JANUARY
Reading, Eden Studios
Recording the Top album. Robert Smith played on most instruments except drums,
Phil Thornalley being in Australia producing and Lol being unable to follow
physically (he helped with some lyrics though). The sound on record reflected
that : large amounts of alcohol, magic mushrooms (inspiring Throw Your Foot's
lyrics), living an alienating life style... Also Robert would often jump on
a cab to join the Banshees recording the Hyaena album before coming back to
Reading and work some more on the Cure's album. No wonder he confessed a breakdown
later.
It should be noted that Dylan Thomas turned into Robert's favorite poet during
this era. Actually when the recording of Birdmad Girl began, the song didn't
have the finished lyrics so lines from Love In The Asylum were sung to have
a vocal track on tape. The poem refers to a "girl mad as birds".
Another
song from the Top album, Bananafishbones, finds its origin in a novel by J.D
Salinger entitled A Perfect Day For Bananafish.
Porl Thompson (taking care of the record covers with Andy Vella) was asked
to play saxophone on Give Me It at the end of the recording session and finally
stayed in the band. A good choice since he could do guitar parts and keyboards
on stage.
30th
Munchen, Alabama Halle
A one-off concert for German TV was set up with Norman Fisher Jones on bass.
That was also used as test for a live performance for later if Phil Thornalley
couldn't go on tour with the band.
FEBRUARY
02th
Kid Jensen Session, BBC radio
The session included Norman Fisher Jones on bass (Thornalley still being unavailable)
, Porl on guitar/keyboards, Lol on keyboards, Andy Anderson on drums and Robert
Smith. The songs recorded were The Empty World, Piggy In The Mirror, Give
Me It, Bananafishbones.
24th
Manchester, Oxford Road Show
TV
Two new songs live on TV (Shake Dog Shake & Give Me It). Norman Fisher
Jones on bass with the band for the last time (his time replacing Phil was
short-lived).
MARCH
Robert dedicated most of this month to the Banshees : TOTP, touring... Since
he wanted to remain Steve Severin's friend. The
Caterpillar being the next planned single, the band asked Tim Pope to
make a video for the song. It was filmed at the Palm House, Kew Gardens, Surrey.
Porl also had to draw the cover in one day being inspired by Dali and Miro's
paintings.
30th
The Caterpillar / Happy The Man single release (FICS 20).
APRIL
The Tube TV appearence.
Phil Thornalley was now on bass and would stay so for the rest of the year.
Robert, Lol, Porl and Andy also helped recording Tim Pope's own single, I
Want To Be A Tree, produced by Chris Parry. The vinyl would read : "A
Smith is a good as a smile" on the b side. During the same recording
at Olympic studios, Robert took the opportunity to record a song on his own
(using a drum machine and while being "under the influence") : New
Day. The idea for the song dated back December 1983 (Shout / Sadacic) but
never really worked out well while making The Top album.
25th
Newcastle, City Hall
A sold out tour in the UK debuted (with And Also The Trees as special guests).
The live repertoire included : Killing An Arab, 10:15 Saturday Night, Three
Imaginary Boys, Play For Today, A Forest, M, Primary, The Drowning Man, Forever,
Charlotte Sometimes, One Hundred Years, The Hanging Garden, The Figurehead,
Cold, The Walk, The Lovecats, Shake Dog Shake, Wailing Wall, Give Me It, The
Caterpillar, Piggy In The Mirror, The Empty World, Bananafishbones, The Top.
26th
Edinburgh, Playhouse
One of the few times they played The Figurehead that year. Robert dedicated
the song to "who'd ever jump on stage and nick my jacket" and sang
the end of the song differently. The Caterpillar was introduced under the
title : "Lastly Under Rehearsed". Forever included from lines from
Sadacic (or Shout as it was called by then).
27th
Glasgow, Apollo
The band was gradually building their set so Happy The Man was added to the
live repertoire. The Drowning Man and Cold were put aside after this night.
Robert probably wanted to concentrate on the rest of the new songs they weren't
playing yet.
29th
Birmingham, Odeon
Shortened concert. Charlotte Sometimes made its debut on tour, in a surprisingly
slow version with alternate bass line at the beginning, (the song wasn't that
rehearsed probably) obliging Robert to show Phil the notes with the guitar.
Robert forgot Three Imaginary Boys lyrics on the other hand. The band also
tried Dressing Up for the first time live.
MAY
2nd
Manchester, Apollo
A better equipment (sound and lights) and an even more distinctive guitar
sound (with lots of effects) brought the Cure to a level they didn't reach
before on stage. Three Imaginary Boys was left off that night (maybe because
of Robert had difficulties remembering the words, the song would be played
again once in London), but they did The Figurehead again. The soundcheck saw
the Cure trying a few things like Birdmad Girl, The Lovecats and the TV theme
for the Avengers !
The Top album released (FIXS 9).
04th
Bristol, Colston Hall
Maybe the funniest moment on the tour, or how to recover from a bad start.
Robert announced the opening track, Shake Dog Shake, and nothing happened
for ages. So after a while, he just went to the microphone : "It's got
a quite arty intro". The following night in Oxford was filmed with two
cameras for promotional purposes. Only Primary
and A Forest would be shown. This concert was also recorded (along with London
dates) for a live album.
09th
London, Hammersmith Odeon
Simon Gallup attended this show. Rare playing of The Drowning Man. And the
band would try Birdmad Girl live by now. The following night, the last one
of this successful tour, Robert refered to And Also The Trees by changing
A Forest's lyrics and announced The Lovecats. Happy The Man was dedicated
to Mary there.
GO TO 1984 PART 2
