CURES FROM THE CRYPT

Vampire-like pallors, heavy velvet dresses and long monastic robes aren’t exactly the kind of looks one is likely to choose for a typical Southern California afternoon.

But die-hard fans of the Cure, a brooding, romantic English pop band, braved the sun and heat at the Rose Bowl Saturday to show they were willing to suffer for fashion and for their idols. One could almost hear the untanned skin scorching in the sun.

The Cure’s archetypal male fans emulate their high priest, lead singer Robert Smith, by blow-torching their hair into an approximation of his exploding haystack hairdo and wearing red or black lipstick and elaborate eye makeup.

And while the Cure’s true dread-head followers were outnumbered in the let’s-go-surfing Southern California crowd, they weren’t out-dressed.

Young women went romantic with feather boa-trimmed hats, floral dresses with army boots, nose rings and lace. Male and female fans alike wore crosses, capes, velvet vests and plenty of black--proof that they share the high Angst level of the music.

Essential accessories included first aid boxes for handbags, finger-less fishnet gloves, religious jewelry and the ubiquitous, larger-than-life Doc Martens.

Meanwhile, the non-Gothics in the crowd--wearing T-shirts and shorts--turned the massive concert into a sporting occasion with beach balls and a “wave.” Many also donned Melrose Avenue uniforms of short shorts, leotards, little lacy crocheted cardigans and the kind of Wicked Witch striped tights that curled under Dorothy’s house when she fell into Oz.

Plaid is still the most popular exception to the all-black rule and it turned up here in homemade kilts, tights and shirts tied Axl Rose-style around the waist.