Does anyone know what apart from Morrissey and Johny Marr, what the rest of the smiths did after they finished...Any bands or solo stuff and what are they doing today?
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The Smiths
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Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke spent most of their time in court trying to sue Morrissey because they claimed they didn't get their fair share of royalties. Other than that, I don't think they've done anything.
very intersting interview with mozzer in last weeks observer...he is still spitting venom regarding the court case and royalties....did anyone go to his shows at the rha last week???
They took a lot of drugs and drink trying to forget the sight of Mozza whipping the mike cord onstage 
In all seriousness, the way the whole thing blew up was just a shame. You don't work with three other mates over the course of nearly 10 years, produce brilliant rock music and end your relationship with them on a sour note. It would probably be extremely hard for any one of them to just say phuggit and let the past be the past, but if they could, and got back together, I bet they'd be able to write and churn out some excellent material. And I bet lots of people would rediscover why The Smiths were so great.
They are my absolute favorite band. And everytime I listen to one of their CDs I can't help but feel down that this incredible band had to split. A tragedy.
Originally posted by Isamu In all seriousness, the way the whole thing blew up was just a shame. You don't work with three other mates over the course of nearly 10 years, produce brilliant rock music and end your relationship with them on a sour note. It would probably be extremely hard for any one of them to just say phuggit and let the past be the past, but if they could, and got back together, I bet they'd be able to write and churn out some excellent material. And I bet lots of people would rediscover why The Smiths were so great.
They are my absolute favorite band. And everytime I listen to one of their CDs I can't help but feel down that this incredible band had to split. A tragedy.
Nowhere near 10 years surely? 5 at a max? And I think you've maybe missed the point entirely - they weren't mates, were they? Little more just work colleagues. It's probably not really a case of 'forgetting rhe past', more just a case of 'who cares about the past'? Not convinced they'd produce anything worthwhile in today's environment anyways. The Smiths were then, this is now.
In fact, they were already losing it by Strangeways time, a fact alluded to by Mozzer in the title track, where he admits that what they were producing was criminal compared to former glories.
Let's face it, the format got pretty tired pretty soon. Jangly guitar with Capo 4th fret picks out minor chords, random bumptious twit spouts bullshit sixth-form poetry over it. They were a spent force by The Queen Is Dead.
Originally posted by DAVID STEARSMAN Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke spent most of their time in court trying to sue Morrissey because they claimed they didn't get their fair share of royalties. Other than that, I don't think they've done anything.
They didn't just sued Morrissey, Marr was sued too, you know?
The Smiths split when the time was right. Arguably after they had written what they could by maximising their talents. To say they were 'spent' by The Queen is Dead or that Marr's guitars were technically inferior or boring is pretty ridiculous.
It would be naive to ignore their importance.
Originally posted by Huntsman The Smiths split when the time was right. Arguably after they had written what they could by maximising their talents. To say they were 'spent' by The Queen is Dead or that Marr's guitars were technically inferior or boring is pretty ridiculous.It would be naive to ignore their importance.
I'm not an NME journalist, so I don't have to kiss their arses. Nowhere did I say the guitars were technically inferior (that's your interpretation), just that the style was novel but limited - the sound became readily defined after only a few tracks, you knew what to expect. I'm a big fan of Johnny Marr's guitar playing, it's the overall Smiths song format that does my head in now. Strangeways is shocking compared to what had come before, lame poetry over recycled tracks.
Rourke joined KILLING JOKE very briefly before being sacked for being too boring(!) - Joyce played with the reformed BUZZCOCKS then went onto play with his SMITHS partner again in shit rock combo AZIZ...all rather lame in comparison to their respective past glories.
They also played with New York Smiths tribute boys THE SALFORD LADS under the name SADIE last year during a short tour of the States. Their guitarist Ezra Martin told me that it was quite a surreal experience rehearsing Smiths songs with The Smiths rhythm section - I suppose it would be wouldn't it?
K - I appreciate your comments on The Smiths, they aren't everyone's cup of tea. Despite the fact I'm not a journalist I'm of the opinion that they remained great even at their final moments. Sheila Take a Bath was a late release and one of their best, and several from Strangeways also classics ... Last Night I dreamt, Girlfriend in a Dogfight etc.
Had they gone on, and not diversed, they may have become a bit stayed. But they never - which again shows great maturity. The daft courtroom fiasco that followed was on the other hand seemingly quite barmy but this is probably down to Mozzer being a fruitcake. And wanting too much of his own cake. If he was cheesed off that the Andy Rourke and Keith Choice (Marr even) were receiving royalties for 'his' songs then he should have done something about it earlier.
