And Robert Smith is indeed alot bigger than he thinks he is. Physically. (That includes his belly and his head). Not only is Moz still very stylish, he is also still very handsome. Robert Smith looks dreadful.

The only thing alot bigger is Robert Smith's fat ass!

Hey Robert - sorry about your face!

"Robert Smith is a whingebag." -Morrissey in a 1984 interview

How true those words still ring. I couldn't agree more, Moz. I couldn't agree more.

Did anyone see the episode of South Park with Robert Smith versus Barbara Streisand? That was funny.

Robert Smith is unpleasant and horrible to look at.

fat bastard

Sure, Robert Smith is ugly. And so what? I was at Curiosa, and The Cure gave a hell of a good show. I really don't care about what Smith thinks about Moz and vice-versa. I think they are both very talented performers.

I have never known why they hate each other? Anyone? Both are great artists in my opinion. However, the Cure is a much larger draw than Morrissey ever could be. Hands down. But really who cares or compares that? Again, why do they hate each other?

He's probably right. At the Morrissey show in Salt Lake back in 2002 there were maybe 500-700 people. It was a small ballroom at the university, and there was plenty of standing room in the back. The Curisosa festival last month was at a large outdoor ampitheater that was packed.

In Salt Lake, the show for the Your Arsenal tour in 1992 had around 9000 people.
Maladjusted in 97, around 2000.
2002 as stated above... (what's happening to Moz fans??!?!?!?)
The Cure shows I've been to since 1992 have all been in large venues with thousands more than Moz.

I'm not saying the Cure is better (although that's my inner turmoil at times), but Robert is right in this case.

for someone who hasn't written a decent song in 15 years.

its funny cause its true

"I don't mean to be big-headed but we could go and play anywhere..."

So could Brittany Spears!

No surprise that broken posted this one. Not happy with having this weeks poll, he prod's the old moz/cure hornets nest again. Cue at least 5 broken replies.
zzzzzzzzzzz!

Please....no more who is better debates. They are both credible, extremely talented and unique artists.

BTW, Their hate for eachother goes back to the 80's when they both attracted the (kind of) same fans - but with a distinct difference. Most Smiths fans hated Cure and vice versa.

They'll always gripe at eachother cause they're both like that. Who cares! They're both great in their own sweet way!

robert smith hating moz is my main concern nowadays. i love them.

jp

Siouxsie's nickname for Robert Smith was Fat Bob when he was hanging around the Banshees like a bad smell. Robert knows he's big in America. Or anywhere, in fact.

"Because Morrissey thinks he's a lot bigger over here than he actually is.."

That's actually probably true. Mention the Cure, and everyone gasps, even people who can't name a song, but know OF them. Mention Moz or the Smiths, and people stare blankly, unless they happen to be real music fans. I wish it weren't so, but that's probably why Curiosa did so well, and Moz's festival fizzled.

There's no doubt about who is BETTER, in my mind, but since when has the mass public chosen the better one?

I heard it was cancelled because the headliner pulled out -- Lol Tolhurst.

To begin, I will state the obvious:

Morrissey is still, since the dawn of his career, quite relevant as an artist in the studio and on the stage. "You Are the Quarry" has shown fans and non-fans alike that the Morrissey band is more than capable of producing awe struck material on record in present day.

The Cure was relevant. After their "Wild Mood Swings" era, no Cure work released has been in strength; not enough to stand the test of time. Expectedley, the band moves forward still, somehow.

And so, Smith stating that The Cure is able to play just about anywhere in the world to thousands during each concert gathering - quite true, however, The Cure is a name and one in fact that draws the attention of many who hardly are familiar with their catalogue. 70% of Cure concert attendees are rarely acquainted with the music. Their "fans" or the aforementioned 70% attend to witness The Cure perform the now very dry and over played 'classics'. Morrissey is able, and has over the years and in present day, to play at venues in range from 100 capacity to 10,000 capacity. We all know that the MOZ concert setting is much more intimate thus the need for a million-seat venue is unnecessary.

