1984: ROBERT SMITH on THE CURE | Whistle Test | Classic BBC Music | BBC Archive

Summary

In this interview, the speaker reflects on their musical journey, including their time with The Cure and other projects. They discuss the challenges of balancing creative visions with band dynamics and the evolution of their sound over time. The conversation touches on the pressures of fame, the need for artistic freedom, and their departure from certain collaborations. They also share their thoughts on the future of their music career, expressing the realization that they can't keep performing indefinitely and acknowledging the inevitable transition to new phases in life.

Takeaways

• 😀 English bands often struggle with success once they achieve fame, losing touch with their roots and fans. This contrasts with the Cure's approach to keeping close connections with their fans in Europe and Australia.
• 😀 The Cure's success is attributed to consistently maintaining a relationship with their audience, even when they became more successful.
• 😀 Robert Smith’s departure from the Banshees allowed him more time to focus on the Cure and to distance himself from the pressures of being a recognizable figure in music.
• 😀 Smith suggests that, at times, it is difficult to distinguish oneself as just 'Robert Smith of the Cure,' and his time with the Banshees helped him escape this identity.
• 😀 Though there were disagreements over production in the Cure’s last album, Robert Smith did not leave due to dissatisfaction with the album’s sound, but because of broader challenges in managing a large group in the studio.
• 😀 The Cure’s music has often been influenced by external projects, like Smith’s involvement with the Banshees, but these influences were not always intentional.
• 😀 Smith was critical of the Cure’s past productions, particularly when he didn’t have complete control, leading to feelings of disenchantment.
• 😀 The 'Glove' project with Steve Severin was born from a desire to experiment outside of the Cure, but was also a reaction to the increasing pressure within the Cure.
• 😀 The 'Love Cats' album was an experiment with jazzy sounds and a playful, Parisian vibe, but Smith makes clear it was a one-off project with no plans for a follow-up.
• 😀 The Cure's live performances are described as their best, with the current lineup being the most powerful yet, even though the band is still primarily centered around Robert Smith’s vision.
• 😀 Smith believes that live albums should have a rough, unpolished sound, and the Cure’s recent live album was intentionally made to resemble a bootleg, emphasizing authenticity over perfection.
• 😀 Robert Smith acknowledges that the end of his career in contemporary music is near, not because of age, but due to the natural cycle of change in the music industry and his own evolving perspective on it.

Q & A

Why do English bands tend to go wrong after reaching a certain position?

English bands often go wrong when they reach a certain level of success because they begin to receive better treatment, like nice food backstage, which can change their dynamic. The speaker mentions that they always considered playing in England as part of their European tour, maintaining a connection with their fans.

What role did the band's time spent in Europe and Australia play in their success?

The band's success is attributed to their consistent engagement with international fans, particularly in Europe and Australia. They would perform in clubs and personally meet the people coming to their shows, which helped them build a loyal following.

How did Robert Smith of The Cure feel about concentrating solely on the band after leaving the Banshees?

Robert Smith felt that focusing entirely on The Cure allowed him to have more time to concentrate on the band. His departure from the Banshees was partly due to wanting to focus on his own work without the added pressures from other commitments.

What impact did Robert Smith's time with the Banshees have on The Cure's music?

Although Robert Smith didn't consciously intend to change The Cure's sound, his time with the Banshees influenced the band's music. Some of the ideas that would have gone into The Cure were instead channeled into the Banshees, leaving The Cure with a 'pop' sound for a while.

Did Robert Smith dislike the last album of The Cure, as some music press suggested?

No, Robert Smith did not actively dislike the last album of The Cure. While there were disagreements about the production and sound, he was still involved in making the record and did not leave because of any dissatisfaction with the album.

Why did Robert Smith collaborate with Steve Severin in the project 'The Glove'?

Robert Smith worked with Steve Severin on The Glove project out of a desire to do something different while taking a break from The Cure. It wasn't meant to be a direct reaction to other bands or events, but rather a creative outlet when both were seeking to explore new musical ideas.

What was Robert Smith's reaction to the reception of 'Love Cats'?

Robert Smith was disappointed by the reception of 'Love Cats' as it was not widely well received. Despite this, he personally liked the album, though he acknowledged that it was commercially oriented and not representative of the typical sound of The Cure.

Does Robert Smith see himself continuing in a similar musical style to 'Love Cats' in the future?

No, Robert Smith does not see himself continuing in that style. 'Love Cats' was a one-off project, and there will be no follow-up like 'Love Cats' or 'Love Dogs.' He explained that the decision to record it was more about experimenting with a jazzy vibe while in Paris, and it was not intended to define his future musical direction.

How does Robert Smith feel about the current live lineup of The Cure?

Robert Smith feels that the current live lineup of The Cure is the best they have ever had. He believes it is the most powerful configuration, although ultimately, the success of their performances relies on his leadership and the involvement of the entire band.

Why did Robert Smith say the live album by The Cure had a 'bootleg' quality?

Robert Smith described The Cure's live album as having a 'bootleg' quality because it was intentionally made to feel rough and raw. The album was produced quickly, with only four days of mixing, and he prefers live albums to have a rougher sound rather than trying to make them sound like studio recordings.

Why does Robert Smith feel that the end of his career in contemporary music may be approaching?

Robert Smith believes the end of his career in contemporary music is approaching because of the inevitable passage of time. While he isn't concerned about physical age, he recognizes that his time in music isn't endless and he wants to be aware of this reality rather than be blindsided by it. He has been performing for over 25 years and doesn't anticipate doing so for another 25.