NME photographer Kevin Cummins release a photo album, 'The Smiths and Beyond' earlier this year. As part of it's promotion he set up a Q&A with himself, Joyce & Rourke at the Garage, Highbury which I went to. About 150 Smiths fans attended & virtually all Qs were aimed at Joyce/Rourke about their time with Marr & Mozzer.
Any questions about what they are doing now were unsatisfactorily answered, Joyce..'I'm setting up a website'. Well fcuk my old boots, how did you find the time to turn up to this. Got the impression they are kicking their heels & living off former glorys when ever the opportunity presents.
Paul, read that Observer article,......Inteviewer - so you live next door to Johnny Depp?...Morrissey - No. He lives next door to me. Classic. He is well chewed up over that court case as you say, 'I'll fight this as long as thre's breath in my body/even if I go bankrupt etc'. Must still have a few bob mind, bemoaning the fact everytime he appoints a new lawyer they want $100k up front. Every time?? do that alot then?. Get in there Seb ;)
Originally posted by JORGE TEIXEIRA > Originally posted by DAVID STEARSMAN> Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke spent most of their time in court trying to sue Morrissey because they claimed they didn't get their fair share of royalties. Other than that, I don't think they've done anything.
They didn't just sued Morrissey, Marr was sued too, you know?
marr settled though, now its just morrisey refusing to pay up & taking it further. in the observor interview he said that hed never pay them even though there is an order on his mums house stopping her fom selling it!
HeadHunter has a point there I believe - apparently the way Morrissey acted in court and indeed during the legal preamble was nothing short of pathetic.
I actually liked the Smiths for a small period during my student existence.
I dont listen to them anymore, does that mean i no longer like them.................?
So Mozzer does in fact live in Hollywood?
... a far cry from his house in Manc.-land near the Cemetery Gates ... a humble abode with 'one light bulb' shone to illuminate the rooms.
True story...
he was chatting to a record agent guy in a new york bar trying to get a record deal, the guy asked him to send him some demos, Mozza replied, just walk into tower records you'll find about 12 of my albums on the shelf
That was in the Evening Standard last week!
Are you saying that whilst Liberty X are riding high with their faithful 'cover' song big Moz is searching for a recording deal?
It's a disgrace.
So Moz acted like a Pissy Mare in court???? I would be selling my Smiths LPs down Record & Tape Exchange (or Burslem Market) if he did anything else.
The man is a national treasure. Even if he is a sell-out dame living ooop in the Hollywood Hills these days. Not quite a rented room in Whalley Range, eh Steven????
Andy Rourke's done some work with Badly Drawn Boy, dunno about Joyce. Mozzer is a bit of a gimp. Marr and Rourke had been mates since school, but only recruited Mozzer and Joyce once the band had been formed.
Always thought of the Smiths as a singles band, despite the fact their singles always did shite, and their albums well. I can only listen to about 3-4 smiths songs in any one sitting.
Originally posted by Huntsman Are you saying that whilst Liberty X are riding high with their faithful 'cover' song big Moz is searching for a recording deal?It's a disgrace.
He's been sans record deal for a fair few years now. Apparently the Record Companies want him to make his sound more commercial. Needless to say, our Stephen is having noone compromise his artistic freedom so any discussions tend to stall there & then.
One company asked him to record with Radiohead. Think he spat out his nut roast at that one.
Joyce was on Rock Family Tree's, did he not mention he was still touring at the time it came out? Or am I getting confused again?
I have all of The Smith albums, but like Mr Brasco, I hardly listen to em these days, picked up Loud As Bombs on CD fer 6 quid a couple of weeks ago......nice;)
Originally posted by Johnny Giles He's been sans record deal for a fair few years now. Apparently the Record Companies want him to make his sound more commercial. Needless to say, our Stephen is having noone compromise his artistic freedom so any discussions tend to stall there & then.
Now that's fucked up! More commercial? LOLOLOLO! I guess that explains all the shite we're getting on the radio these days 'eh?
Hard to believe that conversation with the guy asking Moz to send some demos...what a prick. But then again, so is Moz:D
Anyway, they were hardly spent by TQiD. I do agree however, that their very first two records (The Smiths and Meat is Murder) outshine the rest of their material, but SHWC is hardly a bad album. In fact, Loader Than Bombs contains their very latest work and some of my favorite tracks are on that CD(Stretch Out & Wait, Please, please, please..., Back to the Old House, Ask, Panic, Shoplifters of the World and so forth).
