Originating in England, The Cure is no doubt the most successful and enduring bands in the Goth-Rock genre. The constantly change style and sound of lead vocalist Robert Smith, is probably the most likely cause of the band’s long life.
Put together in 1976 by long-time schoolmates Robert Smith (Lead Vocals), Michael Dempsey (Bass), and Laurence “Lol” Tolhurst (Drums), The Cure (Originally named ,“The Easy Cure”) recorded a demo tape featuring “Killing An Arab,” which eventually impressed Chris Parry, a Polydor Records representative, with its dark, somber, melancholy tune. Mr. Parry arranged the single to be released by a small independent label, Small Wonder, in the December of 1978. Next year Parry quit Polydor Records, and formed his own label called, “Fiction,” in a wise move, Parry signed the Cure as on as one of his first bands. In February “Killing an Arab” was re-released under the new record label, and a tour followed. “Three Imagery Boys,” The Cure’s first album was released in May 1979 and received positive reviews from the British Press. As the year progressed The Cure released the singles “Jumping Someone Else’s Train” and the very popular, “Boys Don’t Cry.”
Also in 1979, The Cure toured with Siouxsie and the Banshees, another popular British Goth-Rock band. However the Banshees’ had some unfortunate luck when there guitarist John McKay abruptly left the band, and in show of compassion Robert Smith took the role of guitarist for the Banshees. Although he did return to The Cure after the tour, he would continue to collaborate with the Banshees for years to come.
By the end of 1979 The Cure had released yet another hit single, “I am A Cult Hero,” Under the alias of “The Cult Heroes.” However, after the release of the single, Dempsey had decided to leave the band and join up with The Associates. Soon after, Dempsey’s spot was filled by Simon Gallup, also at the same time a new addition was made to the band, keyboardist Matthieu Hartley. In the early spring of 1980, The Cure released their second album, “Seventeen Seconds,” since the keyboard was new to the band the album was different and more experimental than their previous albums, while the band still had its quirky pop style, the keyboard allowed new sounds, making the album darker and slower paced. Also that year, The Cure released their first hit single, “A Forest,” which ranked number 31 on the U.K. Top 40 list. After the release of the album, The Cure began their first world tour. After their run through Australia, Hartley decided to call it quits, and left the band for good, the tour then continued without a keyboardist.
In 1981 “Faith” their third album ranked number 14 in the charts and a single, “Primary” followed. Also that year, The Cure released their 4th album “Pornography” which was perhaps their greatest album. With the release of “Pornography” The Cure’s popularity increased greatly. The album was a hit and ranked high on the U.K. Top Ten. After the promotion tour of “Pornography,” Simon Gallup quit the band and Lol Tolhurst decided to switch from drums to the keyboard. By the end of 1982, The Cure had yet again released another single, “Let’s go to Bed.”
Robert Smith spent most of 1983 working with the Banshees, helping with the production of their album, “Hyena,” as the band’s guitarist. Also Smith began a side project that very same year with Banshee Bassist Steve Severin, dubbed, “The Glove” together they produced only one album titled, “Blue Sunshine.” During the summer of 1983, a new incarnation of The Cure arose, featuring Robert Smith as the lead vocalist, Lol Tolhurst as keyboardist, Andy Anderson on drums, and Bassist Phil Thornalley. The Cure then in the fall of 1983 came out with their most successful single to date, “The Lovecats,” peaking as number 7 on the U.K. Top Ten. Also another album, “The Top” was released; however, Anderson was fired from the band.
In 1985 the band continued to suffer from line-up problems after the departure of Thornalley.
After his leave, The Cure added in a new drummer, guitarist, and bassist, Boris Williams, Porl Thompson, and Simon Gallup. Later in the year, The Cure released their 6th album, “The Head on the Door.” This being the most pop-oriented of the albums, helped boost its popularity in both the UK and the US. “In Between Days” and “Closer to Me” were popular tracks that contributed to the album’s popularity. Following the release of, “The Head on the Door,” was a compilation album, “Standing on a Beach: The Singles,” which also ranked high (4th) on the UK Charts, but in a more important note, increased the popularity of The Cure and created quite a following.
In 1987, The Cure then came out with yet another album, “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me.” The album was a hit, and spawned several singles that were high on charts across the globe. After a tour promoting the album, The Cure slowed down a bit, but then, in 1988 during the creation of their 8th album, keyboardist Lol Tolhurst was fired after some financial disputes between him and the other band members. Later he would file a law suit claiming he was under paided. All the while though, production continued and Tolhurst was replaced by former Psychedelic Furs’ keyboardist Roger O’Donnell. The album was then released in the spring of 1989 titled, “Disintegration,” although being a bit more melancholy than its predecessor it was still a hit taking the spot of number 3 in the UK charts and 14 in the US. Following its release several singles came out, “Lullaby” being the most popular single ever released in Britain, ranking at number 5 in the charts. During that summer The Cure released its biggest American hit single, “Lovesong,” which claimed an impressive number 2 in the US charts. The Cure then began their Disintegration tour which played at countless stadiums across the UK and US.
In the fall of 1990, The Cure made another album of remixes featuring an all new track, “Never Enough,” the album, entitled, ”Mixed Up,” was also quite popular. However following their tour, Roger O’Donnell decided to leave the band and was quickly replaced by roadie, Perry Bamonte. In the spring of 1992 The Cure released “Wish” which was not only similar in style to “Disintegration” but also similar in popularity, ranking number one on the British charts, and two on the American Charts. Following “Wish” two other singles were created, “High” and “Friday I’m in Love” both of which became very popular.
The Cure then undertook another international tour, which sparked two new albums, “Show” and “Paris,”
And also a documentary called, “Show” as well. Porl Thompson left the band, however, Roger O’Donnell then returned to the band as the new keyboardist. Perry Bamonte then switched from synthesizers to guitar.
During 1993 and most of 1994, no new albums were produced, due to the on going law suit between the band and ex-member Tolhurst. After the case was settled (The Cure won.) The Cure was about to begin recording another album when Boris Williams quit. The Cure advertised for a new drummer, and soon the spot was filled by Jason Cooper. Throughout 1995 The Cure recorded their 10th studio album, only stopping to play at a few European music festivals. Finally in 1997, two years after production began, their 10th album titled, “Wild Mood Swings” was released. Then, in 1997 a second singles collection was complied, and released under the name, “Galore” feature a new track, “Wrong Number.” At the turn of the millennium another album, “Bloodflowers,” was released. Followed by a greatest hit album, “Greatest Hits.”
Finally, their latest album, the self-titled, “The Cure” was released in 2004 featuring several all new tracks.
Bio written by: TheVampireArmand |
|
Add to Profile
