august 1992
hello
what a chaotic few months it's been!!
thanks so much for all your letters, particularly regarding the spring uk dates. the information service priority
booking was a huge success, enabling uk members to purchase tickets before they went on general sale (unfortunately
this offer could not be extended to international members because of the limited time we had to organise everything).
i've had so many letters of gratitude and in turn have passed your thanks on to everyone at fiction who made the whole
thing possible, despite the hassle of organising it!
it was great to meet so many of you on tour - and make so many friends (and share so many drinks!). i was amazed at
how many people went to all 11 shows, by the time we got to kilburn we were like one big happy family!! i hope we'll
all meet again very soon ...
i returned from america a few weeks ago where i saw five shows (phoenix, long beach, two in san diego and pasadena).
each show was special, but the pasadena rosebowl gig was incredible - the largest arena i've ever seen! the whole
show was enhanced by the extended stage, plus two giant video screens, ensuring a brilliant view. i took the liberty
of sneaking down to the front row where i enjoyed an extra special view.
i was startled to discover how different audiences are in america - screaming, singing, shouting and generally making
so much more noise! but there was no pushing and shoving. everyone stayed in their place and enjoyed the show from
their allocated seat - quite a refreshing change from the usual agony in the uk - attempting to get a good view whilst
still being able to breathe!
i've received so many reviews of shows - i've included as many as space would allow. thanks to everyone who sent in
a review, i'm sorry if yours was not included this time. please keep sending them in for inclusion in future.
i've attempted to include a full world tour schedule, but please do consider the fact that these dates are correct
as of now but they can, and almost definitely will, change over the next few weeks. obviously i will not be able to
keep you informed of changes as and when they happen, so do keep reading your local music press to keep informed.
all ticket enquiries should be made direct to the venue or through usual agents. the information service and fiction
will not be able to supply tickets or information regarding the availability.
i know many fans plan to travel overseas to shows - again i am unable to help with ticket requests - you should
contact the venues direct - most will accept credit card telephone bookings. you may have noticed ad's in the music
press recently for all inclusive trips to the continent for some of the shows. i know that several of you have used
these services in the past, and have had a great time, travelling with other cure fans. if you plan to travel with
a tour operator do ensure firstly that the operator is a member of abta (to ensure security in the event of a problem)
and secondly ensure that you have your concert ticket from the operator before departure.
on the subject of tickets - never buy a ticket from anywhere or anyone except the venue or official agent. there were
some heartbreaking scenes outside a couple of uk gigs when fans had bought counterfeit tickets for a lot of money (and
yes - they really did look identical to the real thing!). i must admit, i couldn't help smiling when one tout selling
counterfeits was arrested after quite a struggle outside the nottingham gig! please also note that backstage passes
are not sold! they are issued at the discretion of the band only. each pass is logged and numbered, and can be used
by the named holder only.
do remember, licensed tour merchandise is only available from official stalls, usually inside venues. do take plenty
of money as there are so many t-shirts to chose from, all equally wonderful!
the current lefaye news is that they are unsigned, but are actively pursuing a record deal. they have been playing
a few gigs in and around london recently. i've been to a few and have had a good time, as well as enjoying a reunion
with several friends made on the spring dates.
the official 1993 calendar will be available shortly and is published by danilo (isbn: 0-7819-0230-4). i'm sure
there will be the usual batch of unofficial calendars (i've seen one already and it really is not up to the standard
of the official version) so it really is worth waiting for the genuine thing.
there is also an unofficial biography ('success, corruption and lies') in circulation. despite the fact that i have
been mentioned and credited in this publication i had absolutely nothing to do with it! as a matter of principle i
won't read it, but i have been informed that it is very poorly written and inaccurate, so don't waste your money!
this issue sees the introduction of full band participation in the questions section! send in questions for everyone
next time and i'll attempt to get them to the band somewhere in europe later on in the year.
because the tour will take up the rest of the year, i won't be back until early next year, but do write to me now to
receive the next issue. all contributions are welcome!
