The Cure

  • Crawley, England
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  • 1976
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About The Cure

Official Site: http://thecure.com/


Out of all the bands that emerged in the immediate aftermath of punk rock in the late '70s, few were as enduring and popular as the Cure. Led through numerous incarnations by guitarist/vocalist Robert Smith (born April 21, 1959), the band became notorious for its slow, gloomy dirges and Smith's ghoulish appearance, a public image that often hid the diversity of the Cure's music. At the outset, the Cure played jagged, edgy pop songs before slowly evolving into a more textured outfit. As one of the bands that laid the seeds for goth rock, the group created towering layers of guitars and synthesizers, but by the time goth caught on in the mid-'80s, the Cure had moved away from the genre. By the end of the '80s, the band had crossed over into the mainstream not only in its native England, but also in the United States and in various parts of Europe. The Cure remained a popular concert draw and reliable record-seller rhroughout the '90s, and their influence could be heard clearly on scores of new bands during the new millenium, including many that had little to do with goth.

Originally called the Easy Cure, the band was formed in 1976 by schoolmates Smith (vocals, guitar), Michael Dempsey (bass), and Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst (drums). Initially, the group specialized in dark, nervy guitar pop with pseudo-literary lyrics, as evidenced by the Albert Camus-inspired "Killing an Arab." A demo tape featuring "Killing an Arab" arrived in the hands of Chris Parry, an A&R representative at Polydor Records; by the time he received the tape, the band's name had been truncated to the Cure. Parry was impressed with the song and arranged for its release on the independent label Small Wonder in December 1978. Early in 1979, Parry left Polydor to form his own record label, Fiction, and the Cure was one of the first bands to sign with the upstart label. "Killing an Arab" was then re-released in February of 1979, and the Cure embarked on its first tour of England.

The Cure's debut album, Three Imaginary Boys, was released in May 1979 to positive reviews in the British music press. Later that year, the group released the non-LP singles "Boys Don't Cry" and "Jumping Someone Else's Train." That same year, the Cure embarked on a major tour with Siouxsie and the Banshees. During the tour, the Banshees' guitarist, John McKay, left the group and Smith stepped in for the missing musician. For the next decade or so, Smith would frequently collaborate with members of the Banshees.

At the end of 1979, the Cure released a single, "I'm a Cult Hero," under the name the Cult Heroes. Following the release of the single, Dempsey left the band to join the Associates; he was replaced by Simon Gallup at the beginning of 1980. At the same time, the Cure added a keyboardist, Mathieu Hartley, and wrapped up production on the band's second album, Seventeen Seconds, which was issued during the spring of 1980. The addition of a keyboardist expanded the group's sound, was which now more experimental and often embraced slow, gloomy dirges. Nevertheless, the band still wrote pop hooks, as demonstrated by the group's first U.K. hit single, "A Forest," which peaked at number 31. After the release of Seventeen Seconds, the Cure launched its first world tour. Following the Australian leg of the tour, Hartley exited the lineup and his former bandmates chose to continue without him, releasing their third album in 1981 (Faith) and watching it peak at number 14 in the charts. Faith also spawned the minor hit single "Primary." The Cure's fourth album, the doom-laden, introspective Pornography, was released soon after in 1982. Pornography expanded their cult audience even further and cracked the U.K. Top Ten. After the Pornography tour was completed, Gallup quit the band and Tolhurst moved from drums to keyboards. At the end of 1982, the Cure released a new single, the dance-tinged "Let's Go to Bed."

Smith devoted most of the beginning of 1983 to Siouxsie and the Banshees, recording the Hyaena album with the group and appearing as the band's guitarist on the album's accompanying tour. That same year, Smith also formed a band with Banshees bassist Steve Severin; after adopting the name The Glove, the group released its only album, Blue Sunshine. By the late summer of 1983, a new version of the Cure -- featuring Smith, Tolhurst, drummer Andy Anderson, and bassist Phil Thornalley -- had assembled and recorded a new single, a jaunty tune named "The Lovecats." The song was released in the fall of 1983 and became the group's biggest hit to date, peaking at number seven on the U.K. charts. The new lineup of the Cure released The Top in 1984. Despite the pop leanings the number 14 hit "The Caterpillar," The Top was a return to the bleak soundscapes of Pornography. During the world tour supporting The Top, Anderson was fired from the band. In early 1985, following the completion of the tour, Thornalley left the band. The Cure revamped their lineup after his departure, adding drummer Boris Williams and guitarist Porl Thompson; Gallup returned on bass. Later in 1985, the Cure released their sixth album, The Head on the Door. The album was the most concise and pop-oriented record the group had ever released, which helped send it into the U.K. Top Ten and to number 59 in the U.S., the first time the band had broken the American Hot 100. "In Between Days" and "Close to Me" -- both pulled from The Head on the Door -- became sizable U.K. hits, as well as popular underground and college radio hits in the U.S.

