The Cure

This article is about The Cure, the rock band. For other article subjects named The Cure see The Cure (disambiguation).

The Cure are considered to be one the most important bands of the 1980s, and have had much influence on later bands. They are often described as a goth band, though some dispute this labelling.

The creative force behind the band is the singer Robert Smith, who has written all the lyrics (with the exception of songs the band has covered, and the song "Grinding Halt," the words to which were written by Laurence Tolhurst and almost all the music (he wrote the entire album The Head on the Door). They have existed since 1976, and originally went by the names "Malice" and "Easy Cure" before deciding on their current name. They have to date released 13 full length studio albums or double albums (as well as a number of concert albums and compilations and the 1978 demos) each one in a different style. The albums nevertheless share common features, notably Smith's distinctive vocal style.

One of their early songs, "Killing An Arab," while criticized by some because of its not very politically correct title, is actually a retelling of the story of French existentialist Albert Camus's book "The Stranger."

Table of contents

1 Singles discography
2 Album and compilation discography
3 Video
4 Members past and present
5 External links

Singles discography

"Killing an Arab" (b-side: "10:15 Saturday Night") (1979)

"Boys Don't Cry" (b-side "Grinding Halt") (1979)

"Jumping Someone Else's Train (b-side "I'm Cold") (1979)

"A Forest" (b-side "Another Journey By Train") (1980)

"Primary" (b-side: "Descent") (1981)
"Charlotte Sometimes" (b-side: "Splintered in Her Head") (1981)
"The Hanging Garden" (1982)
"Let's Go To Bed" (b-side: "Just One Kiss") (1982)
"The Walk" (b-side: "The Dream") (1983)
"The Lovecats" (1983)
"The Caterpillar" (1984)
"Inbetween Days" (1985)
"Close To Me" (1985)
"Why Can't I Be You?" (b-side: "A Japanese Dream") (1987)
"Catch" (b-side: "Breathe") (1987)
"Just Like Heaven" (b-side "Snow In Summer"/"Sugar Girl") (1988)
"Hot Hot Hot" (1988)
"Lullaby" (b-side "Babble"/"Out Of Mind" (1989)
"Lovesong" (1989)
"Pictures Of You" (1990)
"Never Enough" (b-side: "Harold and Joe") (1990)
"Friday I'm In Love" (1992)
"High" (1992)
"A Letter To Elise"

Album and compilation discography

Three Imaginary Boys (1979)
Boys Don't Cry (1980, compilation, best of TIB and some singles and the 1978 demos)
Seventeen Seconds (1980)
Faith (1981)
Happily Ever After (Seventeen Seconds and Faith together U.S-only release)
Pornography (1982)
Japanese Whispers (1983, compilation of singles/b-sides not available on album)
The Top (1984)
Concert (1984, live)
The Head on the Door (1985)
Staring at the Sea (1986, compilation of singles 1978-1986)
Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me (1987)
Disintegration (1989)
Entreat (songs from Distintegration live)
Integration (boxed set)
Mixed Up (1990, remixes)
Wish (1992)
Paris (1993, live)
Show (1993, live)
Wild Mood Swings (1996)
Galore (1997, compilation of singles 1987-1997)
Bloodflowers (2000)
Greatest Hits (2001, compilation of singles 1978-2001/two new tracks)
TBA (2003)

Their next album is rumoured to be due in 2003.

Members past and present

Robert Smith (vocals, guitar, keyboards; member 1976-present)
Porl Thompson (guitars; member 1977-1978 & 1984-1992)
Lol Tolhurst (percussion, keyboards; member 1976-1989)
Michael Dempsey (bass guitar; member 1976-1979)
Simon Gallup (bass guitar; member 1979-1982 & 1985-present)
Matthieu Hartley (keyboards; member 1979-1980)
Phil Thornalley (bass guitar; member 1984-1985)
Andy Anderson (percussion; member 1983-1984)
Boris Williams (percussion; member 1984-1994)
Roger O'Donnell (keyboards; member 1987-1990 & 1996-present)
Perry Bamonte (keyboards, guitars; member 1990-present)
Jason Cooper (percussion; member 1996-present)

External links

See also: Gothic rock