happy gigging!
love
janie
qestions and answers curenews 13
r-robert
s-simon
p-port
b-boris
t-perry
how did you enjoy the first gig at bradford, what did you do afterwards to celebrate robert's birthday?
r it was an excellent way to spend my birthday - getting drunk in the indian afterwards was the icing on the cake (?)
s i enjoyed it very much after we went for a drink and an indian
p i loved it. i think we should always play small gigs.
b yes and i had a curry
t the first gig is always exciting, chaotic and fun. afterwards we went to a restaurant and drank a lot.
which of the new songs do you most enjoy playing live?
r end.
what is your strongest memory of each of the show?
r end.
do you prefer playing smaller or larger venues?
r larger (but not too big - about 10000 people feels good).
do you find it difficult to cope with your lack of privacy whilst on tour?
r yes!!!
what is the name of the instrumental number played before each show?
r it is just called 'opening instrumental' - we recorded it specifically for this purpose.
what is the song played after each show?
r a selection of billie holiday songs starting with 'we're getting some fun out of life'.
how did you choose 'lefaye' to support you on the warm up dates?
r i have known them for quiet a while and had seen them a few times - i thought it would be a good experience for them.
given the choice, who would be your ideal support band?
r the cranes!
s ride / the cranes.
p god machine / dinosaur junior / nirvana or us.
b pj harvey.
who did the artwork for 'wish', 'high' and 'friday', and whose hand print is on the reverse of the 'wish' sleeve?
r parched art (porl and undy). it's porl's hand.
is it true that you will produce a film to accompany the proposed
instrumental ep later this year?
r it is one of a few ideas we're considering, but i think that being realistic (?), bearing in mind how many concerts
we're going to be playing, nothing new will materialize this year.
what's the real story behind porl's dislocated elbow?
r he came off his motorbike. true.
when touring the usa, do you plan to visit disneyland or disneyworld?
r universal studios, florida and disneyland, california.
where do you buy your musical instruments?
r i have got quiet a few of my guitars from a shop in london called 'vintage and rare'.
s various places but the last bass i had made by a mysterious person called dick knight.
p in london at 'vintage and rare', 'andys guitars', 'gibson ltd' (usa) and 'ray mans' + 'street corner music' in
camborne for my acoustics.
b i don't
t london - locally - we buy stuff as we need it from whoever can supply it quickest (impatient) and at a good price! -
guitars are a different matter - we just collect them!!!
what do you think of the demise of the vinyl format, and do you support the introduction of dcc?
r the demise of vinyl doesn't really bother me, except for losing 12" artwork. i have yet to hear dcc. in principle it
seems a good idea.
s i think it's quite sad but i only buy cassettes anyway, so it doesn't really affect me.
p it's a shame to loose that lovely big 12 inch cover to draw on.
b we've been done and don't know what it is.
t dance music is keeping vinyl alive - dj's can't use cd's and tapes!
do you ever listen to classical music? if so, what is your favorite composition?
r i love classical music. my favorite composers are chopin, tchaikovsky, beethoven, mozart, debussy, sartie
and khatchaturian.
r yes, but my favourites change. it's usually delius.
p barbess adagio for strings. pearl fishers. mahler, ravel ond on and on.
b bach cello suites, verdi's requiem.
t when i'm not listening to cure music (ie. working) i listen to classical music, almost exclusively.
i like mozart and his period (baroque) and opera.
what are your 3 favorite albums?
r impossible, they change all the time...but...today:
'5 leaves left' - nick drake
'astral weeks' - van morrison
'axis:bold as love' - jimi hendrix experience
s at the moment it's:
'going blank again' - ride
'loveless' - my bloody valentine and a various tape i made up of things.
p impossible question, but at the moment:
'wee tam' - incredible string band 'nevermind' - nirvana anything by led zeppelin, captain beefheart, ibs and a million
more.
b they change
what do you think of the following acts:
right said fred
r pap
s are you sure?
