The Cure, are an English rock band that kicked off back in 1978 down in Crawley, West Sussex. These blokes have had more lineup changes than you can count, but there's one man who's been steady through it all – the genius on guitar, vocals, and songwriting, Robert Smith. Only had a brief three-year stint without his trusty bassist, Simon Gallup. They burst onto the scene with their debut album, Three Imaginary Boys, back in '79. That, along with a bunch of early singles, put them right smack in the middle of the post-punk and new wave movements that were all the rage in the UK.
But it was their second album, Seventeen Seconds, that really cranked up the darkness and twisted vibes. The sound got heavier, and Robert's signature style, with his wild stage get-up, became a massive influence on the emerging gothic rock genre. It was like they cast a spell on the whole subculture that formed around it.
Then in '82, they unleashed Pornography and decided to shake things up a bit. They sprinkled a touch of pop sensibility into their tunes, and bam! They skyrocketed to worldwide mainstream success. Their singles compilation, Standing on a Beach, sold a mind-boggling four million copies worldwide by '89. Talk about smashing it! And they didn't stop there. Their albums Disintegration and Wish propelled them straight to the top of the charts.
The Cure have churned out a whopping 13 studio albums, a couple of EPs, and over 30 singles. They've sold over 30 million records across the globe. Last time they dropped a new album was way back in '08 – 4:13 Dream. But don't think for a second that they're done yet! These legends were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Cure were the trailblazers of alternative rock. Back in the day, before alternative rock was even a thing in the mainstream, these guys were making waves with their chart-topping hits. NME, the legends themselves, declared The Cure as a "goth hit machine" in the '80s, with a whopping 19 hits under their belt. They became an international phenomenon, and to this day, they hold the crown as the most successful alternative band to ever grace this earth.
Gothic rock wouldn't be the same without The Cure. In fact, NME honored their frontman, Robert Smith, by stickin' him right on the cover of their 2004 edition, "Originals: Goth." That's some serious street cred right there.
The Cure's influence stretches far and wide. Just ask the folks from Interpol. Lead singer Paul Banks couldn't stop gushing about how The Cure shaped their sound. Even Carlos, their bassist, drew inspiration from these legends. You can't help but be in awe of Robert Smith. He's a one-of-a-kind artist, and you can't replicate his style. The Cure's music has left an indelible mark on Interpol, making them one of their deepest influences. They're truly legendary.
The Smashing Pumpkins, another iconic band, were deeply influenced by The Cure. Frontman Billy Corgan himself named them as a primary influence. And their drummer, Mike Byrne, proudly declares himself a "huge Cure fan." It's no wonder The Cure's sound has resonated with millions of fans around the world.
In 2019, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized The Cure's immense contribution to music and chose them for induction. It was a long time coming, as they were eligible since 2004 but were only nominated once before in 2012. Finally, the formal induction ceremony took place at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, New York, on 29 March 2019. The band members were all acknowledged for their incredible talent and were rightly honored for their achievements.
So, grab your black eyeliner, tease that hair, and crank up The Cure's tunes. They're the real deal, the pioneers of gothic rock, and they've left an indelible mark on the music world. Cheers to The Cure, the masters of dark and mesmerizing sounds!
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