Armed police arrest The Cure naked in the Netherlands 1980
In the annals of rock history, some stories are legendary, and some are so delightfully bizarre they seem pulled straight from a fever dream. One such tale involves the iconic band The Cure, their frontman Robert Smith, and a rather chilly afternoon in the Netherlands back in 1980.
While The Cure were busy promoting their gloomy sophomore effort, A Forest, and navigating the post-punk landscape of the early eighties, their road antics were never entirely dull. Even amidst the ethereal soundscapes of their era, the band and their entourage were clearly not afraid to indulge in some well-earned tomfoolery after a night of drinking.
Their journey took them to Rotterdam, where they stopped at The Heavy Club, a local watering hole in the South Holland seaport. Trouble, as is often the case when alcohol is involved, started with the drummer, Lol Tolhurst. According to historical accounts, Tolhurst found himself in a predicament—a rather unfortunate moment involving a phone booth and a sudden, regrettable need to relieve himself in public.
The situation escalated further when, inevitably, standards were disregarded at the venue. The aftermath of the night led to a messy situation involving public urination, adding another layer of chaos to their excursion.
With the atmosphere thick with mischief, the band and their lighting director, Angus ‘Mac’ MacPhail, decided to seek some fresh air. In a decision that would surely haunt their recollections, they piled into a touring van and headed straight for Hoek van Holland Beach, west of the city.
In the early hours of late spring, around 06:30, the decision was made: to strip down and make a cold plunge into the North Sea. The band members, including Smith and Mac, dove into the chilly water, oblivious to the fact that they were about to face a very public, very dramatic encounter.
The sight that awaited them upon returning to shore was certainly unforgettable. What was intended as a daring escape quickly turned into an international incident. Within a short time, approximately thirteen armed policemen descended upon the scene in three police cars.
Robert Smith recalled the bizarre scene to the Chicago Tribune in 1987, describing the unfolding events as “quite bizarre.” A hysterical old lady had phoned in a report of madmen running about on the beach, leading to the police intervention. Despite the absurdity, Smith and Mac managed to plead with the authorities and were eventually released, having offered whatever scant cash they possessed.
While the incident remains a testament to the wild side of rock history, it certainly added an unforgettable, if slightly scandalous, chapter to The Cure’s story. Even today, listening to songs like The Same Deep Water as You brings a certain titter to mind regarding that fateful dip in the water.
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