I was a little indecisive about posting this but it was vetted and we're not talking about Jimmy Savile so here goes...
It seems pretty clear, after seeing all the signposts, that Porl has either undergone or will undergo gender reassignment surgery. No announcement will be made, obviously (and this is definitely not an announcement). I have no contact with the band or any individual member or any member of any of their families or any employee of The Cure, you get the idea. This is not a statement of fact or an attempt to embarrass, as if that would be possible...
A few points...
(1) The radical change over 2007-8 continuing into 2009. Nothing in and of itself.
(2) The e-mail from last year...about his mind being in a better place than for a long while.
(3) Leaving the band and auctioning much of his Cure paraphernalia.
(4) The physical change apparent at the Coachella gig. The estrogen therapy was beginning to take effect, I'll stop there.
(5) Legally changing his name from Paul to Pearl (which has been done).
He was always somewhat 'ambiguous' especially during the '89-'92 period, again nothing in and of itself, so were the others. Someone making that decision would certainly be in a much better space psychologically as the, confusion for lack of a better word, would rapidly dissippate. He left the band because he was at the end of the line as far as not wanting to go public, any longer and the changes would have given the game away. It wouldn't surprise me if he knew that Coachella was the final gig. It's been four years since Coachella and the remaining steps would have been completed. Has anyone seen a picture since Coachella? He auctioned his paraphernalia because he knew he would never appear with The Cure again, ever. I was hoping too but once this all became clear, well... Those that saw Coachella saw his final appearance. That was a very very quiet and reserved crowd, does anyone know why? Is that today's American festival crowd? I don't think we'll ever see Pearl again actually. The occasional message, possibly.
None of this is in an effort to embarrass. It just kind of all fell into place and it might dispel some of the mystery for a lot of people...which is a good thing. Back when I was in 'what the hell is going on' mode, I was feeling a big judgemental. Now, just the opposite. I'm happy for PT (which still works) and wish PT all the luck and happiness in the world. Thanks for all the wonderful music and all the years of being an irreplaceable member of The Cure. Say hello every now and then, huh?
I'm not exactly sure what your point is here... :?
You could easily have added this to the other thread you'd already posted in.
I'll just repeat my comment from there:
QuotePorl is a true artist, going his own way in a unique style.
I guess Pearl will continue working in arts? (Don't forget, PT co-designed many covers for the band, before & after rejoining them as a musician. And worked as a painter/artist for years after he quit in '93.)
Quote from: Ulrich on July 23, 2013, 14:33:53
I'm not exactly sure what your point is here... :?
You could easily have added this to the other thread you'd already posted in.
I'll just repeat my comment from there:
QuotePorl is a true artist, going his own way in a unique style.
I guess Pearl will continue working in arts? (Don't forget, PT co-designed many covers for the band, before & after rejoining them as a musician. And worked as a painter/artist for years after he quit in '93.)
Didn't add it in to the other thread because it would have sunk to the bottom without a trace. You are correct, but that was my reasoning.
My comments should not be construed as an accusation...toward anyone. Bands and band members don't owe the fans anything, not even a single moment of their time. At some point, they began to feel an obligation (to a greater or lesser degree) to cough up a minute here, a minute there, some feigned politeness while always thinking 'I gotta get out of here, shit to do you know...'. There are genuine exceptions. A few million albums sold and a sack of cash and they either go over the edge or get humble. You know which direction The Cure chose. If someone in Motorhead for example left the band to get the surgery, Lemmy would be the first to say 'the barmy bastard left to get his bollocks lopped off'. The Cure is the complete opposite. He's off, not a single word about it (not THAT it happened and not WHY it happened). Do I feel I'm owed an explanation? No. Their lives are theirs and they are free to do whatever the hell they want without getting the approval of the fans. Although I would loudly disagree if they dumped Simon in favor of the guy from Subway Sect...outside of that my statement stands. My point in all THIS (since I knew you were gonna ask)? None. A bunch of different pieces of information mixed with various thoughts and sometimes you get a new thought. That's all this is. If true, the only thing I have to say is 'go for it, good luck, enjoy yourself and thank you'.