The Cure followed the breakthrough success of The Head on the Door in 1986 with the compilation Standing on a Beach: The Singles. Standing on a Beach reached number four in the U.K., but more importantly it established the band as a major cult act in the U.S.; the album peaked at number 48 and went gold within a year. In short, Standing on a Beach set the stage for 1987's double album Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. The album was eclectic but it was a hit, spawning four hit singles in the U.K. ("Why Can't I Be You," "Catch," "Just Like Heaven," "Hot Hot Hot!!!") and the group's first American Top 40 hit, "Just Like Heaven." Following the supporting tour for Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, the Cure's activity slowed to a halt. Before the Cure began working on their new album in early 1988, the band fired Tolhurst, claiming that relations between him and the rest of the band had been irrevocably damaged. Tolhurst would soon file a lawsuit, claiming that his role in the band was greater than stated in his contract and, consequently, he deserved more money.

In the meantime, the Cure replaced Tolhurst with former Psychedelic Furs keyboardist Roger O'Donnell and recorded their eighth album, Disintegration. Released in the spring of 1989, the album was more melancholy than its predecessor, but it was an immediate hit, reaching number three in the U.K. and number 14 in the U.S., and spawning a series of hit singles. "Lullaby" became the group's biggest British hit in the spring of 1989, peaking at number five. In the late summer, the band had its biggest American hit with "Love Song," which climbed to number two. On the Disintegration tour, the Cure began playing stadiums across the U.S. and the U.K. In the fall of 1990, the Cure released Mixed Up, a collection of remixes featuring a new single, "Never Enough." Following the Disintegration tour, O'Donnell left the band and the Cure replaced him with their roadie, Perry Bamonte. In the spring of 1992, the band released Wish. Like Disintegration, Wish was an immediate hit, entering the British charts at number one and the American charts at number two, as well as launching the hit singles "High" and "Friday I'm in Love." The Cure embarked on another international tour after the release of Wish. One concert, performed in Detroit, was documented on a film called Show and on two albums, Show and Paris. The movie and the albums were released in 1993.

Thompson left the band in 1993 to join Jimmy Page and Robert Plant's band. After his departure, O'Donnell rejoined the lineup as a keyboardist, and Bamonte switched from synthesizer duties to guitar. During most of 1993 and early 1994, the Cure were sidelined by an ongoing lawsuit from Tolhurst, who claimed joint ownership of the band's name and also sought to restructure his royalty payments. A settlement (ruling in the band's favor) eventually arrived during the fall of 1994, and the Cure shifted their focus to the task at hand: recording a follow-up album to Wish. However, drummer Boris Williams quit just as the band prepared to begin the recording process. The group recruited a new percussionist through advertisements in the British music papers; by the spring of 1995, Jason Cooper had replaced Williams. Throughout 1995, the Cure recorded their tenth proper studio album, pausing to perform a handful of European musical festivals in the summer. The album, titled Wild Mood Swings, was finally released in the spring of 1996, preceded by the single "The 13th."

A combination of pop tunes and darker moments that lived up to its title, Wild Mood Swings received a mixed reception critically and commercially, slowing but not halting the momentum gained by Wish. Galore, the Cure's second singles collection focusing on the band's hits since Standing on a Beach, appeared in 1997 and featured the new song "Wrong Number." The Cure spent the next few years quietly -- giving a song to the X-Files soundtrack, Robert Smith appearing in a memorable episode of South Park -- re-emerging in 2000 with Bloodflowers, their last album of original material for Fiction. Designed as the final installment in a heavy goth trilogy that stretched all the way back to Pornography and included Disintegration, Bloodflowers was well received and a respectable success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Alternative Music Album. The next year, the Cure closed out their contract with Fiction with the career-spanning Greatest Hits, which was also accompanied by a DVD release of their most popular videos. During 2002, they spent some time on the road, capping off their tour with a three-night stand in Berlin, where they played each album of their "goth trilogy" on a different night; the event was documented on the home video release Trilogy.

The Cure signed an international deal with Geffen Records in 2003 and then launched an extensive reissue campaign in 2004 with the rarities box set Join the Dots: B-Sides & Rarities, 1978-2001 (The Fiction Years); double-disc expanded editions of their earliest albums soon followed. Also in 2004, the band released its first album for Geffen, an eponymous effort recorded live in the studio. Heavier but not necessarily harder -- and certainly not gloomier than Bloodflowers -- The Cure was partially designed to appeal to a younger audience familiar with the Cure through their influence on a new generation of bands, many of which were showcased as opening acts on the band's supporting tour for the album. The Cure underwent another lineup change in 2005, as Bamonte and O'Donnell left the group and Porl Thompson came back for his third stint. This new, keyboard-less lineup debuted in 2005 as the headlining act at the benefit concert Live 8 Paris, then headed out on the summer festival circuit, highlights of which were captured on the 2006 DVD release Festival 2005. The Cure popped up on various festivals over the next two years, playing a more extensive European tour in early 2008, as they completed their 13th album. Originally conceived as a double album, the record was split in two prior to its release, with the lighter, poppier material released first as 4:13 Dream in October 2008. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Music

