Book SummaryCured, by Lol Tolhurst

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Cured

The transformation of The Cure from its inception to becoming a star on the music scene encompassed both their creative maturation and individual progress.

The book segment recounts the formation of the group, their early engagement with the UK's punk scene, and their evolution into a band renowned for their creative and diverse musical ventures.

The Cure emerged in Crawley as a band rooted in punk, establishing ties with the local music scene.

Tolhurst emphasizes that The Cure, recognized for their melancholic melodies, were at the forefront of Crawley's punk movement. He depicts Crawley as lacking authentic distinctiveness, akin to other swiftly constructed post-World War II communities designed to accommodate families displaced by the war. The absence of optimism and clear guidance in these regions fostered conditions conducive to the birth of the punk movement.

The members of The Cure underwent their initial live performances.

The author argues that the inception of The Cure can be traced back to a bleak day in 1964, which signifies the moment he first met Robert Smith. They began their schooling at five years old in a Catholic elementary institution, which required them to commute from nearby towns. The author and Robert Smith strengthened their bond by including Michael Dempsey in their group, fostering a mutual love for music that started with joint performances at school, which set the foundation for the formation of The Cure. The group's initial concert was held on December 20, 1976, at a location called St. Wilfrid's, where the author, motivated by his appreciation for Alice Cooper, wore a black, studded catsuit and dark eye makeup.

Context

• Robert Smith is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter for The Cure. His distinctive voice and style have been central to the band's identity.
• The mid-1960s was a period of significant cultural change, with the rise of rock and roll and the beginnings of the counterculture movement, which could have impacted the musical interests of young students.
• The December 20, 1976, concert marked the beginning of The Cure's journey as a live band, setting the stage for their future career.
• The school environment likely provided opportunities for students to engage in music through talent shows, assemblies, or music classes, which would have been platforms for early performances.
• The Cure was originally formed under the name "Easy Cure" before shortening it to "The Cure" in 1978.

The influence of the punk genre, highlighted by groups like The Clash, The Jam, and The Stranglers, was considerable.

Tolhurst emphasizes the impact of the late '70s punk movement on The Cure, noting their attendance at concerts featuring The Clash, The Jam, and The Stranglers in Crawley as well as in London. Lol Tolhurst recounts how, together with Robert Smith, they adopted the distinctive style, fashion, and ethos characteristic of the punk movement. They adopted a confrontational fashion to set themselves apart from their peers in Crawley, wearing the usual punk garb, and eventually went to their first punk gig in London, where they saw The Stranglers live. The concert, marked by its punk style featuring spiked hairstyles and the use of safety pins as accessories, coupled with the dynamic energy of a burgeoning subculture, profoundly impacted Robert Smith and inspired the whole group to inject their music with a fresh sense of purpose.

Context

• While rooted in punk, The Jam incorporated elements of mod culture and were known for their sharp lyrics and energetic performances. They played a significant role in the mod revival of the late 1970s.
• The punk movement laid the groundwork for the post-punk genre, which The Cure is often associated with. Post-punk bands took the raw energy of punk and incorporated more experimental sounds and themes.
• A town in West Sussex, England, where The Cure originated. It was not a major cultural hub, making trips to London for concerts significant for exposure to the punk scene.
• Punk music is typically fast-paced, with short songs, simple melodies, and straightforward lyrics. It often features aggressive guitar riffs and a raw, unpolished sound.
• Punk gigs in London during this era were not just musical events but cultural gatherings that fostered a sense of community and shared identity among attendees.
• The late 1970s was a time of economic hardship and social unrest in the UK, and punk fashion reflected the frustration and disillusionment of the youth during this period.

The Cure evolved from its punk roots to embrace a wider and more exploratory musical style.

The writer argues that an especially exhilarating element of the band's evolution was their ability to incorporate new ideas into their music, moving from a three-piece band with punk roots to a larger collective ready to explore novel sonic territories.

The group's creative progression is clear, beginning with their initial release "Three Imaginary Boys" and carrying on through their following works, such as "Seventeen Seconds" and "Faith."

Tolhurst considers the band's evolution and individual development to be mirrored in the sequence of their recordings, namely "Three Imaginary Boys," "Seventeen Seconds," and "Faith." Three Imaginary Boys, The Cure's first album, was controlled by Parry, Fiction Records' owner, and is characterized by Tolhurst as being more of a power-pop effort that doesn't really reflect the direction he and Robert Smith wanted to go. Robert Smith was uncomfortable with the finished album's artwork because he had been excluded from the design process, and he disliked both the artwork and the album. During the production of "Seventeen Seconds," Robert Smith's creative influence grew stronger, marking a transition from the band's original power-pop style to a sound that was more somber and minimalist, influenced by bands like Wire and Siouxsie and the...

Cured Summary The group members faced challenges in their relationships with one another.

The story explores the internal conflicts of the band, including Simon Gallup's departure and later reinstatement in his role handling the bass guitar, along with the intense legal battles that almost caused the band to break up.

Disagreements and battles for control among the group members

The writer reflects on the difficulties that threatened the cohesion of the group members, often arising from outside influences and disagreements within the group regarding the creative path and governance of their collaborative works. He recounts that these strains were frequently magnified due to personal disparities and insufficient dialogue.

Disagreements emerged over the creative path and the handling of artistic choices within the band.

Tolhurst regards the times he dealt with outside individuals, particularly when they involved Robert Smith, his long-standing companion and the group's frontman, as among the most challenging episodes he faced while being part of The Cure. Lol Tolhurst, in collaboration with Robert Smith and Michael Dempsey, played a pivotal role in shaping the band's sound and managing its business matters. As the band's popularity grew, it cast a...

Cured Summary The personal odyssey of the writer includes the pursuit of self-awareness, struggles with addiction, and the quest for redemption.

The narrative explores the author's journey from addiction to a sober existence and his commitment to repairing the bonds that were damaged due to his previous behavior.

The writer's struggles with substance dependence had a significant impact on his personal and professional life.

Tolhurst asserts that while alcohol addiction is a devious and harmful affliction capable of wreaking havoc on lives, individuals afflicted by it can find salvation through seeking assistance. He candidly recounts his slide into alcohol addiction and its profound influence on every aspect of his life. He discloses that the unending sequence of shows, coupled with his struggle to navigate the challenges associated with celebrity status, drove him into a deeply harmful pattern. He also recounts the pain of observing his career crumble while his relationships with those he valued most deteriorated.

The writer's spiral into substance abuse and the subsequent impact on his personal connections and psychological well-being.

The author candidly discusses his battle with alcoholism and how it profoundly and negatively affected his existence. He recalls his early experiences with alcohol as a...