiyana, Bethany, Jesse, Michael, Casey, Fernando, Red, Kelly, Thomas, William, Yuji, Chris, Simon, Andy, Anji, and Summer, for using my code!  You guys are awesome! 

Update (09/03/14): More chances to win from 101 WKQK and AbsolutePunk.

Deal on Toronto Riot Fest passes

TravelZoo currently has 1 day passes for $59, 2 day passes for $99, 1 day VIP for $105, and 2 day VIP for $199.  An additional fee of $13-$24 per ticket will apply. (Thanks Brad).

Direct links if you don't want to sign up with TravelZoo - Saturday passes, Sunday passes, 2 day passes.

Reeves on Players Din Episode 1

"Jeff Brown invites his side musician friends over to his basement to record improvised jam sessions. Episode 1 features Reeves Gabrels on guitar, Travis Vance on bass, Tyson Rogers on keyboard and Jeff Brown on drums."

The Cure on World Cafe 2008

Yesterday's Vintage Cafe on NPR featured The Cure on World Cafe from 2008. Interview and live tracks from the 4Tour show in Philadelphia. Listen here.

Cure in Orange 35mm tonight in Austin

The great Alamo Drafthouse Ritz in Austin, TX are showing a 35mm print of 'The Cure in Orange' again at 9:30 tonight.

Riot Fest food vendor lists

"Chicago: We’re happy to welcome over 50 food vendors to the fest this year to help satisfy all of your carnivorous, omnivorous, vegetarian, and vegan needs! Toronto and Denver, your food vendors will be unveiled this week too!"

Update (08/27/14): Toronto! You finally got something announced today! Too bad it's just your food vendor list, but hey, it's something.
Wait, you finally get your FAQ, too.
They have to release your map, & schedule soon, right?

"This year’s Riot Fest & Expo in Toronto, ON will feature a wide array of food options sure to cover the bases for any taste palate. Whether you’re craving carnival food, a burger, tacos, or some dessert, these 20+ vendors will have delicious fixings to satisfy your hunger and taste buds!"

Update (08/29/14): And nere's your list, Denver. "We are pleased to announce the official RIOT FEAST! Check out all the goodness these amazing vendors will provide this September. We're hungry..."

More Porl items up for auction

Some more items from Porl Thompson are being auctioned.

Lot 20 - PORL THOMPSON OF THE CURE - collection of items owned and used by Porl during tours with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and The Cure to include spiked leather wrist cuff, 2 x guitar straps (1 x black/1 x white), black velvet pin striped sleeve with velcro fastenings, Paul's backstage pass for 'The Cure 4 Tour' 2007/8, Ontek Lifeguard guitar humidifier model 100S and a small tin containing 16 x plectrums (9 are personalised with Porl's name). Also included is a small 12 page booklet with images of the band which has some water damage.

Lot 21 - PORL THOMPSON OF THE CURE - collection of items owned and used by Porl during tours with Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and The Cure to include spiked leather wrist cuff, 2 x backstage passes for 'The Cure 4 Tour' 2007/8 in Porl's name, black Seymour Duncan guitar strap and 8 personalised guitar plectrums. (Thanks Perfect.Murder and @HaloCure13)

Win passes to Denver Riot Fest

Win passes from Greeblehaus.

"WIN (2) THREE DAY passes to #riotfestdenver courtesy of #MyxedUp and @SodaJerkCO! Just stop in any Myxed Up store & ask to sign up!"

Guitar World's 10 Stellar Headphone Albums

From Guitar World:

The Cure, Disintegration (1989)
They say that guitarist Robert Smith was using hallucinogenic drugs throughout the coarse of this beautifully textured album. Like Hendrix’s Electric Ladyland, the sound of the album reflects his trippy state of mind. Listening to Disintegration under headphones is like stepping into someone else’s dream—and a rather dark one, at that. (Thanks Greg)

Another great Lego set

My new #TheCureinLego set. Studio Davout, Paris 1982 :) more pics : http://t.co/lDEM5599Jq #Lego #TheCure @CraigatCoF pic.twitter.com/8gB4tuphEB

— Guillaume G_z (@guillaume_g_z) August 27, 2014

#RobertSmith from @thecure in 1982 at Studio Davout, Paris, in #Lego More pics at http://t.co/lDEM5599Jq @CraigatCoF pic.twitter.com/jOzIW3SZbH

— Guillaume G_z (@guillaume_g_z) August 27, 2014

Chicago Riot Fest Aftershows announced

Also, Television has been added to the Riot Fest lineup on Sept. 13th, replacing Marky Ramone.

