The Cure

[Voley]

I did go and see the banshees play at the Albert Hall in 1983 when bob had been seconded from the Cure to play guitar. I'm on the live album screaming 'robert' just before slowdive I think....

I would've loved to go to that gig. I used to smoke dope and listen to the last three tracks over and over when I was about 17. The guitar sound Robert Smith had was fucking great back then.

 

[SpookyFrank]

They've sold 20-odd million albums, and still sell out huge venues whenever they play. They are fucking massive.

Very popular in the states too IIRC.

 

[Hellsbells]

I still have the cassette of Disintegration! Love that album. This thread has reminded me I really should listen to it again.
I do hate Friday I'm in love though.

 

[SpookyFrank]

I'm now sat in the dark with Disintegration on my headphones moping like a teenage boy.

It's a good moping record, there's no denying it.

 

[oryx]

I'm a big fan of their earlier stuff (Boys Don't Cry, 17 Seconds, Pornography) but not keen on anything after The Walk in 1983! To be fair I haven't heard a lot of their later stuff but Lovecats, Caterpillar, Friday I'm in Love etc. put me right off.

I have never seen them live...officially.

I used to work in Little Venice back in the 80s. One morning, on my way from Warwick Avenue tube over the footbridge over the canal, a man jumped out at me and asked if I'd wait a while as a video was being made.

I asked what it was & he told me The Cure, so I asked if I could watch. So I saw Robert Smith & co singing what sounded like a very drunk/hungover version of Home, Home On The Range!

It must have been about 8.15 am as I started work at 8.30 in those days.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

I would've loved to go to that gig. I used to smoke dope and listen to the last three tracks over and over when I was about 17. The guitar sound Robert Smith had was fucking great back then.

The Concert live album of a similar vintage to when Bob was in the Banshees is peak Bob guitar I think.

 

[Voley]

The Concert live album of a similar vintage to when Bob was in the Banshees is peak Bob guitar I think.

Yeah that's a belter too. 'Shake Dog Shake' off that's the best version for me.

 

[pinkmonkey]

They should have stopped years ago. Robert Smith looks like a clown.

Some things just don't work when you're not 25. I note that even Limahl has got rid of that hairstyle. must be hard though when that strong look is what you're known for.

 

[pinkmonkey]

Possibly their worst tune ever imo!

My dad renamed that 'The Wonder Flea Song'

 

[savoloysam]

I fucking love this version...



and this version....

 

[Maggot]

A forest is one of my favourite songs ever.

Agreed.

Only seen em live once, 1989 Prayer Tour, Wembley Arena. They were supposed to break up after that.

I was at that gig

They were fucking weird them gigs with the band on the other side of the lake, weren't they? I saw The Pixies there (might have been the same time as that Cure gig, thinking about it) and some bloke tripping off his nut decided to swim over to them then try to climb onstage soaking wet with electric cables everywhere. Kim Deal pissed herself.

And that one! IIRC The roadies looked terrified and tried to cover up some of the equipment. Kim Deal said 'Did you see that guy swim the lake? I guess only English guys do that kind of thing!'

I did go and see the banshees play at the Albert Hall in 1983 when bob had been seconded from the Cure to play guitar. I'm on the live album screaming 'robert' just before slowdive I think....

And that one!

But my favourite Cure gig was shortly after the Head on the Door came out. Late '85 or early '86 and they played at the Camden Palace which was shown live on Whistle Test. Tickets were only £5 and we had to queue up on the night, not knowing if we were gonna get in. It was amazing seeing such a huge band in such a small venue. They did Close to Me and Inbetween Days for the cameras and then a whole set afterwards.

 

[Thimble Queen]

I've never seen The Cure live. But I did once see Dinosaur Jr cover Just Like Heaven and it was one of the best things that has ever happened in life. One day I'll see The Cure do it x

 

[mr steev]

I was a massive Cure fan in my teens in the mid to late 80s and saw them a few times. Nowadays, with a heavy dose of nostalgia and memories added to the mix loads of their tunes are even more emotional than they were to my angst ridden teenage goth self

Lovecats! I still have the 7" single and subject visitors to listening to it. I defy you not to dance.

