Every loves to criticize The Smiths by taking sides, but it’s time to stop. I grew up listening to The Smiths and Morrissey inspired me to write lyrics and sing, but I was more of a Smiths fan than Morrissey solo. It was the combination of Morrissey, Marr, Rourke, and Joyce that I loved. Everyone contributes to a band. That’s what makes up a band. That’s how it works. I was the singer in most of my bands. Wrote the lyrics and came up with some of the music, but everyone contributed. The Smiths had the perfect group of guys, but singer’s ego and the music industry got in the way. Happens quite often. We must stop this and enjoy the music that 4, and sometimes 5, guys put together. And out of respect for the late Andy: Stop!
it’s so hard to find smiths interviews with mike and andy in them!! it’s almost 99% percent of the time morrissey, and sometimes (but rarely) johnny. love this!!!
Pop music is deader than i ever thought possible nowadays. Stone dead with nothing new to say in any new ways. Luckily the kids HAVE the music of the 50s to about 2010s to listen to... And appreciate. (which they do in far greater numbers than the contemporary stale crap... That the kids KNOW is stale. So its Nirvana, Smiths, Bowie. These are the people that 18 to 25 year olds listen to. (The ones that wont work minimum wage forever anyway.... U know... The cool kids who never even realised they were cool until they got past 35 or 40!)
Andy Rourke pumped out killer bassline after killer bassline and they were so good that everyone was convinced Marr wrote them until he himself said it was all Andy. The real chemistry in the band was between bass and guitar not bass and vocals.
It was a great rhythm section. One of the best. But I’m over taking sides. The four of them made up The Smiths, the likes of which we’ll never see again.
4:18 "What right does the fact that you are a popular and successful pop star give you to comment on political and local matters?" The same right everyone else has to free expression. You're the one who brought a video camera.
Tony trying to incite issues within the band. And then trying to make Morrissey feel guilty for writing meaningful lyrics. True jealousy and the mark of incompetence.
I had huge affection for Tony Wilson - but his signing instincts weren't great. Another example: He was interested in signing "The Stone Roses" but passed because their name and the production of their first LP (Misery Dictionary) had him figuring they were a goth band.
Great interview, Tony Wilson asking fair questions to the band members of The Smiths. A group very relevant that changed music 1983 to 87, a one off. Morrissey comes across eloquently. He seem much more bitter today. Johnny Marr driving force behind unique guitar sound. I like the way Tony Wilson was inclusive and got the thoughts of drummer Mike Joyce & Bassist Andy Rourke and their important input into The Smiths work. Nice work here.
