If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in a band for over 40 years, Robert Smith and photographer Paul Cox have got you covered. Their new book Stills is not just another collection of band photos; it’s a snapshot (literally) of decades of eyeliner, gravity-defying hair, and a refusal to follow musical trends.
For two decades, Cox was the go-to photographer for The Cure, working on an annual shoot that could only be described as creatively chaotic. “For around twenty years, the ‘Paul Cox Shoot’ was an annual date in The Cure’s band diary, and it came with a minimum of seven different backdrops, seven different outfits, and B&W, colour, weird and ‘normal’ shots, all usually to be achieved in a day,” Cox recalls. The result? Hundreds of photos that capture the evolution of one of Britain’s most enduring and influential bands.
What sets Stills apart from your standard rock photo book is the captions, written by Robert Smith himself. Known for his melancholic lyrics and penchant for existential pondering, Smith’s commentary is sharp, dry, and occasionally self-deprecating, as expected.
With over 275 images (200 in colour and 75 in black-and-white), this book doesn’t just celebrate The Cure; it reminds us why they’ve managed to survive in an industry notorious for discarding bands quickly. Smith, the band’s only constant member, has kept their outsider status intact, even as they’ve become festival headliners.
Paul Cox first encountered The Cure during a Top of the Pops appearance in 1980. From there, a creative partnership was born. Cox’s images became part of the band’s visual mythology, capturing not just their changing line-ups and styles, but Smith’s refusal to age in any conventional sense.
The book, set to be released on 9th September, promises to be a treat for fans and casual observers alike. But if you’re after carefully posed promo shots, you’re in for a surprise. Stills is as eccentric and unpredictable as The Cure themselves, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes look at a group that has never cared much for fitting in.
