Catching up with The Cure

They've been around 30 years, sure, but you expect a respected 80s act like The Cure to earn praise beyond "healthy" and "dependable" for a live performance.

The band, in the middle of a four-month world tour, hit Chicago over the weekend. But the Sun-Times reviewer was thrifty (cranky even?) with the compliments.

"... Followers were thrilled to fill the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Saturday, but to the wider world this was a non-event. That's because ... rock fans still prefer our pop stars mysterious and ephemeral. In contrast, years of grinding out albums and circling the globe has made the Cure seem workmanlike."

Click here to read the full review, but it will leave you shaking your head. The Cure plays Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum on June 11. Click here to see the full list of remaining tour stops.

[2004 Times photo]

Comments

[Miguel]

I remember watching The Cure on a summer festival here in Portugal some years ago. They were the closing band after three long days.I watched them sit on the floor,because my energy was running low.I didn`t even pay much attention to their music that day,i confess!It was the only time i watched them live.

[Complaint Department Manager]

Nobody give Robert Smith any crap! He saved us all from Babs on South Park. He's a hero!

Been there, done that. Cure fans all over the world (including me) agree that the band is in an extremely good and enthousiastic shape. Seen 'em 14 times so far, Rotterdam this year was without a doubt the second best gig of the lot. That's behind the Trilogy DVD gig in Berlin, so no mean feat.

[Mike in Austin]

Say what they will, The Cure rocks. Their music is used from commercials, movie soundtracks to radio theme songs. No kidding, I just received my ticket to see them here in Austin 08JUN. I've been seeing The Cure since 1987. They are the Grateful Dead of the 80's, keeping playing with a deep fan base.

MinA

[Mike in Austin]

Further, if someone were to pick up a recent album (say the last two), one would really not get a good taste of their music. One would have to go back to Three Imaginary Boys, Robert's stink with the Banshee's, Blue Sunshine, his influenced music from the Great Segovia, and the list goes on and on.....

[Mike in Austin]

stint...not stink

[Bassnote]

First of all, this review was written for the Chicago Sun-Times. Being a Chicagoan, I can tell you that this paper is fit only to line pet cages. I'm surprised their main music critic, Jim DeRagotis, didn't jump at the chance to say bad things about a band that has been around for years. That is his M.O., bash any band that has been around for a while, unless they are the Smashing Pumpkins.

I love the Cure. I have been a fan since "The Head On The Door." If I had known they were in town, I might have skipped my softball game last night.

[Marissa]

In defense of anyone who lives in the Chicago/Central Illinois area who might be a tad cranky ~~ It's the weather! It's mid May and we're still not sure if we need to haul out the shorts and put away the sweaters or wait a week, day, month etc. It takes a toll on one's mental well being.

And like Bassnote said, The Sun-Times is kitty litter.

[Mike in Austin]

Bassnote, I too also was a fan with Head on the Door. I can vividly remember reading a review of the album in Rolling Stone while I was at a girlfriends house (ditching) in the afternoon. We got into my diesel Isuzu pickup truck (with Banshee, The Cure, and DM stickers on the back windshield) and headed over to the local record store. Once I heard the beginning of Inbetween Days...well....it changed my life. As time went on, I realized that I had heard the Cure a year or two prior with the Lets go to bed video. Side note, I started talking to that girl last year after 20+ years (classmates dot com). She was my first everything. The second band I was in, we covered A Forest.

All the love brother,

MinA

[jane]

Mike! I didn't know you were in band(s) -- do tell! What instrument(s) did you play? That's so cool -- I've always wanted to be in a band, but the opportunity never presented itself. I play a mean tambourine...

[Mike in Austin]

Ahhh yes, my sick in bed beloved Jane!
The first band I was in was a synthesizer/keyboard band. We opened for Bronski Beat (without Sommerville, some other dude), we played 4 songs: Photographic (DM), Enola Gay (OMD), a Ministry song, (can't remember the name)and a fourth that escapes me. Nothing serious. The second band...we played several covers and a myriad of originals. The Ocean Blue (between something and nothing), U2, INXS (Don't change), A Forrest, Untitled (The Cure)....etc...
After that band kicked me out (I had no talent really), I paid a small recording studio to record two of our originals, I still have the CASSETTE TAPE upstairs in my dresser. Something to pass onto the my kids. The songs: Scream (written after a girl that dumped me) and Pain and Agony (my liberal days, no disrespect)
Oh, I sang, or at least tried, the second band put me out of my misery, no t kidding.

MinA

P.S. Our Vegas emails keep me going at work, where we you guys today?

[Elle]

I'm seeing them on 10 days. Even if everyone was giving reviews like that one I wouldn't be less excited. I cannot wait.

[jane]

Still nursing the Sinus Headache from Hell, mi hermano. Rendering me less than efficient.

Although I promise to be a better correspondent tomorrow. ;-)

[Spears]

If it makes anyone feel better, I believe I'm sick now too.

Plus, I'm stuck doing American Idol duty tonight. So I'll crawl into bed about 1 a.m.

[Mike in Austin]

Rest easy dawlin', time will always be my friend.

[jane]

Mr. Spears, I do hope you don't have a similar affliction to mine. 'Tain't fun at all. Tylenol Sinus Congestion and Pain is recommended -- it works. When I remember to take it.

[Mike in Austin]

Angelina and I are "in Vegas training tonight". I have TWO Mickey's in the freezer! Party at the Martinez house (once the kids are asleep of course).

MinA

[Spears]

I will be one with the whiskey before the rooster crows.

[Rosa]

I'm already one with the bottle of wine.