So, what is their to boast about Smith when your arena concert is filled with people who simply attend your 'show' for a handful of repeat material, versus the very tight and very passionate 2,000-3,000 Morrissey fans at a show who actually care thoroughly for the music?

The Cure's self titled release DID NOT fill Curiosa arenas this tour - The Cure did.

"You Are The Quarry" has sold out more than half of the recent tours itinerary [if not, nearly all] and will continue to do so this Fall - and it was not on Morrissey's name alone.

Agree?

Funny Curiosa was cancelled in Washington state because of piss pore ticket sales ala Lollapalooza. Tix sales else where could probably be chalked up in large part to Interpol.

In the Reading/Leeds poll, "Morrissey playing How Soon Is Now?" topped the 'Biggest Surprise' poll with a massive 40% (And he's nowhere to be seen in the 'Letdown of the Summer' category, either.)

And turn to page 42 for a full page ad for the Earls Court gig. Very nice. How badly do I want a T-shirt with a pic of that illuminated MORRISSEY on it?

Please Robertinho,donīt play never in my home town. Weīve got already to many ugly an fat people around here.

Aside from the fact that Robert Smith's opinion of Morrissey is completely irrelevant, not to mention a by-product of his completely blighted and unimaginative worldview, his musings on the failure of Lollapalooza are way off base. I believe Lollapalooza failed, in large part, because a cracked-out stoner like Perry Farrell was trying to organize the entire thing. His two day "festival" idea was worthless, with the major acts on the first day being forced to carry the likes of String Cheese Incident on the second. No wonder costs spiraled out of control. Does Robert think for a minute that even the Cure could have covered the expenses of putting on a two day festival when the second day amounted to little more than a glaze-eyed, hackey-sack kicking, jam festival?

and robert is right....moz plays tiny theatres, the cure fill amiptheatres!!!!

..who only post on this board when their hero is mentioned.

Haven't they got something better to do?

In the UK, they are currently a lot less popular than Morrissey. The only way they can keep going is as a nostalgia act. Sure, they had a new album out this year but the critics thought it was useless as did the public who voted with their feet.

Moz is a vibrant contemporary artist who's just enjoyed his biggest success in the singles chart of the last 15 years, and his biggest radio hit of all time. The Cure's only new single achieved one week in the top 40 and was rightly ignored by radio stations and television channels the length of the country because it was utterly crap. Most of The Cure's current setlist dates from the 80's coz that was the last time they wrote any decent songs (admittedly Just Like Heaven and Pictures of You were very good).

Comments like these from lardy arse Smith just show that he is now as utterly deluded as he is bitter and talentless.
J

I am more concerned with the White Stripes than the Robert Smith...Who voted 15 year olds...

Robert Smith is an asshole just like most Cure fans. Cure fans are like Radiohead fans. They think they are so much better than everyone. The truth is The Cure is a "has been" band and have been that way for years now. As for Robert Smith, he couldn't sell a solo album if he had to.

ok, now for my worthless comment.

Robert may be technically correct, yes.
But they are both great artists.

I saw one earlier comment that stated most cure fans go based on their name as opposed to the quality of their new material. sure, that could be true for a lot of people in attendance at cure shows. But wasn't "maladjusted" just as panned as some recent cure albums? whether or not Moz's Radio City shows sell out remains to be seen...but both could play theatres easily.

When it all comes down to it though. The Cure and Morrissey are both bands that have CULT followings in the US. Both had hit singles here in the 80s, but that's it. now they're both successful in the sub-mainstream kind of way. So a question of who's "bigger" doesn't hold much.

Besides, Robert may make these comments, but isn't Moz himself a bit of a "bitch" from time to time? he's been very open about the many things he hates, and in quite the snubby way, too!
I've always thought their "feud" was rather comical, as most people i know that like one always like the other. Besides, Robert's even said he really has nothing personal against him cuz he's never met him. just not a fan of his music.

