Cure ousts two members, not J. Cooper

[ShyShy]

TORONTO (Billboard) - Two veteran members of the Cure have exited the U.K. rock act, which has long featured a revolving door of musicians backing leader Robert Smith.

Keyboardist Roger O'Donnell and guitarist Perry Bamonte are out, leaving singer/guitarist Smith, bassist Simon Gallup and drummer Jason Cooper in the fold, according to the Cure's Web site (http://www.thecure.com)

"As of Tuesday this week I am no longer a member of the Cure," O'Donnell wrote on his Web site (http://www.rogerodonnell.com). "It was sad to find out after nearly 20 years the way I did but then I should have expected no less or more."

The Cure Web site coyly said others could be part of the lineup, promising more news soon. The new lineup will be unveiled on Aug. 5 when the Cure play a festival in Castellon, Spain. The band is also confirmed for festival dates in France, Switzerland and Turkey.

O'Donnell first played with the Cure from 1987 to 1990, when he was replaced by Bamonte, a Cure roadie. Bamonte switched to lead guitar after Porl Thompson left in 1993, and O'Donnell returned to the fold in 1995.

O'Donnell has been working on a solo album, "The Truth in Me," for the past six months and will release it in the fall on an as-yet-unnamed independent label.

Rumors are also circulating that Siouxie and the Banshees principal Steve Severin will fill in at the Cure's upcoming shows in some capacity. Severin and Smith are longtime friends who recorded a 1983 side-project album, "Blue Sunshine," under the mo****r the Glove.

"It is true that we are talking again, but I haven't spoken to Robert since this story broke," Severin told Billboard.com. "All I know is that we are working together on making the most exciting remaster of 'Blue Sunshine' possible."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050528/music_nm/music_cure_dc;_ylt=AnepgovAC_0OmwWdygBVpwtxFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUl

[Cylob]

A shake-up's always good. Glad they kept Jason, he's a damned fine drummer. :)

I'm hoping they rekindle their 80's sound.

Is it too late?

[Schmeet]

[My friend's post. I can't stand the Cure]

Jason is the worst drummer in years, apart from lol though he played well on Trilogy but the sounding on that is all screwed up.

[Twilightseer]

From various forums, it looks like O'Donnell and Bamonte were let go pretty tactlessly (basically, they learnt that the Cure was to play those festivals from the press). O'Donnell did an interview a few weeks ago explaining that he was no longer happy in the band. That's understandable. He's a good keyboardist and he clearly helped make Disintegration the great album it is.
As to Bamonte, well, I never thought he brought anything to the band.

[edit, for Cylob] Jason is an awful drummer, too bad Smith didn't get rid of him while he was at it. About the 80s sound... the latest rumour is that the now-three-piece is working a new album and could bring back the great Dave Allen to produce it.

[Cylob]

It's amazing how many decent B-Sides they've done.

Worthy of a thread (methinks).

[ShyShy]

I was thinking of 'seer when I titled this thread :D

[Cylob]

We'd never have guessed! :D

[ShyShy]

After I read the article, all I kept thinking was how 'seer was gonna be pissed that it wasn't Jason :blah:

I wonder how long Robert's gonna stay with just 3 members.

[Twilightseer]

Originally posted by ShyShy
After I read the article, all I kept thinking was how 'seer was gonna be pissed that it wasn't Jason :blah:

I wonder how long Robert's gonna stay with just 3 members.

Hehe :D

Quite frankly, I'm no longer pissed at anything Smith does these days. I think that he should've stuck to his original idea and buried the Cure with Bloodflowers (which at least would've been a decent exit). He has announced the end of the band and then changed his mind so many times that people no longer care. Instead of a potentially exciting solo career, he'll probably go on for 20 more years with whoever will follow him just to keep the name "The Cure" alive. It's just sad.
No wonder I hardly ever listen to the Cure any more these days.

(PS: cylob, you're right about the B-sides :) Do you get on MSN sometimes? PM me if you do ;) )

[Schmeet]

Originally posted by Cylob
It's amazing how many decent B-Sides they've done.

Worthy of a thread (methinks).

Of course the B-sides are great. The box set Join The Dots is basically made up of 4CDs of nothing but amazing b-sides. Worthy Cure B-sides at that:D

[Cylob]

If I had a Robert Smith voodoo doll (hair and all), he'd have called it a day after the "Wish Tour". They could've continued the legacy by songwriting & producing (with optional furniture design & french-polishing).

I rest my case with "Bloodflowers". Although it was a good album, we expect nothing but EPICS from The Cure! The genius that went into the album could've kick started new careers instead. It's a classic case of "victims of your own success".

I hope you're reading this, Smith.

I do use MSN 'seer, but I'm notoriously difficult to get hold of. :)

[Cylob]

Originally posted by Schmeet
Of course the B-sides are great. The box set Join The Dots is basically made up of 4CDs of nothing but amazing b-sides. Worthy Cure B-sides at that:D I know, that's why tracks keep coming up on random. There are so many!!! Not that I'm complaining.