Mike Joyce (musician)

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Mike Joyce
Mike Joyce (cropped).jpg
Joyce in 2018
Background information
Birth nameMichael Adrian Paul Joyce
Born (1963-06-01) 1 June 1963 (age 61)
Manchester, England
Origin Fallowfield, Manchester, England
Genres Alternative rock, indie pop, post-punk, punk rock
OccupationDrummer
Years active1982–present
Formerly of
Website mikejoyce.com

Michael Adrian Paul Joyce (born 1 June 1963) is an English drummer. He is best known for being the drummer for the Smiths [1] from October 1982 to 1987.

Contents

Career

While the Smiths provided Joyce with his first taste of success, he had previously drummed for Manchester band The Hoax and Northern Irish punk rock group Victim. Immediately after the break-up of the band in 1987, Joyce and Smiths bassist Andy Rourke played with Sinéad O'Connor. [2] They, along with Craig Gannon, also provided the rhythm section for two singles by Smiths' singer Morrissey – "Interesting Drug" and "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" and their B-sides. Work with Suede, [3] Buzzcocks, [4] Public Image Limited, [5] Julian Cope, [6] P. P. Arnold [5] and Pete Wylie followed throughout the 1990s. Joyce, Rourke, and Gannon reunited to work on a project with fellow Manchester musician Aziz Ibrahim (formerly of the Stone Roses and Simply Red), ex-Oasis guitarist Bonehead (as Moondog One), and Vinny Peculiar. [7]

In July 2007, Joyce, along with Rourke released Inside The Smiths, a DVD which chronicled their experiences of being in the band. [8] In October 2007, Joyce toured the UK playing drums for Vinny Peculiar with Bonehead (Oasis) on bass guitar, and in 2008 he presented the Alternative Therapy radio show on Revolution 96.2 FM at The Brickhouse until the station changed format, later reviving it on Manchester Radio Online and Tin Can Media. [9] [10] He hosts The Coalition Chart Show on East Village Radio, which streams from New York. [11] In parallel to his music career, Joyce works as a DJ and broadcaster, including occasional appearances on BBC 6 Music. [12] Joyce has hosted shows on East Village Radio, an internet station.

Since October 2017, Joyce has hosted a weekly radio show on Manchester radio station XS Manchester. [13] In October 2018, the show was nominated in the 'Best Specialist Music Show' category at the ARIAS 2018 radio awards. [14] Joyce is a patron of the Manchester-based charity Back on Track; [15] [16] as part of this role, Joyce ran a special cooking session with some of the charity's clients, during which they cooked vegetables from his allotment, and featured as a story on ITV Granada. [17]

Personal life

Joyce was born in Manchester to Irish Catholic parents, and attended St Gregory's Grammar School in the city. Joyce married Christina Riley in 1994. [18] He is a vegetarian. [19] Joyce is a Manchester City fan, [20] and is sometimes interviewed at City Square before important home matches. [21] [22]

In 1996, Joyce sued former Smiths' colleagues Johnny Marr and Morrissey for an equal share of performance and recording royalties. Joyce won the case and was awarded damages of around £1 million from Morrissey and Marr. [23] [24] According to Morrissey, who unsuccessfully appealed Joyce's claims, Joyce first sued Morrissey and Marr in 1989 for 25% of the Smiths' recording royalties. [25] In 1996, Joyce won the case "on the basis of the 1890 Partnership Act". [26]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Smiths</span> English rock band (1982–1987)

The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar), Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Morrissey and Marr formed the band’s songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerge from 1980s British independent music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Marr</span> English musician (born 1963)

John Martin 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.

<i>Strangeways, Here We Come</i> 1987 studio album by the Smiths

Strangeways, Here We Come is the fourth and final studio album by the English rock band the Smiths. It was released on 28 September 1987 by Rough Trade Records, several months after the group disbanded. All of the songs were composed by Johnny Marr, with lyrics written and sung by Morrissey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Arthurs</span> English musician

Paul Benjamin Arthurs, known professionally as Bonehead, is an English musician. He is best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist, and occasional keyboardist and bassist of the rock band Oasis.

<i>Rank</i> (album) 1988 live album by the Smiths

Rank is the only official live album by English band The Smiths. It was released a year after the band’s breakup, in September 1988, through Rough Trade Records, and reached No. 2 in the British charts. In the United States, the album was released on Sire Records and made No. 77.

<i>Singles</i> (The Smiths album) 1995 greatest hits album by the Smiths

Singles is the seventh compilation album by the English rock band the Smiths, pitched as a compilation of previously issued singles. It was released in February 1995 by the new owner of their back catalogue, WEA. Its highest British chart position was #5; it did not chart in the United States. Blender magazine listed the album among the "500 CDs You Must Own" on their website.

<i>The Very Best of The Smiths</i> 2001 greatest hits album by The Smiths

The Very Best of The Smiths is a compilation album by English rock band The Smiths. It was released in June 2001 by WEA in Europe, without consent or input from the band. It reached number 30 on the UK Albums Chart. The album was not released in the United States.