If all this turns out to have some merit, I can't help but think that there's ONE particular item that would have fetched a good price at auction...
Quote from: cheyler on July 23, 2013, 18:41:30Didn't add it in to the other thread because it would have sunk to the bottom without a trace
Oh, that might happen to this thread as well.
You've lost me a bit when explaining (or trying to explain) why this thread needs to not sink without trace, especially as there is no point. But never mind, maybe someone else will understand and give you excellent feedback.
I get it, this bugs you for some reason. To satisfy my curiosity, please tell me how. I'm not trying to challenge you or tell you you're full of shit or whatever, I'm genuinely interested in how this idea may piss folks off. It's just an opinion/idea, possibly discussion of this aspect of someone's life when they clearly (assuming it's true) did not wish to disclose this information? I can see that. I definitely did not do it to offend and I certainly do not care about positive feedback. If this all pans out, I would not dream of trying to ridicule or humiliate or verbally assault anyone. It's just a conclusion drawn from various bits of information. I'm pretty much in awe of anyone who has gone down that road. It would take unimaginable amounts of courage, more than I've got. Not that if I had the courage I'd do the same thing, definitely milquetoast in my house! Thanks for taking the time to read this and respond without accusations and swearing. That's pretty much the whole point of the site I think...
Quote from: cheyler on July 24, 2013, 06:19:02
I get it, this bugs you for some reason.
No, it doesn't bug me, I just don't understand it. :oops:
The other thread (started by you not long ago) is just here in the same branch of the forum, so why 2 new threads with almost the "same" topic (both of which might sink without trace)?
Quote from: cheyler on July 24, 2013, 06:19:02
It's just an opinion/idea, possibly discussion of this aspect of someone's life when they clearly (assuming it's true) did not wish to disclose this information?
This "information" was given by Pearl a while ago, you can still read it here (incl. link to the news posted on ChainofFlowers blog):
http://curefans.com/curenews/porl-won't-longer-play-in-the-cure/ (http://curefans.com/curenews/porl-won't-longer-play-in-the-cure/)
Quotei am working on a lot of new projects..jewellery, music, art and mixed media;
This is good to know, isn't it?
I personally don't care if Porl turns into an alien. I am not interest to know about the personal life of The Cure members. All I know is that Porl is probably the best musician the band ever had. That's all it matters for me.
I know some persons might be interested knowing more about artist's personal life (i.e I remember in a Queen Fan Foum some members discussing about when Freddie Mercury may have contracted his disease), but I am, personally, more interested in the artist side more than in the personal side.
Of course, I also understand some people are just curious :)
Quote from: dsanchez on July 24, 2013, 10:04:08
... personally, more interested in the artist side more than in the personal side.
Me too! But sometimes, it can be interesting how one influenced the other, what inspired the songs etc.!
This is just something that occurred to me after reading and hearing all the different bits and pieces, I didn't set out to try to prove or disprove anything, just a completely random thought that seemed to make sense and I put it out there to get your opinions. I'm not trying to get people to slap me on the back (or across the face). Seems like there's mainly the attitude of '...uh, who f*cking cares?...', which is as valid as any other response. If it's true, fine by me. If not, I was wrong, fine by me. Simply by broaching this subject, I'm fairly certain that I am not damaging or destroying the life and/or reputation of someone who is, after all, a very public figure. It is after all purely speculation, I'm sure PT has been rumoured to be involved in far more decadent behavior over the years (simply because of his appearance and the fact that he was in The Cure...most definitely NOT based on any facts!). I'm a fan of the guy after all, love his playing and guitar sound and the albums and tunes he's been involved in and the gigs he was at are the best gigs the band ever played. If this is a subject that is off limits then I'm in the wrong place...
