The Cure: A Brief History 1976-2005
Formed: 1976 as The Easy Cure in Crawley, Sussex, England.
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, vocals)
Michael Dempsey (bass)
Laurence "Lol" Tolhurst (drums)
Managed by Chris Parry, signed to independent label Small Wonder Records with the single "Killing an Arab", inspired by Albert Camus' book "the Stranger". "Killing an Arab" is later re-released as a sinlge on Fiction Records.
*In 1979 as The Cure, the single "Boys Don't Cry" is released. On the heels of "Boy's Don't Cry", an album, "Three Imaginary Boys" and the single "Jumping Someone Else's Train" is released. The success of the recent single helps land the band a support spot on the Siouxsie & the Banshees tour. Incidentally, another single, "I'm A Cult Hero" is released, but under a pseudonymous name. It goes unnoticed.
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, vocals)
Simon Gallup (bass)
Mathieu Hartley (keyboards)
Lol Tolhurst (drums)
*In spring, 1980, The Cure released the single "A Forest" which landed in the UK Top 40 and a second album, "17 Seconds", proving to be a stronger outing as it reaches the Top 20.
*April, 1981 the album "Faith" is released, along with three singles-"Primary", "Faith", and "Charlotte Sometimes". The B side of the cassette contains the 27 minute song "Carnage Visors" written by Simon Gallup's brother Ric. "Faith" reaches number 14 on the UK charts.
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, vocals)
Simon Gallup (bass)
Lol Tolhurst (drums)
*In May 1982 "Pornography" is released. One single, "The Hanging Garden" is released. "Pornography" is the band's highest mover chart wise, hitting number 8, but internal problems in the band held the band back as Simon Gallup is fired and replaced by Steve Goulding. Smith, meanwhile, joins Siouxsie & the Banshees for a short stint. Smith also forms The Glove with Banshees bassist, Steve Severin and Jeanette Landry, while continuing to record with The Cure.
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, vocals)
Simon Gallup (bass)
Lol Tolhurst (drums)
*In July, 1983 "The Walk" is released and the band enjoys it's first UK Top20 hit. In October, 1983 "The Love Cats" is released and breaks the Top 10. Two months later the compilation "Japanese Whispers" is released and eventually reaches number 26 on the UK charts.
Personnel: Robert Smith and Lol Tolhurst
*In 1984, the single "The Caterpillar" and subsequent album "The Top" are released. The album reaches number 10 on the UK charts. "The Top" proves Smith's ability as an innovative arranger and songwriter.
Personnel: Robert Smith (instruments, vocals)
Lol Tolhurst (other instruments)
Porl Thompson (saxaphone)
Andy Anderson (drums, percussion)
*In August 1985, The Cure releases the album "The Head On the Door" and re-records their second single, "Boys Don't Cry" for re-release which becomes a minor hit in the UK. Three singles are released from the album-"Close To Me", "A Night Like This", and the energy driven "In Between Days". "The Head On the Door" becomes The Cure's best selling album to date and peaks at number 8 on the charts.
Note-original working title: "1,000,000 Virgins"
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, keyboard, vocals)
Lol Tolhurst (keyboards)
Porl Thompson (guitar, keyboards)
Simon Gallup (bass)
Boris Williams (drums, percussion)
*In May 1986, The Cure releases the compilation of singles, "Standing On a Beach: The Singles". The CD version includes four extra songs- "10:15 Saturday Night", "Play For Today", "Other Voices", and "A Night Like This". The cassette version contains the b-sides to these singles. The compilation outsells "The Head On the Door" and reaches an astonishing number 4 on the charts.
*In May 1987 the album "Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me" is released. Following is the release of four singles-"Why Can't I Be You", "Hot Hot Hot!!!", "Catch", and "Just Like Heaven". "Just Like Heaven" is the band's most popular single to date and the album reaches number 6 on the charts.
Personnel: Robert Smith (guitar, keyboards, vocal)
Simon Gallup (bass)
Porl Thompson (guitar, keyboard, sax)
Lol Tolhurst (keyboards)
Boris Williams (drums, percussion)
*In May 1989 "Disintegration" is released to critical praise. Four singles are released-"Fascination Street", "Lovesong", "Lullaby", and "Pictures of You". The success of the album lands the band on the 1989 Grammy Awards. "Disintegration" busts the charts at number 3. Said Robert Smith "one of the best.It fits between Fath and Pornography".
Personnel : Robert Smith (guitar,keyboards,vocals)
Simon Gallup (bass,keyboards)
Boris Williams (drums,percussion)
Lol Tolhurst (other instruments)
Porl Thompson (guitars)
Roger O'Donnell (keyboards)
******This was done for fun and some things may be omitted. I am not a jounalist or do I want to be. This was researched from various websites and is not meant to be 100% accurate.******
After the Disintegration tour Roger O'Donnell left the keyboard slot open,and was replaced by the longtime roadie Perry Bamonte,who later switched to rhythm and lead guitars.
In 1990 the Cure kept their record release "every year"" system by releasing yet another record the following year titled All Mixed Up,Featuring remixes of their popular singles released in the 80's.One new track is included titled Never Enough,it becomes a hit single.
In 1992 The Cure release another album titled;Wish. its a hit spawning to more hit singles,High and Friday I'm In Love.
The Cure tour like crazy on this album and its 4 years before they release another record,Smith states that the Cure might be finished,but every time they release an album,they seem to be anything but finished.
In 1996 Wild Mood Swings is released,Roger O'Donnell returns for keyboard duties and this record seems to be the most upbeat album since The Head On The Door.The hit single off this album is Mint Car.
later that year the cd Galore-the singles is released and introduced another single Wrong Number.
In 2000 Bloodflowers is released the first single is Maybe Someday,album recieves critical appraise.
In 2001 The Cure-Greates Hits is out.it features two previously unreleased tracks.Cut Here and Just Say Yes featuring the singer of the band Republica(Saffron),a dvd,vhs is also released under the same title as the cd,it features all of the cure videos and six acoustic songs,three of the videos are hidden on the dvd,such as :Pictures Of You,Close to Me(remix),The Caterpillar.
In November of 2002 The Cure play a 2 day show in Germany,they play the albums Pornography,Disintegration,and Bloodflowers in their entirety.They also do 2 encore songs,The Kiss,and If Only Tonight We Could Sleep. In my opinion all of the songs sound better live.And in my opinion this is the best live dvd i'v ever seen by any band.It also features interviews and hidden camera angles.
In 2004 The Cure hook up with producer Ross Robinson(known for his work with Korn,Limp Bizkit,At The Drive In.)The result of this teamup give the Cure a whole new recording experience,Ross being a fan of The Cure his whole life finally gets to help record the record he has always wanted to make.The record is released the same year and puts to rest any rumors of a break-up.The first single End of The World,also has a video made.
In 2005 the Cure are still touring on the latest album titled The Cure. Roger O'Donnell and Perry Bamonte have recently quit the band.Porl Thompson makes his way back to the band on guitar duty.This is the most recent news i have on the Cure.