IME, back when I was really into them that was the least likely track to get Cure fans dancing. More likely to produce a groan and mutterings about how out of so many fucking brilliant tracks the same crap pop song always gets chosen by a clueless DJ

 

[SpookyFrank]

I generally like their poppier songs but Lovecats is a bag of shite.

 

[Voley]

And that one! IIRC The roadies looked terrified and tried to cover up some of the equipment. Kim Deal said 'Did you see that guy swim the lake? I guess only English guys do that kind of thing!'

Ha! Yeah that was the one!

 

[ViolentPanda]

I would've loved to go to that gig. I used to smoke dope and listen to the last three tracks over and over when I was about 17. The guitar sound Robert Smith had was fucking great back then.

Fantastic, under-rated guitarist, is Bob. When he stood in on the Banshees tour when McKay and Morris fucked off, he got everything down pretty much straight away, by ear.

 

[William of Walworth]

have never seen them live...officially.

You've done better than I have then.

I've never seen The Cure live** -- 'officially' or at all

I'm ashamed of myself for that (I was not at Glastonbury 1986 -- did they play there any other year then?).

**But I still wish I had the chance to rectify this crime ... they're great

 

[Voley]

I'm ashamed of myself for that (I was not at Glastonbury 1986 -- did they play there any other year then?).

Yeah I saw them again early 90's. Might have been 90 or 91 as I was there with some mates from college. Good that night too despite Robert playing Lullaby in totally the wrong key. 'That's my speech about being the reincarnation of Jimi Hendrix fucked, then' (or words to that effect) being his comment on the matter.

 

[badseed]

was not at Glastonbury 1986 -- did they play there any other year then?

I think 90 and 95 were the next ones I saw them at. Probably easily googled

 

[albionism]

Saw them a few times, late 80s early 90s, most memorably at the
Garden Party at Crystal Palace Bowl with All About Eve, Lush and
James on the bill. Was a glorious summers day, made even more
glorious by the sight and sounds of panicking goths with wasps trapped
in their back combed hair! I hear their recent gigs go on for 3 hours plus!
No end of great songs.

 

[Smokeandsteam]

I generally like their poppier songs but Lovecats is a bag of shite.

Spot on. Irritates the fuck out of me that song.

Best Cure pop songs?

1. Just Like Heaven
2. Why Can't I Be You
3. The Walk
4. Lullaby
5. Boys Don't Cry

 

[Maggot]

I don't get the hatred for Lovecats - it's a great pop song.

My top 5:

1. A forest
2. Why can't I be you?
3. Primary
4. Hot Hot Hot
5. Lovecats

 

[Smokeandsteam]

For me it's the plodding bass plus the wailing!

 

[Voley]

My top 5:

1. A Forest
2. In Between Days
3. Charlotte Sometimes
4. Play For Today
5. Three Imaginary Boys

Ask me tomorrow and it'll be totally different mind.

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

Top 5, no particular order:

Pictures Of You
Charlotte Sometimes
Just Like Heaven
One Hundred Years
A Night Like This

 

[Maharani]

Nice work on this thread urbs .

 

[Maharani]

My top 5 for today:

1. A letter to Elise
2. Fascination street (fucking just pure brilliance live)
3. 10:15 on a Saturday Night
4. Pictures of you
5. From the edge of the deep green sea.

 

[Voley]

5. From the edge of the deep green sea.

Listening to that right now, funnily enough. It's a cracker.

 

[Maharani]

The most gutting Glastonbury for me was '95. Got utterly smashed on everything and forgot they were even on. I'll never forgive myself that .

 

[TheHoodedClaw]

The most gutting Glastonbury for me was '95. Got utterly smashed on everything and forgot they were even on. I'll never forgive myself that .

I have a surprisingly similar Glastonbury 1995 story...