It's pretty uncommon - an English band in a Parisian studio...

Robert: We came to play at the Redon Festival and Paris was in our way back...Just a matter of convenience.

Were they songs for the next album?

Robert: No, for a new single.

But the last one just came out two months ago!

Robert: It's true, but we have these songs and we feel we have to record them now, before doing more rational things. We're recording a "jazz single"... (smile) and it's nice to work here. The studio is good.

You came with your sound engineer?

Robert: Yes... He plays the bass with us on tour. It's Phil Thornalley, who also was the sound engineer and co-producer of Pornography. He works with the Thompson Twins and Duran Duran as well.

Who's The Cure today?

Robert : Laurence and me. Andy Anderson has played drums for several months but it's a flexible agreement, like with Phil. We like to play with them but it's not a definitive status.

And these rumors of a split?

Robert: The Cure split when Simon left, but the name exists and we can use it if we want. We could do a new album and a world tour or do nothing.

Laurence: Our idea of a band is one of people getting on well and wanting to work together.

On the last maxi-single ("The Upstairs Room"), you're both playing all instruments...

Laurence: There are especially computers, keyboards launching keyboards...

Robert: This maxi-single is an experiment with instruments we've never used before. It's not a new direction we will follow, even if the production by Steve Nye is flawless. We wanted to write four songs that could be on the radio. We succeeded because we've been in the Top 30 for five weeks in England. But what we're doing here is different.

It seems that you put a brake on your constant tours.

Robert: You know, when you do more than 200 concerts a year, the time comes when you're wondering what you're doing, why you're playing. And you lose the spark of wanting to play music, you end up being in an aggressive mood, making things even more tiring.

Robert, what do you do exactly with The Banshees?

Robert: Since I played with them in 1979, we kept in touch and they called me when John more or less decided to leave them. McGeoh's guitar parts are difficult, but I like that. With this again, we don't have any obligation by contract. I'll continue until we're all satisfied with the result...

Laurence, how do you react when he tells you he is going with The Banshees?

Laurence: It doesn't bother me.

Robert: You know, he's part of the "family", he has other projects too.

Laurence : There's a French band I'd like to produce when a record company decides it's worth it to invest money in them...

Their name?

Laurence: Baroque Bordello...