The Smiths

The Smiths
Paul Cox; Distributed by Sire Records · Public domain · source
Name	The Smiths
Origin	Manchester, England
Genre	Indie rock, jangle pop, post-punk
Years active	1982–1987
Label	Rough Trade Records, Sire Records
Associated acts	Morrissey, Johnny Marr

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Comprising singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce, the group is considered one of the most important acts to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. Their songs, characterized by Marr's jangly Rickenbacker guitar work and Morrissey's literate, melancholic lyrics, offered a stark contrast to the dominant synth-pop and new romantic movements. Despite a brief career, their work has exerted a profound and lasting influence on alternative rock.

History

The band was formed when guitarist Johnny Marr sought out singer Morrissey after hearing of his lyrical talents. They quickly recruited bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce, solidifying the classic lineup. After a well-received performance at The Ritz in Manchester, they signed with the independent label Rough Trade Records in 1983. Their self-titled debut album, The Smiths, was released in 1984 to critical acclaim, followed by a string of successful singles like "This Charming Man" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now". Internal tensions, particularly between Morrissey and Marr over musical direction and workload, grew during the recording of their fourth studio album, Strangeways, Here We Come. Marr departed in 1987, citing exhaustion and creative differences, leading to the band's abrupt dissolution that same year, just as they were achieving significant commercial success in the United States with The Queen Is Dead.

Musical style and influences

The band's sound was a distinctive fusion of Johnny Marr's complex, melodic guitar playing, which drew from sources like The Byrds, Patti Smith, and R&B pioneers such as Slim Harpo, and Morrissey's baritone vocal delivery and highly poetic lyrics. Their music often incorporated elements of 1960s pop, rockabilly, and post-punk while avoiding the contemporary reliance on synthesizers and drum machines. Lyrically, Morrissey explored themes of loneliness, sexual ambiguity, political discontent, and a nostalgic, often ironic, Englishness, referencing figures like Oscar Wilde and Sheila from the film A Taste of Honey. The rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce provided a versatile and propulsive foundation, with Rourke's melodic bass lines being particularly influential.

Discography

The band released four studio albums on Rough Trade Records: The Smiths (1984), Meat Is Murder (1985), The Queen Is Dead (1986), and Strangeways, Here We Come (1987). Each was accompanied by a series of non-album singles and EPs, many of which charted highly on the UK Singles Chart, including "How Soon Is Now?" and "Panic". Several compilation albums, such as Hatful of Hollow (1984) and The World Won't Listen (1987), collected these singles, B-sides, and radio sessions. After their breakup, numerous retrospectives like Best... I and the box set Complete have been issued, with their catalog later being re-released by major labels like Warner Bros. Records.

Legacy and influence

Widely regarded as one of the most seminal bands in alternative rock, their influence is vast, shaping the sound and aesthetic of the Britpop movement of the 1990s, with acts like The Stone Roses, Oasis, and Radiohead citing them as a key inspiration. Their emphasis on guitar-based songwriting and introspective lyrics provided a blueprint for countless indie rock and emo bands in the United States and the United Kingdom, including The Cure, Belle and Sebastian, and The Libertines. Despite their short career, they have maintained a cult-like following, and albums like The Queen Is Dead frequently appear at the top of critics' lists of the greatest albums of all time in publications like NME and Rolling Stone. The enduring cultural fascination with the band is also fueled by the successful solo careers of Morrissey and Johnny Marr and the persistent public interest in a potential reunion.

Band members

* Morrissey – lead vocals, occasional lyrics on sleeve notes (1982–1987) * Johnny Marr – guitars, harmonica, keyboards, backing vocals (1982–1987) * Andy Rourke – bass guitar (1982–1986, 1986–1987; died 2023) * Mike Joyce – drums, percussion (1982–1987) Other touring and session musicians included guitarist Craig Gannon and keyboardist Ivor Perry during the final year of the band's activity. Following the breakup, all members pursued other projects, with Rourke and Joyce performing with acts like Sinéad O'Connor and Aziz Ibrahim.

Category:English rock bands Category:Musical groups from Manchester Category:Indie rock groups