Craig Gannon is an English guitarist, best known as the second guitarist in the Smiths (1986). He is now a composer for film and television.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Rourke</span> English musician (1964–2023)

Andrew Michael Rourke was an English musician best known as the bassist of the 1980s indie rock band the Smiths. Regarded as one of the greatest bassists of his generation, he was known for his melodic and funk-inspired approach to bass playing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panic (The Smiths song)</span> 1986 single by the Smiths

"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, exhorting 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Last of the Famous International Playboys</span> 1989 single by Morrissey

"The Last of the Famous International Playboys" is a 1989 song by British vocalist Morrissey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interesting Drug</span> 1989 single by Morrissey

"Interesting Drug" is a song by English singer-songwriter Morrissey, released as a non-album single on 17 April 1989. Co-written by Morrissey and former Smiths producer Stephen Street, the song was Morrissey's fourth release after the Smiths break-up. Morrissey was inspired lyrically by the drug culture in the English lower class, which he felt was being clamped down on by the power-hungry Thatcher government. These political themes were further explored in its music video. The single was the second and final Morrissey solo single to feature his former Smiths bandmates Andy Rourke, Mike Joyce, and Craig Gannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ask (song)</span> 1986 single by The Smiths

"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 ostensibly upbeat, positive pop song built around major chords. Its lyrics discuss shyness and encourage listeners to overcome their inhibitions. Its multiple guitar parts and complex production led to disagreements regarding its final mix. Craig Gannon, who at the time was rhythm guitarist for the group, has claimed he wrote – and was denied credit for – the song's chord structure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Difference Does It Make?</span> 1984 single by the Smiths

"What Difference Does It Make?" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was the band's third single and is featured on their debut album, The Smiths. A different version, recorded for the John Peel Show on BBC Radio 1, is included in the compilation album Hatful of Hollow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hand in Glove</span> 1983 single by The Smiths

"Hand in Glove" is the debut single by English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. It was released 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Wolstencroft</span> English drummer

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. His highly praised autobiography You Can Drum But You Can't Hide was published in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Started Something I Couldn't Finish</span> 1987 single by The Smiths

"I Started Something I Couldn't Finish" is a song by the English rock band The Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr and released on the group's 1987 album Strangeways, Here We Come. Featuring a glam rock-inspired guitar riff, the song emerged from a jam during the "Sheila Take a Bow" sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before</span> 1987 single by the Smiths

"Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths, written by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. The song was first released on the group's 1987 album Strangeways, Here We Come. Marr's music features a larger sound, courtesy of a 12-string Gibson ES-335, and one of his few guitar solos with the Smiths. Morrissey's lyrics allude to alcohol and deception.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbarism Begins at Home</span> 1985 single by The Smiths

"Barbarism Begins at Home" is a song by the English rock band the Smiths. Featured on their second studio album, Meat Is Murder (1985), the song has a lyric condemning child abuse and a funk-inspired track based around Andy Rourke's bass line.

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Biography: The Smiths". AllMusic . Retrieved 2 June 2010.
  2. "Mike Joyce | Biography & History". AllMusic. 1 June 1963. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  3. "Suede Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic .
  4. "My Manchester - with The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce". Manchester Evening News. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce talks to Scene South". Daily Echo . Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  6. "Mike Joyce: "When I started I had three styles of playing: Fast and loud, faster and louder and fastest and loudest. The Smiths was a shock"". March 2018.
  7. "Mike Joyce: A Vinny Peculiar Practice". Manchester Evening News . 29 August 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  8. "The Playlist: Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce from the Smiths" Archived 5 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine , 23 July 2007, The Guardian Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  9. "The Revolution: how not to relaunch a radio station?" Archived 18 April 2016 at the Wayback Machine , The Guardian , Organgrinder Blog, 3 September 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  10. "Smiths man returns to indie charts with Coalition airing", Music Week, 22 August 2009. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  11. Mike Joyce's Coalition Chart Show. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  12. Mike Joyce details, Bbc.co.uk; accessed 11 January 2016.
  13. "Mike Joyce Joins XS Manchester From October". XS Manchester. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  14. "BBC dominates shortlist for ARIAS 2018 radio awards". RadioToday. 17 September 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
  15. "Patrons". Back on Track. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  16. Pettigrew, Jason (11 September 2020). "You can own a piece of Smiths drummer Mike Joyce's history". Alternative Press Magazine . Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  17. "How a rock star is helping people with addictions". ITV News . Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  18. Binns, Simon (11 October 2016). "Is Mike Joyce Manchester's most romantic man?". Manchester Evening News . Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  19. "Mike Joyce | Viva! – The Vegan Charity". Viva.org.uk. Archived from the original on 31 August 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
  20. "He Bangs The Drums: Mike Joyce On Manchester City And Pellegrini – The Daisy Cutter". Thedaisycutter.co.uk. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  21. "City Square Live on Twitter". Twitter . Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  22. "Manchester City on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 4 August 2018.
  23. Blatt, Ruth (11 February 2014). "Breaking Up A Team Is Hard To Do: The Case Of Morrissey, Johnny Marr And The Smiths". Forbes . Retrieved 21 July 2024.
  24. "Morrissey's final appeal to overturn 1996 Mike Joyce verdict dismissed". Morrissey-solo.com. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  25. Joyce vs. Morrissey and Others Archived 23 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine , England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions, 6 November 1998. