Smiths in general

Speeding down the motorway with a bucket of pig muck in the back of the car probably isn’t the way an artist envisages their audience listening to their masterpiece; still, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I bawled myself horse to the smiths as I careened down the A30 going way too fast, but it was a hire car so what the hell. “And if a double-decker bus Crashes into us To die by your side Is such a heavenly way to die And if a ten-ton truck Kills the both of us To die by your side Well, the pleasure - the privilege is mine.“ --There Is A Light And It Never Goes Out I’m sure he ...  Read the complete review

I have just read some of the excellent reviews done on the Smiths in Doohoo. Although they are good I don't think any of them have given a comprehensive account of my favourite band ever. I have no qualms about saying they are my favourite band ever, I don?t necessarily think they are the best or most talented musicians but they make music the way it should be made and I will tell you why, as a consumer you need to own at least one album by the Smiths. As far as I am concerned music is meant to enhance feelings and emotions inside you which may make you happy or sad, reflective or excited etc.... Both Morriseys lyrics and Johnny Marrs guitar work produce strong ...  Read the complete review

Bands come and go, but some things last forever. A sentiment expressed a hundred years ago can mean as much today as it did then. Likewise, lyrics linger in the memory, creating a whole world for themselves which centre around the effect they have on people. For me, The Smiths have more of an effect than any other band I know, living or dead. It is very hard to express exactly why you feel attached to something, isn't it? Invariably I will sound at least a little pretentious at some point, perhaps even arrogant and flippant. But if that is the price to pay for expressing myself, then I can live with it. Music means so much to so many people, but wanting to ...  Read the complete review

In December 1999 I interviewed Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke at the Adelphi pub in Preston. Among other things (working with Aziz, what they'd done since the Smiths etc) for the first time they had the chance to the tell the truth behind the court case. Here's an excerpt from that interview highlighting the court case in particular. Q = Myself M = Mike Joyce A = Andy Rourke The full interview may run as an archive feature in the near future. Please check the following website from time to time for more details http://designermagazine.tripod.com Hope you enjoy Alex ************** Interview ...  Read the complete review

With these words, Andy Kershaw introduced the Smiths on Whistle Test at the release of the Meat is Murder album, performing the title track and Vicar in a Tutu, if I recall... Historic? Yes, because not only do they stand the test of time but stand out uniquely amongst other groups of their day to represent so much to so many teenage youths,they shaped a whole way of thinking for vast swathes of us. Suddenly, it was okay not to be a rubgy or football bore, to be literate and articulate without being labelled queer or a puff. They fostered also in their legions of admirers interest in poetry and the arts, whole legions of us flocked to Pere Lachaise ...  Read the complete review