Quote from: cheyler on July 24, 2013, 18:55:20
This is just something that occurred to me after reading and hearing all the different bits and pieces, I didn't set out to try to prove or disprove anything, just a completely random thought that seemed to make sense and I put it out there to get your opinions. I'm not trying to get people to slap me on the back (or across the face). Seems like there's mainly the attitude of '...uh, who f*cking cares?...', which is as valid as any other response. If it's true, fine by me. If not, I was wrong, fine by me. Simply by broaching this subject, I'm fairly certain that I am not damaging or destroying the life and/or reputation of someone who is, after all, a very public figure. It is after all purely speculation, I'm sure PT has been rumoured to be involved in far more decadent behavior over the years (simply because of his appearance and the fact that he was in The Cure...most definitely NOT based on any facts!). I'm a fan of the guy after all, love his playing and guitar sound and the albums and tunes he's been involved in and the gigs he was at are the best gigs the band ever played. If this is a subject that is off limits then I'm in the wrong place...
I think thats perfect! POrls sound...we shouldve nicknamed Porl " The Sound "because i have never heard anything like it before. Im so gonna miss it
A picture of Pearl in a recent event in NYC.
Apart from the hair, can't see him changed a lot...
Anyway, good to see he still has his guitar (and plays it)! :smth023
Y
Quote from: Ulrich on October 09, 2013, 12:57:27
Apart from the hair, can't see him changed a lot...
Anyway, good to see he still has his guitar (and plays it)! :smth023
yes! Very happy hes stil playing guitar. Im abit confused about him still...still mourning the fact we'll never hear him again in the Cure.
Another photo...
Quote from: dsanchez on October 10, 2013, 11:04:07
Another photo...
ok. Im not confused anymore,lol. Im not laughing at her.
Quote from: Ikissedyoursmile on October 10, 2013, 17:24:35
Im not laughing at her.
No reason to anyway. :)
(Sorry for writing "he" in my post above, still used to the old days.)
Btw, who's the guy in the 1st pic? An actor? His face seems familiar...
Quote from: Ulrich on October 11, 2013, 13:05:50
Quote from: Ikissedyoursmile on October 10, 2013, 17:24:35
Im not laughing at her.
sorry i have no idea who the guy is.
No reason to anyway. :)
(Sorry for writing "he" in my post above, still used to the old days.)
Btw, who's the guy in the 1st pic? An actor? His face seems familiar...
That's her new interesting website ...
http://perla157.simdif.com/ (http://perla157.simdif.com/)
And a song: https://soundcloud.com/swansons-daughter/butter-knife
Nobody believed me?? It was pretty obvious what was going on. Had a bit of facial surgery too, Porl was never one of nature's most aesthetically favored individuals (is that watered down enough?). After seeing the photos, I can't believe I'm saying this but...it appears that Porl made a good call, Pearl looks pretty damned good.
Quote from: cure89 on December 09, 2013, 09:46:59
That's her new interesting website ...
Check the news section from time to time, folks! ;)
http://curefans.com/curenews/pearl-thompson-launches-new-website/ (http://curefans.com/curenews/pearl-thompson-launches-new-website/)
Quote from: cheyler on December 12, 2013, 07:00:52
Nobody believed me??
Believed what? Nobody who posted replies to you doubted anything about the changes from Porl to Pearl.
I myself just wondered what you were on about at all...
From my first post in this topic:
QuoteI'm not exactly sure what your point is here
I want to try something here...
Pick a band, past or present, that you really like or maybe even your favorite band ever. It can't be The Cure (just for this purpose anyway). Next let's have the name of your favorite person in the band. Would you be surprised if the favorite member of your favorite band up and quit in order to have a sex change? Would you be upset? Would you...maybe even...mention it to someone? Maybe also be a bit curious about what this someone thinks about it?
That is what I was on about. Nothing else.
There was no acrimony when Porl left the band (again)...at least not from the band themselves (fans yes, band no). Who was going to announce that it was happening and why? Porl? Doubt it. RS? Even less likely. Porl was just getting on with what he had already started and any additional band activities at that time (almost five years ago now) would have delayed or made impossible what he was doing. I wasn't sure what kind of public life he would want to have afterward but now it's pretty clear that he has no problem about it (which is great). I'd even bet that Pearl will be at the 'last gig' for a song or two and that will be VERY cool. But...YEARS down the line, right? Let's hope.
