| Matthieu Hartley | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Matthieu Hartley |
| Born | February 4 1960 |
| Origin | Smallfield, England |
| Genre(s) | Punk rock Post-punk Gothic rock Alternative rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Keyboard |
| Years active | 1979-1983 |
| Associated acts |
Lockjaw (1977-1978) The Magazine Spies (1978-1979 The Cure (1979-1980) Fools Dance (1983) |
| Website | http://www.thecure.com/ |
Matthieu Hartley is an English musician born in Smallfield, England on February 4, 1960. 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.
Involvement in The Cure
When Matthieu and Simon first joined The Cure, 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 keyboards 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.
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 Smith 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'Donnell on Wild Mood Swings and the band's self-titled album. (See The Cure discography)