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  • alt.end
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  • Taking Off
    the-cure
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    Taking Off
  • Caterpillar
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    Caterpillar
  • A Night Like This
    the-cure
    Video
    A Night Like This
  • Other Voices
    the-cure
    Video
    Other Voices
  • Lullaby
    the-cure
    Video
    Lullaby
  • Fascination Street (Live)
    the-cure
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    Fascination Street (Live)
  • A Night Like This
    the-cure
    Video
    A Night Like This
  • 982
    SoundStream
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    • Take Your Time (Do It Right)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/7/4/8/7/3/897537847.mp3
    • Tell Me If You Still Care
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/8/4/8/7/3/897537848.mp3
    • No One's Gonna Love You
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/7/5/7/7/3/897537757.mp3
    • Just Be Good To Me (12" Vocal Remix)
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/2/7/4/7/3/897537472.mp3
    • Weekend Girl
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/0/5/8/7/3/897537850.mp3
    • The Finest
      http://listen.vo.llnwd.net/g2/6/2/2/7/3/897537226.mp3

Interviews & Exclusives

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  • Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
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    Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
  • Robert Smith on The Cure's next album
    the-cure
    video
    Robert Smith on The Cure's next album
  • BONUS: Robert Smith on how he spends the holidays
    the-cure
    video
    BONUS: Robert Smith on how he spends the holidays
  • Robert Smith Crashes A Wedding Party
    the-cure
    video
    Robert Smith Crashes A Wedding Party
  • Robert Smith takes a fan question
    the-cure
    video
    Robert Smith takes a fan question
  • BONUS: Robert Smith on The Cure style
    the-cure
    video
    BONUS: Robert Smith on The Cure style
  • BONUS: Robert Smith on David Bowie
    the-cure
    video
    BONUS: Robert Smith on David Bowie
  • Robert Smith on interesting fan stories
    the-cure
    video
    Robert Smith on interesting fan stories
  • BONUS: Robert Smith on the live video for "Never Enough"
    the-cure
    video
    BONUS: Robert Smith on the live video for "Never Enough"
  • Robert Smith on "The Cure Festival 2005" DVD
    the-cure
    video
    Robert Smith on "The Cure Festival 2005" DVD

Photos

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  • The Cure
    The Cure
    The Cure
    Suretone
  • Robert Smith from The Cure poses for photographs before "MTV Icon 2004 - The Cure" at Old Billingsgate Market on September 17, 2004 in London. The annual live tribute event, usually held in the US arriving in Europe for the first time, honours a band or r
    The Cure
    Robert Smith from The Cure poses for photographs before "MTV Icon 2004 - The Cure" at Old Billingsgate Market on September 17, 2004 in London. The annual live tribute event, usually held in the US arriving in Europe for the first time, honours a band or r
    Bruno Vincent/Getty Images for MTV
  • Robert Smith of The Cure performs on stage on the sixth and final night of a series of concerts and events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust organised by charity Patron Roger Daltrey, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 1, 2006 in London, England.
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure performs on stage on the sixth and final night of a series of concerts and events in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust organised by charity Patron Roger Daltrey, at the Royal Albert Hall on April 1, 2006 in London, England.
    Getty Images
  • The Cure
    The Cure
    The Cure
    John Shearer
  • Robert Smith of The Cure
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure
    John Shearer/ mtv.com
  • Robert Smith of The Cure
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure
    John Shearer/ mtv.com
  • Robert Smith of The Cure
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure
    John Shearer/ mtv.com
  • Robert Smith of The Cure
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure
    John Shearer/ mtv.com
  • Robert Smith of The Cure
    The Cure
    Robert Smith of The Cure
  • The Cure's Robert Smith
    The Cure
    The Cure's Robert Smith
    Steve Double/Retna

