"Robert Smith/Wishing you were European.

The existentiaism and black polo necks that became the uniform of the intellectual modern goth had to come from Europe, where looking like you had rickets was a lot easier to achieve. The notion was perfectly encapsulated in Robert Smithm first goth and Camus fetisher, later stadium enitity and South Park 'star'. In at least couple of senses of the word, Bob is massive."

(Thanks Simon)

(Thanks Hugh)

(Thanks Rodolphexxx)

(Thanks Vincent)

(Thanks Jerome)

"There is a french promo compilation CD that includes a new track from The Cranes, that will appear on the new album, at the end of the year. The new song is called "Here comes the day". It is placed on the "Elegy" CD sampler #3, which is given free with the same named french magazine (march/april 99 issue). "Elegy" is one of the best Gothic/indus/dark-wave magazine released in France. Contact : <elegy@pratique.fr> "

And if you're looking for the Creaming Jesus cover of A Forest, this might help you out :

"There is an english Gothic compilation called "Gothic Rock 3 - Black on black" that was released as a double-CD last year. It includes the very famous cover version of "A forest" by "Creaming Jesus". That cover was hard to find on CD (the original Creaming Jesus CD-single was unavailable for a long time), so it is a new chance for collectors to catch this version on CD. (Ref : Jungle FREUD CD 059) "

(Thanks Jerome)

"This well groomed A4 b&w is an absolute must for the funereally clad, providing as it does a cracking amount of info and photos. And its a freebie! There's a report on the secret gig at London's Forum in October, numerous Euro setlists and stage shots - there's even one where Mr Happy appears to need the assistance of an orthodontist! - and a rundown of umpteen recent bashes. Moreover, there are the lads' views on their new album, touring and their appreciation of Thin Lizzy, King Crimson and AC/DC. Well, blow me down!!"

(Cure info service, PO Box211, Hayes, Middx, UK, UB4 9NZ)

Congratulations to Chris, Ange, and the rest of the gang at Curenews (and Janie too!).

(Thanks Steven Kilcline)

(Thanks Steven Hallaselka)

Update: The phone number to call is 0894 333 444 and the lines are open until midnight 11th March. Still don't know if this is a UK only competition or not. The guitar that they are giving away is a 12 string aria (black).

(Thanks Steven)

Superstar Lyrics Up For Grabs (Billboard - March 5th, 1999)

"Spice Girls, Madonna, Alanis Morissette, the Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Eric Clapton are among the high-profile artists who have donated lyrics, often represented in imaginative ways, to a charity auction. The event, called Hits Under the Hammer, will put on the block more than 200 song lyrics and related artifacts in order to raise money for children's charities Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and Norwood Ravenswood.

Among the items to be offered are Aerosmith's "Crazy" lyrics, written on the straitjacket used in the song's video; the words to "Thunderball" on original, rare James Bond notepaper; and "Relax" scrawled on a "Frankie says use condoms" T-shirt.

Bernie Taupin has donated the lyrics to Elton John's "Your Song" as a painting on card in pastels and watercolors, while English rock outfit James is contributing the words to its "Sit Down" anthem on a chair. Some unpublished Jimi Hendrix lyrics, written by the author on United Airlines notepaper in 1969, are on the block, as are three songs of various vintage by the Rolling Stones.

The auction will be held March 22; meanwhile, an Internet auction of a further 170 items will be open for two weeks beginning March 15 at http://www.icollector.com. The site is already up, offering details about the rarities on offer at the London event and upcoming live Internet chat sessions with some Hits Under the Hammer contributors, such as Leo Sayer, Kevin Rowland (ex-Dexy's Midnight Runners), and Ian Dury.

The campaign will be sustained after the auctions, too, with a hardcover book in which writers will reveal previously untold stories behind their hit songs; it will be published in the U.K. and internationally in September by Sanctuary Publishing. Illustrator Storm Thorgerson, known for his celebrated album covers -- especially for Pink Floyd -- is designing and donating the cover art for the volume.

Tickets for the March 22 event, to be held at London's Sound Republic club, are three-tiered:

Those who cannot attend will be able to connect to the auction by telephone. Details are available at a dedicated Hits Under the Hammer number, 44-181-420-6849 (fax 44-181-420-6800).

-- Paul Sexton, London "

The site for the online auction is http://www.icollector.com/live/hits.htm

  "A french punk band called "Dead End" has covered "It's not you" on a french only compilation called "What's my punk ?" which was released in February. The CD is distributed in France by Wagram (ref. WAG 325). This cover is very similar to The Cure's original version, and it sounds pretty good. "

(Thanks Jerome)

"Sacramento band Oleander covers Boys Don't Cry. It was mentioned in a record review in the student newspaper at the University of California, Davis."

www.californiaaggie.com/archive/99/03/02/oleander.html

(Thanks Mike)

"According to an announcement placed by 'Equinoxe' in a German magazine called 'Sonic Seducer', a new tribute album of The Cure will be released in May. This has been confirmed by Austrian band WHISPERS IN THE SHADOW who will contribute a cover of 'Cold' "

(Thanks to Dennis at Chinese Art & German Girls)