Prototype British Goth-rockers The Cure [ tickets ], who plan to embark on a world tour of large venues later this year, have scheduled six U.S. performances at more intimate venues for February. Ticket on-sale dates haven't been announced, but an itinerary has been posted on the band's official website. Prior to the U.S. mini-tour, the band will perform at four small European venues.

The world tour, dubbed ''The Cure Dream Tour 2000,'' opens in late March in Spain, and will remain in Europe through early May. Though a U.S. leg of the world tour is planned for later in 2000, those dates haven't been announced.

A new Cure album titled ''Bloodflowers,'' initially expected in the spring of 1999, is now scheduled for release in the U.S. on Feb. 15. ''Bloodflowers'' is the 17th studio album of the Cure's 23-year run, and the band's first album of new material since 1996.

The band's line-up, which after several years of turmoil has remained stable for more than five years, includes Cure leader Robert Smith on vocals and guitar, Simon Gallup on bass, Perry Bamonte on guitar, Roger O'Donnell on keyboards and Jason Cooper on drums.

Last year in New York, The Cure recorded an episode of VH1's ''Hard Rock Live'' for broadcast on Feb. 19.