I disagree about them braking up at the right time...it's probably because you think had they'd continued they'd of kept writing the same sounding material. But I think they'd of found ways to reinvent their sound and churn out tunes that would of kept them in the limelight. Lots of people thought U2 were spent after Rattle and Hum for example. Then all of a sudden boom! Here's comes a totally new sound in the form of Achtung Baby, and arguably their best work in the history of their career. And what about Aerosmith? They were seriously spent until that one song "Cryin" or whatever rejuvinated their career and put them back on the map.
The Smiths could've done the same thing...break up for a while, think things over, mend their wounds, then slowly start rebuilding their chemistry discussions of newer, fresher material. I'm sure NO went through some shit where they didn't want to see each other's faces too, yet they managed to keep themselves afloat. Bands do this all the time.
Finally, I want to get into Moz's solo stuff and already own Bona Drag and that "In the KROQ Studio" CD with Sing Your Life on it. What other albums would you recommend?
For more info on Andy Rourke's current music projects, check out http://www.andyrourke.info/ and for some other piccies check out http://www.rowetta.com/ (and 'Nights Out' link!).
Oh, and Mike Joyce's website is http://www.mikejoyce.com/
They both appeared on Aziz's album (plays guitar with Ian Brown) - check out http://www.aziz.co.uk/ and Bonehead's (former Oasis) new band Moondogone - check out http://www.moondogone.com/
Both Mike & Andy DJ and play session music regularly in the Manchester area.
l8rs,
Nick ;)
Originally posted by Isamu > In fact, Loader Than Bombs contains their very latest work and some of my favorite tracks are on that CD(Stretch Out & Wait, Please, please, please..., Back to the Old House, Ask, Panic, Shoplifters of the World and so forth).
Stretch Out And Wait had been around since late 84, and Back To The Old House was one of the first songs they wrote ! Not that much "very latest work" on there at all.
Ishtar ... after The Smiths expired I was reluctant to pursue any members going solo. After such a unique sounding band I doubted an individual could match the previous quality (reminds anyone of any other bands?) - however, after about 5 years of resistance my pal urged me to listen to solo Morrissey gear and I yielded, and I'm glad I did. Unlike the Electricians or Revenge or them Other Two Mozz has captured 'almost' the quality of The Smiths (I'm sure he would declare he has bettered some songs).
Before you even contemplate any other Mozzer specials buy Viva Hate, jam packed with quality tunes and heavy influence from the legend Vinni Reilly. Once you've saved a few more coppers head here for much joy. I can heartily recommend all albums (not all compilations) but these are worthy of note:
Vauxhall and I: 'Lazy sunbathers, Why don't you find out for yourself, Now my heart is full' stand-out classics with the final track 'Speedway' my all time Mozzer fave. An outstanding song and what's more, I've seen the king of vegetarians perform it live ... before my very eyes! (and nose) - in fact, as he sang it the locals were diving off the speaker cabs. onto his head! (I wasn't one of them).
Maladjusted: 'Alma Matters' and 'Roy's Keen' the highlight of this album. Worth the coin for both of these outstanding Mezzanine attempts but the consistency of the package is a little pedestrian.
Bona Drag is a compilation, if you seek out the original albums (which can be found quite cheap these days) you will dig out more listening originality. And remember, a penny towards the Mozz equals better living standards for some of the best faymyard animals.
hand in glove the sun shines out of our behinds n o its not like any other love this one is different because its us
Originally posted by snucker or try to erase the memory of morrissey...and the sound of his voice.:dead:
I tried smashing my head into a concrete block... and I think it did it... oh wait... it's coming back - gotta go smash my head again before I can make out the words.
j00 guys are hilarious!
Originally posted by Huntsman Ishtar ...>snip<
Ishtar?? Haha, I'll give you a dollar if you can find the connection between your typo and my correct username...yes, ONE DOLLAR!!:)
Anyway, thanks for the recommendations, I'll pick up those when I get a chance:)
I have to say that New Order are soon catching up with the Smiths with respect to all these cash-in compilation / best ofs that are being released by their respective record companies. Soon there'll be more of them than there are of both bands' original studio output, if not already.
Originally posted by Dave_Barrie I have to say that New Order are soon catching up with the Smiths with respect to all these cash-in compilation / best ofs that are being released by their respective record companies. Soon there'll be more of them than there are of both bands' original studio output, if not already.
Yeah, this is a bad trend. They should at least have the album titles progress... the first one is called "Best Of". The second one should be called "No, this one is the Best Of"... The third one could be called "Oops we forgot one" and so on
how about calling it 'REDUNDANCY'. that sounds quite new ordery, actually! frankly, i'll be glad to have it so i can have a newer compilation i can listen to in the car. :D