Sorry, but none of this explains why you seem to assume that no-one believed you? :?
Quote from: cheyler on December 14, 2013, 22:28:59
I want to try something here...
Why? Didn't work the first time you tried, eh? :roll:
From what I gathered, you won't get any other replies as the ones you already got:
Quotepersonally don't care if Porl turns into an alien. I am not interest to know about the personal life of The Cure members
...
I'm not laughing at her
Quote from: cheyler on December 14, 2013, 22:28:59
Pick a band, past or present, that you really like or maybe even your favorite band ever. It can't be The Cure (just for this purpose anyway). Next let's have the name of your favorite person in the band. Would you be surprised if the favorite member of your favorite band up and quit in order to have a sex change?
Maybe, maybe not. Frankly I don't really care as long as I like the music...
Quote from: cheyler on December 14, 2013, 22:28:59
Would you be upset? Would you...maybe even...mention it to someone? Maybe also be a bit curious about what this someone thinks about it?
No.
The guy in the first photo is Bob Gruen, famous American rock photographer. Actually VERY VERY famous rock photographer. Makes me reduce my hypothetical average age of those who frequent this site (by 10 or 15 years...).
Thank you once more to our nitpicker-in-residence for showing me the error of my ways.
So far am at a (-1) in karma points, no need to think for more than a split second where THAT came from. Is there some sort of record for negative points? Some sort of award possibly? Interesting that by maintaining a cool head and simply being inquisitive and speculative and not accusing or swearing or having anything bad to say about anyone gets me negative karma points while being a **** is just fine.
(oops, slipped a bit there, sorry. certainly am glad the insta-censor is right on the ball!)
Quote from: cheyler on December 16, 2013, 02:06:04
The guy in the first photo is Bob Gruen
Thanks for telling, better late than never. I knew his face from somewhere.
I don't know all that much about famous rock photographers, also mostly they are behind the camera, so with most photographers I don't know their faces (with the notable exception of Richard Bellia, who took some photos of RS too)...
Quote from: cheyler on December 16, 2013, 02:06:04
Interesting that by maintaining a cool head and simply being inquisitive and speculative and not accusing or swearing or having anything bad to say about anyone gets me negative karma points while being a **** is just fine.
You're turning into a troll now.
I did reply in honesty to your above questions. You did NOT reply to my questions (e.g. why you assume "nobody believed you"?)...
The negative karma, I think, came from a different topic ("D. M.Allen"). ;)
Didn't mean to sidestep your question. The whole matter was pretty interesting, to me anyway. Think of what all the kids would say if suddenly Justin Bieber (name correct?) went out and had a sex change. Not a fan of this guy, but after I stopped laughing I may very well have had a comment about it.
Didn't really assume no one believed me, it just seemed that no one was terribly interested. I was mainly interested in the comments of those who WERE interested. There were some and they were interesting. You weren't terribly interested but your comments were interesting too.
I never intended to 'offend' anyone (including you), I just found the whole thing interesting (there's that word again). We could be 'pals', right?? (:)) Certainly less than productive to take personal offense at another's speculation re: a third party's actions/habits. I point that sentence at myself as well. Anyway, the subject has hit the buffers so that's that.
So, how was your day ulrich? :)
Forgot to mention, I've never been a big fan of Dave Allen as a producer. The material on the Sisters first album really needed and deserved a heroic effort in order to present and preserve those songs correctly. That material, in my opinion, was really some special stuff that needed to be captured properly because (again, opinion) it is really some timeless stuff. Not only was it poorly mixed, it also sounds as if it was poorly recorded and there's nothing anyone can do about that, especially almost thirty years later. Damn.
Quote from: cheyler on December 19, 2013, 11:23:45
I just found the whole thing interesting (there's that word again).
Yeah, very "interesting" that you kept riding around on that subject. Already when you started a 2nd thread with basically the same topic, it was "suspicious" (like someone trying to create a stir). :(
Quote from: cheyler on December 19, 2013, 11:23:45
So, how was your day ulrich? :)
Does not belong here. Send PM or start topic "how was everyone's day?" :roll:
Quote from: cheyler on December 19, 2013, 11:23:45
The material on the Sisters first album ...