Hey Robert let's you and I act like we are in a spat and it will get us some extra press. C'mon don't you find it strange that they both are very close to Siouxsie Sioux. I'll say this...Morrissey (&The Smiths) and The Cure are the two bands I hold as favorites. Regardless of his words Smith is a brilliant and extremely talented man. Too bad one day they couldn't record together as they both have done with Siouxsie.

The Cure may have a far wider appeal, but let's face it, Smith's a joke now! Moz is to this day an Artist with a capital 'A.'
Smith may also be forgetting that Interpol and those other gigantic bands just may have helped sell tickets to those concert halls (not gigantic ampitheaters).
Fat jokes are easy but unnecessary 'cause that has zip to do with writing forgettable, formulaic songs.
But he ain't helping himself with keeping that hairdo and the gaudy makeup.

Dear Robert Smith,

You don't need to lose weight nor skip the ho-ho's and Krispy Kreme. You look fine the way you are, it worked for us!

Sincerely,

Kirstie Alley, James Gandolfini, Rosie O'Donut, Shawn Kemp, Oprah Winfrey, Ricki Lake, Luther Vandross, Carnie Wilson, Shaq, Anna Nicole Smith, Camryn Manheim, 'Bubba' Clinton, Monica Lewinsky, Roseanne, Grimace and Ruben Studdard

One thing is for sure, you will never see these two kiss and make up. Moz and Elton John may have sucked it up for Jobriath, but there is NO common ground which would spark an understanding with Rob. It has been going on for years so no-one can really place blame on either. Moz could be the bigger man in this case and not reply, but we all know that will never happen and he will have his own crack back any time soon. Despite the email I posted above, I think it's a sad thing for fans of this genre to have to endure. Actually, no I don't. Moz will have his run, Robert will have his, and both acts will do fine. Just because these two Englishmen can't get along doesn't mean that their music and art will suffer. At least not until someone decides to blast the other one in a song ala Shaquille O'Neal.

Let's see The Smiths reform and find out who fills stadiums. Robert is afraid to do anything solo because he knows he is living on material 15 years old.
I know The Smiths wouldn't put out junvenile titles like Bloodyflowers or horrible silly childish cartoons on an album cover.
Someone still has artistic integrity.
The Smiths are as large as the Cure and were around a fraction of the time. Some haven't heard of the Smiths because they never did Pepsi Smash or hired some half-wit producer to make 'em limp-korn-like.

back to bed, cat man.

I don't know how much sense it makes to say that Lollapalooza failed because of Morrissey. I went three times (93, 94, and 95), and even though I liked the "headliner", I didn't go because of them. The attraction of Lolla was always that it was ahead of the curve... a chance to see 3 or 4 bands that you had heard good things about. In addition, I liked that there were bands that most of the crowd wouldn't have gone to see on their own. I never would have seen A Tribe Called Quest/Beastie Boys/ or Parliment Funkadelic if they didn't play Lollapalooza in 94.

This Lollapalooza was much weaker. On the day that Morrissey was playing, there were maybe only two other bands that I was interested in checking out. Having the bands spread out over two days killed Lollapalooza this year, not Morrissey.

well, mozz says stupid things about robert smith and robert smith says stupid things about morrissey so what? mozz hates the cure and the cure hates mozz, itīs ok with me, i love both of them, they are great.
Morrissey and the smiths changed my life in a way the cure didnt but that does not mean they are not a wonderful band because they really are.
Both morrissey and robert behave like children sometimes.

I once met Robert Smith on a ferry from Dover to Ostend, and he actually is a very nice guy. I was wearing a Smiths T-shirt, he gave me a little grin and an autograph. He seemed pretty down to earth and very approachable, so also in that respect he is the opposite of Moz.
It is probably true that the cure can sell out pretty much every place, but so can Celine Dion.

he looks really sad and irrelevant, going on about it. did Moz organise the festival, decide who was playing? that makes sod all sense.
Lucy

When was the last time? Anyone know.

As far as I know he never gets asked about the Cure. Seems the journalists know they are irrelevant too.

just read on some cure site that the curiosa shows lost about 250k a night, 500k in the bigger markets. guess the cure aren't all that popular either...

Rolling Stone reported in their September 30th issue that this summer was "the worst concert season since 1979" for many artist touring the US.

The reason mostly has to do with ticket and gas prices, as well as another explaination given below.

An excerpt from page 40:
Lollapalooza: The numbers
Only two of thirty-one planned shows sold well. One Northeast date reportedly moved just 450 tickets.

The problem: "Ticket prices were too high, and Morrissey fans don't want to sit in a field for two hours," says a prominent agent. He also added that Morrissey's new US theater tour is selling well.

But can we have a vote to not have anyone submit any more articles that have to with the whole Robert vs. Moz thing (if it is even still a "thing")? I love them both, but, gees, the whole thing gets to be redundant, and what makes it redundant are the fans' responses -- from either side. "Robert is a fat ass. Moz is a has-been. Robert eats too many twinkies. Moz is, well, still a has-been." Blah, blah, blah...

I. Don't. Care. And, apparently, neither does Morrissey; he hasn't commented on Robert Smith since I was in elementary school!

Enough said. (Be gone, immaturity, be gone!)

One explanation why. Go get a Rolling Stone magazine and open the back cover. Now look at the first 20 bands or "artists" on the Billboard chart and you'll see America is a lost cause. Music here is dead. We live on imports now. People care more about the latest gangsta rapper, country singer or teeny pop star more than anything with an ounce of taste.
HAHAHAHA Mr. record company exec. You deserve mp3s. You have packaged and controlled the music scene here to the point that it's falling apart. Now you are attacking concerts to try and squeeze us there because we can't "bootleg" a live show experiance. I just bought Morrissey tickets for 3 nights of this tour and they were $75 a ticket (even for 30 rows back). Thanks to Clearchannel, Ticketmonster and everyone now following suit I am sure concert attendance will continue to decline until the industry falls apart and venues start closing (starting with the ones that are not owned by Clearchannel of course as they are independant and can not weather this kind of storm).
Kudos to bands like Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews and others who are fighting this and trying to focus on non Clearchannel venues (no comments on these examples...the bands are not the point). Look you really can't argue that in America Pearl Jam has a much larger fan base than Moz or the Cure but yet the tickets to their shows are usually $25-$30 before Ticketmonster hikes it to maybe $35-$40 with their service charge. The artists can control this. What I have to say to Moz, Robert and other artists is simply....hold onto your friends.

Morrissey is reported to have addressed NME's deputy editor as "fatty" at leeds festival in honour of the song "you're the one for me fatty."
haha is the deputy ed alex needham? he does all the moz stuff.

Well my opinion is that The Cure does not even compare to Morrissey. Morrissey's music does mean alot more to me than theirs and I have never been to a cure concert but moz does an excellent job with entertaining his fans and actually allows them to run up to him and put their arms around him and the little comments here and there really do make a difference.
      I do believe that The Cure is overrated and never will Robert be able to make such a differnce in music as moz has, he has changed it forever and I thank him for that.

you kiss ace. morrisey is like so much hotter than robert smith ever was. and like morrissey is a million time beter....

Robert and Morrissey have been sniping at one another since the early 80s. In a radio interview circa 1997, Morrissey responded to a caller's question (something along the lines of "Do you and Robert Smith of the Cure hate each other?") with "Don't believe everything you read. I've never met him though I hear he is very nice. Robert sent me an invitation to a gathering in the last year; I couldn't attend as I was out of the country." As recently as this spring, Morrissey was quoted on CNN as saying about the Cure "I was surprised to discover that they were still putting out albums and touring". Read into all this what you will, but I've never heard Robert say anything nice about Morrissey.

Please note - the quotes above are not to indicate a direct quote; i'm paraphrasing what I remember.