Update (08/26/14): Some changes & additions. From Riot Fest on Facebook - "Chicago. We just added some Aftershows, well technically they are pre-parties. The Murder City Devils at Double Door. Also, we know that tickets for the Television Aftershow went very quickly, so to give more people an opportunity to see them, the show has been moved to Sunday, September 14th at Bottom Lounge. Tickets are on sale now, get them while they're still available! http://riotfest.org/chicago-official-shows/" 

More bands for Denver Riot Fest

From Riot Fest on Facebook: "DENVER. JUST ADDED: STRUNG OUT, Frnkiero and the Cellabration, Baby Baby, The Picturebooks, All Out Helter, Wiredogs, Brick + Mortar, Only Crime, Touche Amore, The Epilogues, The Dendrites, and In The Whale.
Tickets on sale now!! http://riotfest.org/denver/tickets/
SHARE or COMMENT for a chance to WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS!"

They've also added one more aftershow:
Sunday Sept. 21st
THE EXPENDABLES
w/ Passafire
MARQUIS THEATER - 2009 LARIMER ST.
DOORS: 10 PM - ALL AGES
BUY HERE

Andy Vella interview

From Classic Rock: 

A book featuring rare and previously unseen photographs of The Cure is set for release next month.

Collated by the band's official photographer Andy Vella, Obscure will be released on September 18 and includes a foreword by frontman Robert Smith.

Smith says the book is "dreadfully funny, terribly honest and strangely melancholic."

Vella co-created the artwork for many of The Cure's albums, including Faith, The Top, The Head On The Door, Disintegration and Wish, and has worked with the band since 1981.

The book features photographs spanning four decades and includes shots from this year's gig at The Royal Albert Hall.

"I get something different from Robert because I've known him for so long", Vella tells Classic Rock. "He plays to my lens in a completely different way to others. When I'm photographing other people, for example fashion shoots, it's very much like I'm in charge, but when I photograph The Cure, they are. Quite often, the band don't take me very seriously: Boris Williams [former drummer] used to throw stuff at me, while Roger O'Donnell would always say that my flash hadn't gone off. As a result, I'm able to capture the band enjoying themselves in a way that isn't usually seen.

"It really annoys me when I read about the band being such miserable bastards, because they're really not, and I think I capture that. I want Cure fans to see them in the way that I do. You can go on the web and see loads of shots of Robert, but the problem with press shoots is that they always show the band in a certain way. This is different: it's a little bit fly-on-the-wall.

"I think fans will end up loving the band more than they do already. When I was putting this all together, I was thinking 'there's so much stuff!', but it feels like a really powerful collection. It's not pretentious, and it's not po-faced: from page to page, it's more like a documentary. And that's what I wanted."

Obscure is available now to pre-order from Foruli Codex. 
(Thanks David)

Some recent Cure articles

"Strange Days: an expression of sounds", part one 1977-1979
"Strange Days: an expression of sounds", part two taster

Lost & Found: Where’s the Cure’s Horn Section and Robert Smith’s Crazy Hair?

The Cure ditched the wallowing and tried to get laid

(Thanks @godwinafaith, @TacchinoGigante, and David)

Cure on recent "Best of" lists

'Boys Don't Cry' is #70 on BBC Radio 2's Greatest Guitar Riffs. (Thanks @Stigmurder)

'Friday I'm In Love' is #40 on Absolute Radio's Top 100 Songs of the 90s. (Thanks @AaronLaw92)