It’s Robert Smith’s birthday today — he’s 52 — and to commemorate this clearly auspicious occasion, we present this U.K. television performance from 1984 that finds The Cure playing a trio of songs from what’s now one of the band’s most overlooked records, The Top. The 10-minute clip, uploaded by YouTube user CarnageVisors, finds the band performing “Bananafishbones,” “Piggy in the Mirror” and the album’s title track, and is notable for showcasing the short-lived lineup that featured drummer Andy Anderson and bassist Phil Thornalley.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
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- Teaser: The Cure’s Robert Smith and The Japanese Popstars, ‘Take Forever’
- Official video: Crystal Castles, featuring Robert Smith of The Cure, ‘Not In Love’
- The Cure to headline U.K.’s Bestival; billed as band’s ‘only European show of 2011′
- Milestones: The Cure’s Porl Thompson is 53; watch ‘Edge of the Deep Green Sea’
- Steven Severin: Robert Smith says ‘it’s just a matter of time’ until 2nd Glove album
Cool footage. Happy Birthday, Robert! :)
http://brethelm.blogspot.com/2010/11/cures-best-15-songs-5-best-rarities.html
I don’t know if I’d call “The Top” overlooked, as much as frustrating or problematic. It’s so scattered stylistically that no matter what I’m in the mood for, I end up skipping through it, listening to a couple of songs and then moving on to something else. I’d like it a lot better if it were maybe 2 EPs.
Did they unplug Lol’s keyboard again? :P
I think I like The Top because it is so scattered and atypical. The few clunkers are made-up with the rest.
I have always thought that The Top was one of their best. I cannot understand why it gets dogged by people. From start to finish, I find the album to be a dark, eerie, psychedelic masterpiece. There are no songs that I skip, which I certainly can’t say for The Head on the Door and Kiss Me…
I don’t have the Top album, but I do have Birdmad Girl on my Mp3. Quirky and fun, and then I dive down into “End.” That’s what I love about Cure Music – something for everyone and every mood!
Hey, I’ve had this question for a long time and it came up again while watching this from 1984. Does anyone know why Robert Smith wears a wedding ring in these early videos? His marriage to Mary P. was in the late 80’s. Just curious.
LOVE The Top, it was my introduction to The Cure. Boy, this audience looks like a bunch of zombies…no one is moving! LOL