p i don't think about them
b genius
the wonderstuff:
r don't like his voice too much, but some of it's good
s excellent
p boring
the cranes:
r savagely underrated, a band with a vision
s excellent
p I'll tell you after america
b good mates and music
tin machine:
r absurd!
s oh dear
p pretentious
slowdive:
r ok
s very good
p not heard enough to say
jesus and mary chain:
r wonderful live
s good
p some of it's ok
b i like them
nirvana:
r i like most of their albums.
s very good
p most excellent
b good
other fiction bands:
r oh dear...
s very good
p god machine - well 'ard.
b oh yes, excellent
has your taste in music mellowed with age?
r no. (the only thing i like a bit more now than i didn't in my teens is a few bits of rousing opera...)
s i don't think so.
p no. just expanded
b i only listen to mantovani now.
t yes - in that i'm not so narrow minded about it. i used to hate most things because of the people who made them.
i try and get past that now...
what was your first thought on hearing that freddie mercury had died?
r it didn't really have any impact on me at all. i thought queen were pompous nonsense.
s i didn't really think anything.
p sad.
b i'm not suprised.
t it wasn't a surprise because of the rumours but i thought it would heighten public awareness, which is good
- and a shame.
what are your views on bootlegs?
r they don't usually sound too good, but i have nothing against them per se.
s i condone them
p i think bootlegs of gigs are valid and fun.
b good idea.
t i like them.
do you read the music press, and what do you think of it?
r i occasionally dip into the melody maker front pages for amusement!
s i read the melody maker and just think that any article, review etc is just one person's opinion.
p no, i don't read any papers, i think they are all shit.
b rarely - most boring.
t occasionally - it is rarely interesting for me. after a time you realise it's always the same - only the band
names change.
do you personally have copies of every format of every thing the cure have ever done?
r yes!!! (except a picture disc vinyl 'caterpillar' which someone nicked!)
s no.
p no. i have a cd copy of every album and that's it.
b i think so.
t no.
how involved have you been in xfm, and to what extent do you support an independent radio station for indie bands.
r xfm is an excellent idea. we support it (ie. with the 'kilburn national' broadcast), but we don't really have anything
to do with it.
s i'm not involved at all but any independent radio station must be supported as it offers more choice.
b less than i should be.
t i've listened in - i think it's excellent that after 15 years or so of 'pop radio' you can now hear indie bands all
day instead of 2 hours a night.
who do you most admire?
r people who don't compromise. people who don't give up. people of intelligence. people of tolerance. people of
integrity. not too many i can name.
s my son eden.
p as a guitarist jimmy page. as song writers mike heron and robin williamson.
b selfless people (are there any?)
what gigs have you been to lately?
r the rollercoaster show at brixton was brilliant.
s the heroines at the fulham kings head.
p god machine at camden - they were most excellent.
b pj harvey, ride, curve, rollercoaster.
what is the last film you went to see, and what did you think of it?
r i haven't been to the cinema for about 3 years...i saw 'my life as a dog' by lasse hallstrom recently on video
and thought it was wonderful.
s i can't remember.
p film - 'barton fink' - shit. video - 'bill and ted's excellent adventure' - most excellent.
b 'jungle book', 'shining'.
t i don't like cinemas, and i'm rarely attracted by most of the new films released - there are so many wonderful
old films - i have an ever growing list of hard to get films i want to get on video. the last film i went to see was
'these foolish things' by bertrand terranier.
what's your favourite day out / tourist attraction in the uk?
r the sea.
s chessington world of adventure with eden.
p being by the sea or near water. ie. rivers, lakes in the countryside.
b a walk in the countryside
t the tate gallery.
what is the last book you read?
r 'the book of edenezer le page' by g b edwards.
s 'bor/going solo' by roald dahl.
p 'journal of a sad hermaphrodite' by michael de larrabeiti (really good).
b 'perfume'.
t a collection of poems by dante gabrielle rossetti.
are you doing anything musically outside of the cure?
r only writing.
s no.
p always.
b at this moment no, but i have been recording with shelleyan orphan.
