There's a Cure for that you know?

Tonight culminated a serious relationship that began when I was 15 years old. I had always been a fan of The Cure, I've written about them a few times on this blog, but there was a certain night when I was 15 that changed everything. It sounds silly, but it was something as simple as having a dream. Yes, I had a dream that I would meet Robert Smith and the rest of the band. The dream was actually them coming to my house and performing one of my favorite B-sides, "A Few Hours After This." It was so surreal and real at the same time that when I woke up the next morning an obsession was born. I don't think I've told that story to anyone in all of these years. I just usually say they've always been my favorite band. I mean, that would sound pretty ridiculous, right? I've always loved them and their sound, but in those early teen years I really started grasping their sound after that dream. I always felt like the girl who didn't fit in or belong in school so I turned to music. I still remember being in the back of the bus after Friday night football games with my Walkman listening to 'Disintegration', an album that still is pretty influential in my life. Then when I turned 15, I got way more into music than I ever had been in my life. I grew up with music and always loved music, but it was like a switch got turned on that year. I have written about it before so I'll save the details. So, when I had that dream, and became "obsessed" with this band from England, my whole life changed. I had to have every album they created, but more to that, I had to see them live. At that time, it was pretty unknown whether or not they'd create another album or tour again, so I had no choice but to search for what was available at that time.

'Show' was my first live VHS from the 1992 Wish tour and it was my first "live" Cure experience. After that, I found 'The Cure: Live in Orange' (filmed and directed by Tim Pope who will become important later), then I got my hands on 'The Cure Play Out', 'Picture Show' and 'Staring at the Sea' videos. During that time, I grew to love the art of making music videos, whether it was live or on a set and Tim Pope became my first music video director muse. That was then followed by fellow geniuses Anton Corbijn and Stephane Sednaoui, just to name a few. I was deadset on moving to London to go to art school to learn how to make music videos. That was my dream.

Photo by the amazingly talented, Debi Del Grande

When the Hyde Park 40th Anniversary show was announced last year, I was gutted that I couldn't make it work for me to attend. I knew I'd be going to London for work, but the timing didn't work. So tonight, I got my redemption. I got to see the show that I couldn't attend. I got to sing and dance almost as much as I would have had I been at that Hyde Park show. And once again Tim Pope did an amazing job at capturing the spirit of a band that he's followed for so many years. After 40 years, this band seems to be hitting another "peak" in their career. After getting inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor, they have gone on to play multiple shows including an appearance at a castle in Dublin, followed by numerous festival dates to keep them busy throughout the summer months. I am happy to say that I will be seeing them at Austin City Limits Festival in October and as much as I hate festivals, I truly can't wait to see my favorite band live again.

Tonight, the 15 year old me came out to enjoy the show. Tonight I was reminded why I love this band so much. Tonight I met others who also love and appreciate this band as much as I do. I can't explain my obsession with The Cure. All I can say is that to this day, at this point in their career, they are still one of absolute best live bands I have ever seen and Robert Smith's lyrics move my heart to another level and I just hope everyone can experience that in their lifetime. I can't wait for October when I get experience these lovely souls live again. Until then, enjoy their magical full 'Disintegration' set from Sydney below.

My Music Monday: Joy Division

As a teenager growing up in the '90s, I was never attracted to the mainstream sounds of grunge or whatever else was playing on the radio at the time. I didn't understand why everyone had to be screaming to get their point across. Instead, I latched onto bands from earlier years. Obviously, The Cure was an important band as were Siouxsie and the Banshees, Depeche Mode and New Order. Internet was just getting started during those days so finding music was not as simple as a quick download and to find the music I wanted to listen to required a little digging and research. I was probably about 14 when I had learned that New Order was first an entirely different band named Joy Division.

Joy Division, a band synonymous with the post-punk movement in music, credited as pioneers in the darker sound that came with it thanks to their driving bass lines, haunting melodies and singer Ian Curtis' deep, baritone voice. The first Joy Division song I remember fully embracing was actually a cover of "Dead Souls" by Nine Inch Nails from The Crow movie soundtrack. From there, Joy Division became one of those bands that were more than a band to me. I was going through a pretty rough time during my teenage years with my parents' divorce, that feeling of not fitting in that most teens feel and just the overwhelming urge to escape and find my own place in the world. Their music was like an old friend that understood everything I was feeling. Joy Division released two albums in their short career. Prior to their U.S. tour, Curtis took his own life and the band eventually continued on as New Order.

