The Last Wish

Three years after the release of Disintegration - not mentioning Mixed Up remix -, Cure is about to reveal the fruit of six months lived in Manor Park Studio, close Oxford.
Wish, is produced, as of habit, by David Allen. It contains twelve music and of pure Cure. With music as "Letter To Elise" and "Cut", this is one of Robert Smith and friends most romantic works, so much in the themes - broken hearts and frustrated loves - as in the sound of the guitar, of the pianos and of ‘that’ voice. For who thought Smith is the most depressed person of the planet, "Wendy Time" and especially "Friday I'm In Love " came to destroy the myth.
The five members arrive in the end of the afternoon: Smith, Simon Gallup, Porl Thompson, Boris Willians and Perry Bamonte. The two first they speak, the other ones three consume several beer bottles.

How do you feel, to the vesperses release of the new album?
Robert Smith: Well, the atmosphere, making this disc, it was wonderful. We lived at the same house for six months, and now none of us wants to go away! It will be difficult go away of the studio.
The disc would be called Swell, but in the last minute we changed the idea.

How did you choose the music for the disc?
RS: As usual. We heard the demos of everyone, giving notes from zero to twenty. We recorded twenty-five songs, but we will only use twelve... but that doesn't mean that the other ones thirteen are not good... it is that they are not inserted well to the atmosphere of the album. We always thought on the aspect of the disc that we are recording; we never kept music of another time for future use. I think, since the music are born together, together should grow.

What did you play on this time?
RS: I used the six string bass again... but I also used a lot a semi-acoustics Gibson, that is a wonderful guitar. That album really came back to the guitars. Concerning the effects, doesn't compensate to speak about... they are just different boxes. (laughs). Most of the effects was on the Porl part. We decided to remove Porl of the cage this time (laughs).

Were you influenced by some band in this album?
RS: I think not. To admit influences is as admitting a robbery (laughs). Of course we heard music, we bought discs...
Simon Gallup: But we never thought about other bands when we are composing.

Which bands have you been listening to?
RS: Ride, Curve, Levitation.
SM: Lush...

" Wendy Time " is a dance song...
RS: We were always aware of the dance music presence. The album Mixed UP proves that... if you ask to Paul Oakenfold to remix music, you already knows what will happen.
We decided to take a risk: before we worried too much, now we are more confident.

How would you describe the themes of Wish?
RS: I could not summarize them. It exists from love music to hate music. Most of the music is based on personal experiences, but, if I had made everything I sing, I would not be here, but dead or prisoner (laughs). On this disc, I tried to improve my words. I just write them to complement the music.

Are you conscious about the repetition of certain themes in your music?
RS: Of course, and that disturbs me. But, at the same time, it is a challenge. When the people say 'that seems Cure', this sounds as a condemnation! We make what we like want. If the same things inconvenience me, year by year, there is nothing I can do. I write about waht affects me, things which I cannot flee. But I think they have a universal appeal. The people understand what I sing about. With this new album, I feel much less possessive and concerned than with the other albums. It is so varied...

Do You still excite with the shows?
RS: I am more thrilled than never. Otherwise I would not be planning this tour. Formerly, we had to play live to promote the disc, but I think the things changed. Even if we didn't a tour, that would not affect the sales. But I still adore to be on a stage.

Do you meet each other when are not working?
RS: Yes... but we never go out together thinking 'Wow, we are a band!' (laughs). We go out such as friends. The friendship is part of the music: We are socially compatible. Three years ago, with Lol in the band, the things were different. All we despised him. Now we liked to be together and also our music.

What do you find about the fans that dress like you?
RS: I think they make that to recognize themselves, to indentificate themselves, more than with the band. I already cut my hair three times and the fans continue with a big hair.

Did you already hear from an Australian group that imitates The Cure?
RS: Yes! We will play there... they could open for us, who knows! (laughs).
(Anamaria G. de Lemos)