Anyhow, if i could just pitch in with my 2 cents: The Cure are a group of musicians; they are widely quoted in interviews as never being far from their guitars/keyboards/drums. Morrissey is widely quoted in interviews describing himself as HAVING to sing; its his calling in life. This, in my opinion, is the key point where the Cure and Morrissey differ. Not that Morrissey's band are not musicians - they are; and damn fine and Rockin musicians. But remember, its The Cure - the band, and Morrisey - the singer; there WAS a time when he was part of a band - The Smiths, but not since 1987/88.

So, the Cure have 3 hour shows, most of their albums consist of songs between 4 and 9 minutes in length, with large instrumental parts; they play large venues (where their stage show works best). Morrissey does 75 minute shows in small to medium venues (where his stage show works best), his albums do not contain instrumental songs (the smiths had oscilate wildly, but this can be explained by johnny marr's being a musician and having considerable influence in the band, can't it?), and the tunes are all radio friendly pop song length - except for the bookends on Southpaw Grammar.

Curiosa Festival had a capacity of 15,000-25,000 seats per show, on average. However, tracking the ticket sales on www.chainofflowers.com shows that on average, each Curiosa Festival show sold only half the venue typical nights had 12,000 attendees.

Morrissey's euro tour has been characterized by venues offering a capacity in the low thousands - topping off around 2000. He's been selling out many of these shows - given the concert reviews and news posts to www.morrissey-solo.com.

I adore Morrissey for his lyrics first, his beautiful vocals second, and the lovely music third.

I adore The Cure for their lovely music first and roberts lyrics second.

For almost 30 years The Cure have worked as a band; Morrissey spent five years in a band and the following 17 years as a solo singer. Morrissey's gift has been conveyed successfully by the Smiths and the various musicians he's worked with since, up to and including the current band of ten years. The Cure has conveyed its career as a band - not as a singer backed by a band. This is a significant difference.

I like The Cure and I like Morrissey - for different reasons, clearly. For better or worse, they're competitors taking swipes at one another, like coke vs pepsi, apple vs microsoft, letterman vs leno. robert and morrissey have never actually met OR talked! So what do YOU think all this is based on? One thing is clear, neither thinks of the other very often at all; in fact, it seems the interviewers force them to think of each other in order to respond to their questions. If it wasn;t for that, I don't think they'd think of one another at all, since they're such different people to begin with.

Peter

I went to curisa as well, and it was a good show, i also saw many people there wearing Moz and Smiths shirts, i have never seen a cure Tshirt at a moz show.

mmm that's as maybe Fat Bob but I think Mr Moz is quite a lot more popular in Britain right now... If we are to go on chart postions then a lowly 23 (The End Of The World) doesn't really compare to two big selling top 5 hits and an album thats stuck to the chart like a bequiffed limpet. In fact Moz has been one of the defining presences in British pop culture this year Fat Bob its's safe to say hasn't been!

who came first the robert or the moz? robert. moz is simply a cheap attempt at replacing the cure in english's gloom rock scene. While on the contrary the cure is still very prosperous and has had hits this year, when is the last time mz has had a hit? in AMERICA. the reason lollapalooza was cancelled was because of moz's defiant and cocky attitude, thus resulting in minimal fans and therefore minimal ticket sales. The cure has peaceful and loyal fans, which is why the cure has done well. As a side note, moz's music is specifically targeted towards angst ridden teenagers as a part of his marketing ploy, on the other hand the cure is a pop group and has sold records because of their ingenius lyrics and original sound. moz has nothing on the timelessness of robert smith and the cure.

I think it's pretty frivolous to drag up the "robert's a fatty" comments. What does that have to do with anything? Does that have a damned thing to do with the music? No. It only makes you diehard moz fans look desperate lash out when the only comments you can pull out involve smith's appearance. Keep it on the music...

Oh, and just because Moz hates smith and vice versa, does that mean that you have to be a lemming and follow along with it? The whole thing is pretty silly...I totally love the cure but the smith's were wonderful aswell...I'm not going to go say I despise them simply because the cure do...