MONDAY Q&A 8/16/21

Q: I know you are friends with Simon and the others in The Cure. How do you feel about the news of him leaving the band? I am so sad about this.

A: From experience, I know it is really a difficult thing to keep a band together for a year, much less 40 years. The last two years have been difficult for the band … they are certainly not immune to personal loss and the fallout of Covid. To me, Simon is a huge part of the sound of The Cure. I have had the pleasure of eating, drinking (lots!) and just talking music with Simon on many occasions over the past 15+ years. I do consider him a friend, and he, Robert and Roger have always welcomed me and my wife as part of their ‘inner circle’. Having Simon play on ‘Man Of Faith’ is certainly one of those surreal moments in BIC, and the kind words he wrote about being part of BIC still amazes me. I think in his words you can see just how important the idea of a ‘band’ is to him. I don’t think Simon realizes just how influential he is to so manybass players. I am not privy to why he decided to leave, and if I was, it would certainly not share it. He and Robert have been dear friends for so many years. It really mirrors my situation with Johnny (Indovina of Human Drama). We didn’t always see eye to eye musically, but our friendship survived, however difficult at times. I have even returned to the band for stretches and played on the last two albums. The world is certainly a bit ‘mad’ at the moment, and I only hope that whatever caused Simon to make this announcement … which had been picked up and overblown by news outlets worldwide , can be rectified and he will be part of this album that has been in the making for several years. If this album/tour is the last for this extremely influential band … I truly hope to see Mr. Gallup with his foot up on the stage monitors again; but at the end of the day, I want what is best for Simon…