The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Consisting of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce, critics consider the band one of the most important to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s. Internal tensions led to their break up in 1987 and subsequent offers to reunite have been refused. In 2012, all four Smiths' studio albums appeared on Rolling Stone's list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time", while "William, It Was Really Nothing" and "How Soon Is Now?" were included in the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list.
Johnny Marr is an English musician, songwriter, and singer. He first achieved fame as the guitarist and co-songwriter of the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. He has since performed with numerous other bands and embarked on a solo career.
The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by English rock band the Smiths. Released on 16 June 1986 in the United Kingdom by Rough Trade Records, and on 23 June 1986 in the US by Sire Records, it spent 22 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at number two. It also reached No. 70 on the US Billboard 200, and was certified Gold by the RIAA in late 1990. In 2009, Rolling Stone ranked The Queen Is Dead 218th on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. In 2013, British Magazine NME labeled The Queen Is Dead the greatest album of all time.
Bernard Sumner is an English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. He is a founding member of both Joy Division and New Order.
Strangeways, Here We Come is the fourth and final studio album by English rock band the Smiths. Released on 28 September 1987 by Rough Trade Records, it reached number two on the UK Albums Chart, staying in the chart for 17 weeks. The album also became an international success, peaking at number 16 in the European Albums Chart; from sales covering the 18 major European countries, staying in that chart for nine weeks. The album was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry on 1 October 1987 and also by the Recording Industry Association of America on 19 September 1990.
Meat Is Murder is the second studio album by English rock band the Smiths, released on 11 February 1985 by Rough Trade Records. The album became the band's only number one on the UK Albums Chart, and stayed on the chart for thirteen weeks. The album was an international success: it spent 11 weeks in the European Top 100 Albums chart, peaking at number 29. It also reached number 110 on the US Billboard 200, in the United States.
The Smiths is the self titled debut studio album by English rock band the Smiths, released on 20 February 1984 by Rough Trade Records. After the original production by Troy Tate was felt to be inadequate, John Porter re-recorded the album in London, Manchester and Stockport during breaks in the band's UK tour during September 1983.
The Pop Group are an English band formed in Bristol in 1977 by vocalist Mark Stewart, guitarist John Waddington, bassist Simon Underwood, guitarist/saxophonist Gareth Sager, and drummer Bruce Smith. Their work in the late 1970s crossed diverse musical influences including dub, funk, and free jazz with radical politics, helping to pioneer post-punk music.
Andrew Michael Rourke is an English musician, best known as the bassist of the Smiths. He is known for his melodic approach to bass playing.
Michael Adrian Paul Joyce is an English drummer. He is best known as the drummer for The Smiths, an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and Joyce.
Philip Cunningham is an English guitarist who is a member of the bands Marion, New Order, Bad Lieutenant and ShadowParty.
"Panic" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, released in 1986 and written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. The first recording to feature new member Craig Gannon, "Panic" bemoans the state of contemporary pop music, which "says nothing to me about my life", and exhorts listeners to "burn down the disco" and "hang the DJ" in retaliation. The song was released by Rough Trade as a single and reached No. 7 on the Irish Singles Chart and No. 11 in the UK Chart. Morrissey considered the song's appearance on daytime British radio a "tiny revolution" in its own way, as it aired amongst the very music it criticised.
"There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by guitarist Johnny Marr and singer Morrissey. Featured on the band's third studio album The Queen Is Dead, it was not released as a single in the United Kingdom until 1992, five years after their split. It peaked at No. 25 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 22 on the Irish Singles Chart. The song has received considerable critical acclaim: in 2014, NME listed it as the 12th greatest song of all time.
Easterhouse was a British indie rock group from the mid to late 1980s, known for jangly guitars and leftist political leaning.
"Ask" is a song recorded by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released as a single on 20 October 1986 through Rough Trade Records. Credited to vocalist Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, "Ask" is an upbeat, positive pop song built around major chords. Its lyrics discuss shyness and encourage the listeners to overcome their inhibitions. Its multiple guitar parts and complex production led to disagreements regarding its final mix. In addition, Craig Gannon, one-time rhythm guitarist for the group, has claimed he wrote – and was denied credit for – the song's chord structure.
"Hand in Glove" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was released as the band's first single in May 1983 on independent record label Rough Trade. It peaked at No. 3 on the UK Indie Chart but did not make the top 75 of the UK Singles Chart, settling outside at No. 124. A remixed version of the song was featured on the band's debut album, The Smiths, in 1984. That same year, a cover version recorded by singer Sandie Shaw featuring Smiths members Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce as backing musicians reached No. 27 on the UK Singles Chart.
"Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. Recorded in Autumn 1985, it was first released on their third studio album The Queen Is Dead in June 1986. It was also released as a single in Germany.
Simon John Wolstencroft is an English rock drummer, best known for playing with the Fall from 1986 to 1997. He also played with early incarnations of The Smiths and The Stone Roses.
"Barbarism Begins at Home" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. Featured on their second studio album, Meat Is Murder (1985), it was given an initial limited release in Germany and Italy in April 1985 but was not released as a single in the UK until 1988. It is known for Andy Rourke's funk-inspired repetitive bassline synced with Johnny Marr's funk riff, with few alterations during the track.
