CURENEWS 20
December 1998/January 1999
Dear All,
Welcome to Cure News 20.First of all thanks to everyone for their continuous support since I took over Cure News. I would also like to thank everyone who has sent in artwork, photographs, reviews , stories, poems and paintings. The Cure News 19 competition winners are as follows:- Alex Pap, Ulrich Schmidt, Bianca Fureder, Emille Weisse and Jani Jalavisto. Your contributions help to make up this issue and your prizes will be sent to you very shortly.
The main news of this issue is that The Cure went into the studio on September 14th to begin recording the brand new and long awaited studio album. Robert has described it as being "heavy and darker, somewhere between Pornography and Disintegration". Recording will continue until Christmas and mixed in the new year. We are all looking forward to the release sometime next year.
In this issue:
What's been happening.....
Since the last issue of Cure News The Cure played thirteen festival concerts throughout the summer months. I managed to make it to a total of seven having a stressful but wonderful time travelling around Europe to see the band perform in some beautiful places.Every concert was memorable with the highlights for me being - Portugal (Watching the band perform in a heavy sea mist added to the brilliance and power of the whole evening!) , Spain (Memories on the beach and watching the stage lights reflect off the deep green sea!) and Dresden, Germany (watching the goths and that brilliant version of 'Forever'!). It was really nice to meet so many friendly fans and if you managed to see any of the concerts, I hope you had a good time. I have included the set lists in this issue along with reviews of the concerts and some nice photographs sent in by - Lyse, Bianca, Ange and Cindy.
Also, during the Summer, ex-MTV Europe V.J Ray Cokes asked The Cure to play at his wedding,only 3 of the 75 guests had any idea what was going on when Ray got up to sing "Just Like Heaven " and when he couldn't remember the words and asked "Where are The Cure when you need them?" They duly walked on stage in their best Wedding suits and performed 8 of his favourite songs! The party was on a beach in St. Tropez. The Cure took a short break from setting up the studio and starting the new Record... needless to say the bash went on until they were all thrown out or threw up (or both!), and then carried on back at the hotel until the sun came up...
On Sunday 11th of October The Cure played a very secret gig in London at the Forum, Kentish Town. Not even the Venue staff, band's families or friends knew anything about it! I was very very lucky to be invited the evening before the concert and I had no idea until the curtain dropped to the opening chords of 'Shake Dog Shake' what was really happening. The whole concert was organised by the American beer company Miller, who had asked The Cure to play their "blind date" gig in London with Hole as opening act.. There were about 500 Miller competition winners (flown in from America), a small number from the U.K along with Journalists and Miller representatives. I managed to get right down the front and watch from close quarters, I thought the band put on a brilliant show . It was nice to be reminded that they can play some perfect pop songs!
The Secret Set List was:- Shake Dog Shake, Fascination Street, A Night Like This, A Hundred Years, Trust, Just Like Heaven, Lullaby, Close To Me, Wrong Number, Never Enough, In Between Days, From The Edge Of The Deep Green Sea, Shiver And Shake, Disintegration,Love Song, Let's Go To Bed, Why Can't I Be You ?, Boy's Don't Cry, Friday I'm In Love, 10:15 Saturday Night, Killing An Arab.
The 'Orgazmo' Original Soundtrack (Trey Parker of 'South Park' fame!) was released in the USA early in October. Available on Nickel Bag Records, catalogue number NB00009-2. There is no news of a European release, but you can order this album on-line at the following address - http://www.nickel bag.com. It features the mysterious group "COGASM" AKA - CO = Cooper / GA = Gabrels / SM = Smith performing the song 'A Sign From God'. Robert will also appear on Reeves Gabrels solo album released early next year.
Quietly Torn, the band featuring ex-Cure Guitarist/Keyboard player Porl Thompson have recently released a five track Cassette ep entitled 'Red C Sessions'. This is available on mail order only. For more information on this release and the band write to : Quietly Torn, POBox 44, Penzance, TR19 7YL. Cornwall. England.
Meanwhile 'Babacar' featuring Boris Williams have also released some music. The album 'Babacar' is available in the U.K on 'Mesmer' Records, catalogue number 'BCAR1CD'.
Also available from Absolute A Go Go Records (USA) who have a web site to order the album http://www.absoluteagogo.com. The bands official web site is -http://www.shadowplay.com/babacar.html run by long time Cure devotee 'Ruth' who once ran the acclaimed U.S. Cure fanzine 'Other Voices' many years ago. You can also contact Babacar at the following address : POBox 2003, Purley, Surrey, CR8 3ZU, England.
These days news travels even faster on the internet and there are hundreds of web sites devoted to The Cure. I have decided to review a few of my favourite and more interesting ones for those of you who have yet to discover the wonders of the web! If you have a Cure web site and would like to have it listed and featured in Cure News 21, send me your details.
The Cure-Offical web site - www.thecure.com
This is the home of the official Cure web site. Maintained by Robert and Roger who provide an excellent insight to the world of The Cure. On a personal level each band member has their own room where they feature their favourite bands, authors, musical tastes and hollies. The site also features back issues of Cure News and you can e-mail me directly at thecure@thecure.com (I try to respond to as many as possible, but please no large attachments! They make my telephone bill hurt!!!)
Chain Of Flowers -http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/ChainofFlowers/homepage.htm
This site is Run by Craig Parker in New Orleans, it is one of the best on the 'net' updated regularly with upfront news and gossip including set lists and pictures amongst many other interesting Cure related things.
Club America - http://members.aol.com/cure1h/club.html
Unofficial Cure fan club specialising in relaying informative news and the gathering of Cure fans worldwide. Club America is run by Heather and it is free to join. Features include contests, a discussion board, meeting other Cure fans where you live, and much more.
Stiff as Toys.... - http://www.musicfanclubs.org/cure/
One of the oldest web sites devoted to The Cure. Highlights include a very interesting message board which I visit to keep in touch with more obsessed followers of the band!
Scotts concert page -http://207.88.40.213/szumsteg/tcure1.htm
As mentioned later by Roger, check this site out for a list of songs played at various concerts.
Never Enough French collectors -http://perso.club-internet.fr/ginovani/
Mainly written in French, this is a new site for Cure collectors. It includes a discography and a rare record list, along with other interesting paraphernalia.
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Alley/9480/
mindy's page - yet another interesting web site features some nice photographs of her meeting the band dating back to 1989.
To receive your next free copy of Cure News simply:
UK fans - Send a large stamped addressed envelope, with at least 43 pence in postage.
(UK fans also include a separate s.a.e for 'Stop Press' a special event's news letter for things happening in the U.K such as Cure Drinks, special events and T.V appearances by the band, etc....)
Overseas fans - Send a large self addressed envelope, plus two International reply coupons (available from your Post office)
To: Chris (Cure News 21)
PO Box 211, Hayes, Middlesex
UB4 9NZ, England.
That's all for this time, I'll try to get the next issue together as quickly as possible, Don't forget to keep checking out the official internet site at - www.thecure.com
I would like to thank everyone who helped with this issue, The Cure, Ita, Daryl, Janie, Lyse, Cindy, Kris, Daren Butler (Front cover design). Very special thanks to Ange for her help with design, layouts and scans.
Until the next time....
Love
Chris
XX
