Lovecats: A Tribute To The Cure

After the success of The Triffid's last two tribute nights — Born To Run: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen and Go Your Own Way: A Tribute To Fleetwood Mac, the venue are now hosting Lovecats: A Tribute To The Cure. Ahead of the event we chat to the acts on the line-up, Baskervillain, Eden Mulholland, Silent Feature Era, The Jensens and Garrett Kato, about their The Cure feels. 

When you think of The Cure which of their songs first springs to mind?

Baskervillain: Definitely all the classic tunes like In Between Days, Just Like Heaven and Close To Me spring to mind; I listened to them a lot during high school. 

Eden Mulholland: Friday I'm In Love. Ultimate hooks. This song has hooks for hands. 

Silent Feature Era: The Love Cats; second is The Caterpillar.  

The Jensens: Boys Don't Cry, maybe Friday I'm In Love? Or Close To Me. Or In Between Days. Definitely Killing An Arab.

Garrett Kato: In Between Days — it's a rad song and I think it's got a beautiful melody. 

When Robert Smith turns into Mothra in South Park and triumphs over Mecha-Streisand, Kyle yells out "Disintegration is the best album ever!" Do you agree? If not which is your fave The Cure album?

Baskervillain: I wouldn't say it's the best album ever, but definitely one of my faves by The Cure. I've got a soft spot for both Three Imaginary Boys and The Head On The Door too.

Eden Mulholland: I shall not wade into what is clearly a polarising debate.  As a newcomer to Cure fandom, I cherry pick my favourite album as Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me. But there is SO much to choose from it's impossible, really.

Silent Feature Era: Kyle identifies because his mum's a bitch, but I loved The Head On The Door the most. Probably because my older brother thrashed it.

The Jensens: Probably not, I'd say Boys Don't Cry or Wish are our favorites, but Disintegration is so influential and it's great to listen to.

Garrett Kato: I like Japanese Whispers, but mainly it's because I'm half-Japanese. It's a sushi thing. 

Does your own music channel the inner-angst of Robert Smith and co?

Baskervillain: No, not really — it tends to channel our own thoughts, feelings and ideas. I think everyone's individual angst can come across in their creative output, though it's not as present in our music as it is with ol' mate Robert Smith and co.

Eden Mulholland: Most definitely. In my earlier days and in another band, I have been known to wear eye makeup.

Silent Feature Era: Not intentionally. But maybe unconsciously and surely through our own influences who were Cure fans. They had a pretty wide impact.

The Jensens: Yes, of course it does, we're a bunch of angsty bitches! The Cure definitely got me into a lot of bands with that sad heartbreak vibe and that's a big influence on a lot of stuff we write.

Garrett Kato: I'm gonna say no it doesn't, but I wish it did. And if it did I think I'd be way better than I am... Oh god.

In your experience is The Cure's assertion that Boys Don't Cry an accurate one?

Baskervillain: The title of that song is meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, right? Especially with lines like, "I try to laugh about it, hiding the tears in my eyes". Maybe Smith was touching on how so many boys at a young age learn that we shouldn't be too open or expressive of our feelings and instead try to hide emotion for fear of being judged as weak or feminine by their peers. I personally think that's silly, but it seems to stick with a lot of us throughout life, mainly just because of the societal expectations people grow up with all around the world. Do what you feel like as long as it doesn't hurt others... if that means having a cry 'cause you took your love for granted and now they're gone, why hold back? If someone judges you for that, they're probably a pretty crappy human being.

Eden Mulholland: Not really. Boys that cry is usually a sign of heightened sensitivity, potentially a winning characteristic in this modern age. But nothing is quite as poetically macho than a man who can't cry and instead has a thousand-yard stare, into the middle distance of his pain. Yeow.

Silent Feature Era: Unfortunately, no. Men really should listen to Robert. Get a grip on repressing those unhealthy emotions — how else are you going to generate your angst?

The Jensens: ​I think we feel as sarcastic about that remark as Robert Smith does.

Garrett Kato: No way, I cry all the time, I am deeply lonely.