News

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  • The Cure
    'Star Trek' Villains Ranked From Worst To Best
    Movies Blog
    May 17, 2013
    By Aaron Pruner "Star Trek Into Darkness" hits theaters Friday, making it the 12th film in the "Star Trek" movie franchise. With Benedict Cumberbatc...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    'Vampire Diaries' Recap: A 'Graduation' Full Of Surprises
    MTV Geek
    May 17, 2013
    It took about an hour to wrap my head around everything that happened in the season finale of " The Vampire Diaries ." The ending, people! The ending!...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    'Vampire Diaries' Season 4 Recap: 'Graduation'
    Hollywood Crush
    May 17, 2013
    by Cassie Title You know, it's a really unfortunate thing that there are no yoga classes after 10 p.m. Because after all of the incredibly epic shen...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    'Vampire Diaries' Finale: The Top 10 Things We NEED To See
    MTV Geek
    May 16, 2013
    SPOILERS! Excuse me...Bonnie’s dead, the veil is still up, and there was absolutely no Klaus leading into the season finale of " The Vampire Diar...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    Why You Can't Miss The American Idol Finale Tonight
    VH1 Tuner
    May 15, 2013
    Okay, so you've sort of slept through this season of American Idol. It's not a big deal. I mean, most people didn't tune in this year. However, toni...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    'Awkward.' Poll: Should Jenna Ditch Her Palos Hills Pals For Collin's More Sophisticated Company?
    Remote Control
    May 15, 2013
    It's a commonly held belief that a fresh start with a new crew could be a social cure-all for any floundering teen, and on tonight's " Awkward ,"  Jen...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    Rosebuds, Submarines, many more pay tribute to The Cure
    Paste
    It just happens one day. All of a sudden, a band has been around long enough to put out its 13th studio album and get tribute paid to it in the same y...
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  • The Cure
    Watch: Superchunk Cover the Cure
    www.pitchfork.com
    The A.V. Club's Undercover video series features bands choosing from a list of songs, ranging from Pavement's "Cut Your Hair" to Journey's "Faithfully...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    The xx, the Cure's Robert Smith Charity Auctions
    www.pitchfork.com
    for a long time, and retire the lightboxes. Now, the band is auctioning off those lightboxes here. The auction raises money for Amnesty International,...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    The Cure to Release Three-Disc Remastered Disintegration Reissue
    www.pitchfork.com
    (Studio Rough [Instrumental]) 14 Babble (Alternate Version) (Studio Rough [Instrumental]) 15 Plainsong (Studio Rough [Guide Vocal]) 16 Last Dance (Stu...
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  • The Cure
    Watch The Cure's "Close To Me" & "A Forest" From New Bestival LP
    stereogum.com
    As previously reported, the Cure have a new live album called Bestival Live 2011 out now. The double-CD set captures the band's headlining performance...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    The Cure Adds More European Festival Shows | Prefix
    www.prefixmag.com
    Tweet We recently revealed that The Cure is headlining a bunch of festivals in Europe this summer, and now more dates have been added to the group's s...
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  • The Cure
    Billy Corgan Claims The Cure's Robert Smith Tried To Make Out With | Prefix
    www.prefixmag.com
    has become instant Internet joke material, and this latest bit, on an interview with Chicago radio station WXRT, is no exception. In it, after making ...
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  • The Cure
    Watch The Cure's Robert Smith Perform a Rare Acoustic Solo Set
    Paste
    Thanks to some technical difficulties at Spain's Bilbao BBK Live festival last night, the crowd was treated to a rare solo set from the Cure's Robert ...
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  • The Cure
    ‘American Idol’: Candice Glover Sings The Cure’s “Lovesong,” Randy Declares It The Best Ever
    idolator.com
    not enough to push her into the level where the other girls currently reside. But don't worry, I bet it's enough to keep her around for another week. ...
    Read More
  • The Cure
    'American Idol' Recap: Candice Glover Crushes The Cure
    MTV News
    case for much of season 12, the results were mixed: the usual suspects rose to the top, while some (OK, just hopelessly overmatched Lazaro Arbos) sunk...
    Read More

Tour Dates

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  • Aug 2 Friday
    Chicago, IL, US Grant Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 2 Friday
    Montreal, QC, Canada Osheaga Music and Arts Festival
    Buy Ticket
  • Aug 2 Friday
    Montreal, QC, Canada Parc Jean Drapeau
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 4 Friday
    Austin, TX, US Zilker Park
    Buy Ticket
  • Oct 11 Friday
    Austin, TX, US Zilker Park
    Buy Ticket

Discography

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  • Bestival Live 2011 (2011)
    The Cure
    Bestival Live 2011 (2011)
    Sunday Best
  • 4:13 Dream (2008)
    The Cure
    4:13 Dream (2008)
    Geffen
  • The Cure (2004)
    The Cure
    The Cure (2004)
    Geffen
  • Bloodflowers (2000)
    The Cure
    Bloodflowers (2000)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Wild Mood Swings (1996)
    The Cure
    Wild Mood Swings (1996)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Show (1993)
    The Cure
    Show (1993)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Paris (1993)
    The Cure
    Paris (1993)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Wish (1992)
    The Cure
    Wish (1992)
    Elektra Entertainment
  • Entreat (1991)
    The Cure
    Entreat (1991)
    Fiction
  • Disintegration (1989)
    The Cure
    Disintegration (1989)
    Elektra Entertainment
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