David M. Allen

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

David M. Allen's connection with The Cure began during a period of creative expansion. His approach to production—balancing clarity with atmospheric depth—became a defining element of the band's mid-80s sound. The singles from this era—'The Caterpillar', 'Inbetween Days', 'Close to Me', 'Why Can't I Be You', 'Catch', 'Just Like Heaven', 'Hot Hot Hot'—all bear his engineering and mixing signature. Allen's meticulous work with reverb and spatial placement created the album's immersive soundscape. The singles 'Lullaby', 'Lovesong', 'Fascination Street', 'Pictures of You', and 'Never Enough' showcase his ability to make dense arrangements feel airy and emotional. Though never an official band member, Allen's engineering and mixing on these seven albums made him a crucial part of The Cure's most celebrated period.

In Their Own Story

Allen was working as a programmer and engineer. Allen had just arrived at Genetic in early 1981, following a set of solo tracks he'd written and produced in 1980—later released in 2022 as the vinyl album 'DNA of DMA'. Those early demos had landed him the position. Now, with The Cure, he found himself shaping songs that would define a generation. On 'The Head on the Door', he and Smith developed a working rhythm: Smith would sketch a song on guitar or keyboard, and Allen would build the sonic architecture around it. The result was a sound that felt both intimate and vast—a quality that reached its fullest expression on 'Disintegration'.

Reader's Guide

David M. He also worked on the singles from these albums, including 'The Caterpillar', 'Inbetween Days', 'Close to Me', 'Why Can't I Be You', 'Catch', 'Just Like Heaven', 'Hot Hot Hot', 'Lullaby', 'Lovesong', 'Fascination Street', 'Pictures of You', 'Never Enough', 'High', 'A Letter to Elise', and 'Friday I'm in Love'. His role was primarily as engineer and mixer, not producer in the traditional sense, but his contributions were essential to the band's sound. After 'Wish', Allen's direct work with The Cure ended, though his influence on their legacy remains significant. He also created Blank Multimedia in 1994, which operated from the home of XFM from 1995 to 1997, and designed websites for Chrysalis and Rough Trade Records.

Did You Know?

• David M. Allen was born on 29 June 1953.
• He created Blank Multimedia in 1994, which operated from the home of XFM from 1995 to 1997.
• In 2022, for Record Store Day UK, he released a vinyl album, 'DNA of DMA', consisting of solo tracks from 1980 that led to his position at Genetic Studios in early 1981.
• He produced Neneh Cherry's hit album 'Man'.
• He designed websites for Chrysalis and Rough Trade Records.