  

 

This Friday, a few friends and I will be making a trek to Dallas to see bassist Peter Hook and his band The Light as they perform those Joy Division albums Closer and Unknown Pleasures in their entirety along with a special set of New Order tracks. As I have gotten older, those songs have taken on a whole new meaning to me as I am able to relate more to the words because of my own life experiences. Friday night will definitely be a special night for the young teenage girl that still lingers inside me who would spend hours in her room listening to these songs over and over. Below are a few of my favorite tracks.

 

"Transmission" was released in 1979 as the band's first single and has since been covered by Bauhaus/Peter Murphy, Hot Chip, and the cast of the Ian Curtis biographical film Control.

 



"She's Lost Control" first appeared on Unknown Pleasures before it was released again as a more electronic version in 1980. This song features a bass sound where Peter Hook played higher up on the neck.
 

 

One of the earliest songs recorded by Joy Division, and it is also said to be the last song performed at their May 2, 1980 show.
 

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" is probably the most popular or at least most recognizable Joy Division song. The lyrics not only represent Curtis' deteriorating marriage to his wife Deborah, but also his state of mind at the time. It is still my favorite of all their songs, followed very closely by the next one.
 

I'm not sure words would describe the love I have for this song. It was one of the last songs that Ian Curtis penned. When New Order formed, they re-released the song and that version has gained more popularity over the years. Curtis' words, "Heaven knows it's got to be this time" will probably just always clutch a special place in my  heart. RIP Ian.

34 Years of Faith

On this day in 1981, The Cure released their third studio album, Faith. Considered by many to be the second of their "dark trilogy" albums which also includes 1980's Seventeen Seconds and 1982's Pornography. With Faith, we saw the band cut back to a trio that included Robert Smith, Laurence Tolhurst and Simon Gallup. This album also marks the first time Smith would use a six-string bass creating their signature sound for many years to come. The cassette release was backed by an instrumental piece entitled "Carnage Visors" that was the soundtrack to a short film the band would feature at the beginning of their shows. I remember falling asleep to CV since it was so light and ambient and was perfect for drifting off to dreamland. In 2006, a deluxe remastered edition was released which also featured the non-album single, "Charlotte Sometimes", an alternate version of "Carnage Visors" and many previously unreleased tracks from the recording sessions of the album. While there are many beloved tracks on this album, the title track "Faith" is probably the most popular with it being one of those elusive live show songs that rarely got played for many years. The most popular performance of this song would be the Rome show in 1989 in which Smith dedicated it to those that had lost their lives that day in China's Tiananmen Square. That version is below along with some other live treats from that album. Happy Anniversary to Faith!

Faith album cover designed by Porl Thompson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cure, Temples Announce Upcoming Shows

Monday morning was met with great news as two bands that I adore, The Cure and English psychedelic band Temples, announced their upcoming plans for 2014.

 

Last week it was announced that The Cure would headline the Teenage Cancer Trust event that will be held in London at Royal Albert Hall in late March.  The original March 29th date quickly sold out in a matter of seconds forcing the band to add on a second date for March 28th which also sold out.  Knowing that those two dates would not be enough to quench the thirst for more Cure shows, the band made an official announcement that it has plans to finally release the long awaited "dark" album that was supposedly recorded during 2008's 4:13 Dream sessions as well as release several live DVDs.  The biggest, and most exciting news, was that there were also plans to do another "Trilogy" tour this time featuring the albums The Top, Head on the Door and Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me putting to rest the rumors that were circulating that this would indeed happen.  Dates have not been announced yet, but hopefully that information will be coming soon as I can already bet that I will have to do some traveling to catch this show. 

 

And as if that news was not enough to make my head spin on this cold Monday, British band Temples announced that they were going to be making an appearance at this year's Austin Psych Fest which will be held May 2-4, 2014.  I had been toying with the idea of going since the lineup so far had been pretty great with more artist announcements coming soon, but this news might have been the tipping point in that decision.  I suppose I better start saving my pennies for all of these shows I plan to attend this year.  It is looking to be another fantastic year in live music.  I already have some stellar shows lined up and hope to continue to add to the list as the months go on.   

