Matthieu Hartley
Encyclopedia
Matthieu Hartley is an English
musician
born in Smallfield
, England
. He is best known as the original keyboardist for The Cure
, but before that he and Simon Gallup
were involved in two other bands called Lockjaw
and The Magazine Spies
.
, they helped drive the band in an entirely new direction with the recording of their second album, Seventeen Seconds
, a much darker album than their debut, Three Imaginary Boys
. Matthieu also served as one of the keyboard players for the Cult Hero project. After a lengthy world tour to support Seventeen Seconds, he quit the band due to a difference in opinions with the other three members. Since leaving The Cure, he has played with different local bands, including Fools Dance
in their early stages, and worked at a zoo and as a laborer. He still keeps in touch with Robert Smith
, and lives close by.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
born in Smallfield
Smallfield
Smallfield is a village located in Surrey, England. The village is part of the census area Burstow which has a population of 4,301.Smallfield lies to the east of the M23 which runs between the M25 and London Gatwick Airport...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He is best known as the original keyboardist for The Cure
The Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, but before that he and Simon Gallup
Simon Gallup
Simon Jonathon Gallup is an English musician and bassist of the post-punk band The Cure.-Early years:...
were involved in two other bands called Lockjaw
Lockjaw (band)
- Members :* Gary Bower - vocals* Stuart Hinton - guitar* Simon Gallup - bass* Martin Ordish - drums- Discography :* Radio Call Sign / The Young Ones in November 1977...
and The Magazine Spies
The Magazine Spies
The Magazine Spies were an English post-punk band from the town of Horley. They were active during 1979 and 1980, and are notable for band members who went on to play in The Cure, Fools Dance and related projects...
.
Involvement in The Cure
When Matthieu and Simon first joined The CureThe Cure
The Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
, they helped drive the band in an entirely new direction with the recording of their second album, Seventeen Seconds
Seventeen Seconds
Seventeen Seconds is the second studio album by The Cure, released in April 1980 by Fiction Records. It is the only Cure album to feature keyboardist Matthieu Hartley, and was featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. The album reached number 20 on the British album charts...
, a much darker album than their debut, Three Imaginary Boys
Three Imaginary Boys
The album included an uncredited, final instrumental track informally called "The Weedy Burton". The fact was not acknowledged until the Deluxe Edition re-issue.-2004 Deluxe Edition:...
. Matthieu also served as one of the keyboard players for the Cult Hero project. After a lengthy world tour to support Seventeen Seconds, he quit the band due to a difference in opinions with the other three members. Since leaving The Cure, he has played with different local bands, including Fools Dance
Fools Dance
Fools Dance was a short-lived British rock band, formed in 1982 by Simon Gallup after he left The Cure, due to a conflict with Robert Smith. Initially calling themselves 'The Cry', the band played their first gig at the Covent Garden Rock Garden on the 19th April 1983...
in their early stages, and worked at a zoo and as a laborer. He still keeps in touch with Robert Smith
Robert Smith (musician)
Robert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
, and lives close by.
Trivia
- Throughout most of the band's history, Matthieu was the only member - whose sole purpose was playing the keyboard - actually credited for single-handedly playing all keyboard tracks on a Cure album. Since his departure, almost every other album has either had Robert SmithRobert Smith (musician)Robert James Smith is an English musician. He is the lead singer, guitar player and principal songwriter of the rock band The Cure, and its only constant member since its founding in 1976...
on keyboard (in addition to some other instruments) or at least three members credited for playing the keyboard. The only other keyboardist credited for single-handedly playing all keyboard tracks was Roger O'DonnellRoger O'DonnellRoger O'Donnell is an English keyboardist best known for his work with The Cure. O'Donnell has also performed in the Psychedelic Furs, the Thompson Twins and Berlin, as well as having an active solo career.- Background :...
on Wild Mood SwingsWild Mood SwingsWild Mood Swings is the tenth studio album by British band The Cure, released in 1996 .-History:After Wish, it seemed The Cure was on the brink of being disbanded due to the departure of Porl Thompson and Boris Williams. Simon Gallup was also forced to take a vacation due to health problems, which...
and the band's self-titled album. (See The Cure discographyThe Cure discographyThe discography of The Cure, an English rock band, consists of thirteen studio albums, four live albums, ten compilation albums, ten extended plays and thirty-seven singles released on Fiction Records and Geffen Records...
)