And you were really incapable to put this where it belongs (into the D.M. Allen topic)? :o
I haven't felt the need to reply to different aspects of your answers in different areas of the forum. Since you bring up all sorts of different topics within your replies it only makes sense to answer them all in the same place and also keep generalized statements within the body of my reply. You might never find them all if I replied to each part in what you would consider its 'relevant' topic. Same as applies in American law, once either the defense or prosecution broaches a subject then the other party is free to take up the subject during cross-examination. Since the Porl/Pearl Today subject is what brought this little happy family together it only makes sense to keep it there. Say, just so we keep things on track, didja notice that Porl had a sex change?
Quote from: cheyler on December 21, 2013, 13:05:24You might never find them all if I replied to each part in what you would consider its 'relevant' topic.
Don't worry, this forum is not that busy, I would find them all! (Also btw, I think I could have myself notified via email if I wanted to be "up-to-date" about topic replies!) :)
In this topic here, all is said and done (as far as I am concerned). Keep on trolling! ;)
Since this has turned into a personal issue rather than a discussion about the 'new' Porl Thompson, I am going to lock this topic until further notice. Hopefully it will help to calm the waters.
Merry christmas and all the best to you!
Just saw a recent webcast/interview with Pearl. Seems he's settling in to more of an androgynous role rather than a female. He was not wearing a wig, the host referred to Pearl as he/him. He also has a quite attractive girlfriend.
Quote from: plasticpassion on December 25, 2015, 10:19:51
Just saw a recent webcast/interview with Pearl.
Can you post a link or any hint where to find that? :?
Sure, I'll see if I can find it again.
YouTube- Tortoise & The Hare Experience Interview Porl Thompson.
Ok, thanks, I'll try and find that.
Edit: ok, we had that already here:
http://curefans.com/curenews/pearl-thompson-solo-exhibition/ (http://curefans.com/curenews/pearl-thompson-solo-exhibition/)
Quote from: plasticpassion on December 25, 2015, 10:19:51
Just saw a recent webcast/interview with Pearl. Seems he's settling in to more of an androgynous role rather than a female. He was not wearing a wig, the host referred to Pearl as he/him. He also has a quite attractive girlfriend.
That was the impression I was getting too. Hope he's doing well.
Quote from: cheyler on January 01, 2016, 02:56:08
Quote from: plasticpassion on December 25, 2015, 10:19:51
Just saw a recent webcast/interview with Pearl. Seems he's settling in to more of an androgynous role rather than a female. He was not wearing a wig, the host referred to Pearl as he/him. He also has a quite attractive girlfriend.
That was the impression I was getting too. Hope he's doing well.
To me, he ressembles Genesis P Orridge more and more, the way he looks.
Ooh, that's not terribly flattering... :P
The woman in the photo on the site was the female co-host, and she is quite attractive isn't she? Pearl continually mentions his 'partner' and she does answer a few questions later in the hour although she's not actually introduced...not that we really need to know her name or see a photo of her, Pearl being a very private individual. Pearl speaks more during this conversation than all of the interviews with him over the years combined, and it's quite fascinating and revealing. The male co-host seems extremely young, naïve and somewhat unintelligent and he asks some very stupid questions. Time well-spent however. Max, the female co-host, has a bit of an ego, but she's apparently extremely unwell although it's difficult to tell...best wishes to her.
Quote from: piggymirror on January 20, 2016, 17:06:58
Quote from: cheyler on January 01, 2016, 02:56:08
Quote from: plasticpassion on December 25, 2015, 10:19:51
Just saw a recent webcast/interview with Pearl. Seems he's settling in to more of an androgynous role rather than a female. He was not wearing a wig, the host referred to Pearl as he/him. He also has a quite attractive girlfriend.
That was the impression I was getting too. Hope he's doing well.
To me, he ressembles Genesis P Orridge more and more, the way he looks.