 

       

Anniversary of The Cure's Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

Today is the anniversary of The Cure's seventh studio album, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. That album helped solidify their spot in music, especially here in the US with the release of one of the band's most successful, popular and recognizable singles to date, "Just Like Heaven." However, there are really some other great tracks on that album that most people have never heard. Below is one of my favorite Cure songs of all time and is really one of the reasons why I love this band. I hope you enjoy!

Interpol's 'Turn on the Bright Lights' Turns 10!

Wow, I can't believe how fast time flies. Ten years ago today New York band Interpol graced the world with their debut album, Turn on the Bright Lights, forever changing the landscape of indie and post-punk modern music. At least for me it did.

I discovered this band back in 2004, so just a couple years later than many others. They were part of the touring line-up for Robert Smith's summer "festival" concert Curiosa which featured acts like Head Automatica and Mogwai. Muse was also a part of this line-up, but prior to the Texas shows, lead singer and guitarist Matthew Bellamy broke his wrist and the band had to quit the tour. Interpol opened for The Cure and although I knew the band's set opener, "Obstacle 1", I was unfamiliar with the complex, emotional lyrics and driving rhythms created by Paul Banks and company that made up the rest of their songs. After hearing "NYC" I was hooked. I went out and bought the album the next day and it has been on heavy rotation in my life ever since.

Interpol has released three more albums since their 2002 debut, but for many, TOTBL still holds the top spot as the true fan favorite. I think the reason it has withstood the test of time is because it came into the world at just the right time and it resonated with so many fans that were ready for what this band had to offer. Plus, former bassist Carlos D. was hot and that certainly didn't hurt.

It was too difficult to choose just one song to mark this special occasion with so I'm posting the entire album. Happy Birthday to a truly spectacular album!

The Cure, Depeche Mode, New Order..Oh My!

So yesterday saw a lot of buzz going on over in Cure camp as Robert Smith announced that while the current touring line up is taking a month long break from playing European summer festivals, they plan to do some recording of new material.  RSX also said that Cure fans should expect the long awaited Mixed Up 2 to be released right around Christmas of this year, hopefully just in time to be the perfect stocking stuffer! This time around, Robert is giving some of his favorite bands such as Mogwai and Cranes an opportunity to do the remixes rather than producers as was the case on the previously released Mixed Up.  Take all of this surprising news however you wish.  We Cure fans know to be a bit hesitant to believe everything RSX says.  Just where is that "dark" album follow up to 2008's 4:13 Dream and those DVD releases of In Orange and Show?! I for one hope he's going to give us something we've been waiting four years for!

Over in Depeche Mode land, manager Jonathan Kessler confirms that the new album will be released in April 2013 with a "full world tour" to follow.  Martin Gore had previously mentioned this year that the album would be released in the early part of next year and it looks like it's actually happening.  Frontman Dave Gahan has been somewhat busy with a side project with band Soulsavers with whom he performed a surprise show this past weekend, but mates say he's back and focused and ready to work.  I'm excited to hear where the band is going with this album.  I liked Sounds of the Universe, but I also miss their old sound.  Doesn't matter, I'll be at the concert because they put on a hell of a performance.  Let's start a petition to get DM and The Cure to tour together! How awesome would that be!!

Finally, news that I think just about every one I know is excited to hear and that is that after seven years of being away, New Order has announced a handful of North American dates set for this fall.  After much excitement over the reunion of Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris and Gillian Gilbert, the band has played select shows in Europe and is even tapped to play a closing ceremony gig for the 2012 Olympics in London with fellow country mates, Blur.  Much has been said about the band touring without bassist Peter Hook, but I think fans will still flock to see this lineup.  The tour will only take them to a few select cities ranging from California to Texas to Canada, so you better snatch up your tickets as soon as you can.  Tour dates are below.

New Order North American tour dates:
Oct. 5: Fox Theatre, Oakland, CA
Oct. 7: Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Oct. 10: 1stBank Center, Broomfield, CO
Oct. 12: Palladium, Dallas, TX
Oct. 18: Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY
Oct. 21: Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL
Oct. 23: Sony Center, Toronto, ON