t there is little time for that at the moment...
what's your favourite alcoholic drink? have you invented any good cocktails recently?
r red wine is my favourite drink...i've given up cocktails (except bloody mary's and brandy alexanders).
s lager. i haven't had any cocktails since giving up spirits.
p red wine.
b i don't drink.
t i like red wine.
what do you drink on stage?
r red wine mixed with orange juice!
s lager (becks or fosters)
p coke, water and sometimes red wine (no 9)
b water
t red wine and orange juice.
do you drive, if so, what?
r i drive a black customised 4wd thing.
s i can't drive
p harley Davidson 883 sportster (saffron).
b saab 900 and ducati 851.
do you play computer games? if so, do you prefer nintendo, sega or amiga?
r i only play tetris on gameboy.
s i like kick off on the atari st.
p no. i hate them.
what's the first record you ever bought?
r 'ziggy stardust' by david bowie.
s a woolworths cover version of the batman theme i think.
p lp - 'what'd i say' by jimi hendrix (mfp 75p at woolies) single - 'i hear you knocking' by dave edmunds, rockpile.
b 'satisfaction'.
t the first roxy music album.
what's the most recent record you brought?
r 'doppleganger' - curve
'loveless' - my bloody valentine
'dry' - p j harvey
s 'visions of you' - jah wobble
p not sure. i usually buy a lot of records at the same time. last batch could have been nirvana, orb, levellers,
ozric tenticles.
b p j harvey
t a collection of italian baroque music ( a cassette for on tour)>
what's your favorite joke?
r presence.
what's your favorite childhood memory?
r arriving at victoria station from blackpool in 1963 on a train. i was terrified.
s sitting in the garden with my dog.
p seeing the world through orange glasses in my dad's side car.
b falling off my tricycle.
what are your best and worst habits?
r my worst habit is drinking.
s the best is that i try to please too many people. the worst is that i try to please too many people and end up
pissing them off.
p fuck knows.
b annoying people.
do you have any phobias?
r big spiders and heights.
s flying / heights.
b none
do you wear boxer shorts or briefs?
r boxer shorts.
s boxer shorts.
p neither.
b sometimes.
what do you wear in bed?
r a t-shirt if it's very cold.
s boxer shorts
p nothing
b nothing.
what's the nicest thing a fan has ever done?
r i have received too many gifts and words to single something out.
s it happened last night and it was someone throwing a teddy bear on stage for eden.
p enjoyed seeing us play.
b acted like a person not a fan.
t i think it's really special when a fan makes something - spends time and effort and puts a lot of care into something.
what's your most treasured possession?
r my ring.
s eden's drawings.
p this moment.
b my privacy.
what's the one thing you haven't done that you'd like to do before you die?
r go to the moon!
s learn to drive.
p live in the present.
b fly.
t a sculpture i would be proud of (a piece of art to leave behind).
if you could change one thing you have done in the past, what would it be, and why?
r i wouldn't change anything (except maybe chuck lol out in about 1977!!!)
s there's a lot of things i wish i could change, but what's done is done.
p nothing. the past does not exist.
b none of your business.
t there is something but it's too personal - it has to do with not speaking out honestly and boldly when it's
really important.
how do you feel knowing you've changed people's lives, and does it scare you?
r sometimes it scares me, mostly it helps me...
s it depends whether the change is for the better.
p i haven't, peoples lives are their own. everything is meant to happen.
b i haven't
t isn't this really one for robert?
what is the picture on the front of 'picture show', and whose idea was it to use it?
r it is a picture of a girl using a 'planchette' (for automatic writing). it was in a book i was reading (called
'the encylopeadia of the unexplained').
would you ever consider singing a duet with someone? if so, who would it be?
r caroline from shelleyan orphan is singing the choruses on 'halo' ('friday's' b-side) - does this count?
do you feel these questions invade your privacy?
r it's my choice to answer them...
s no. else i wouldn't answer them.
p nothing invades my privacy.
b yes.
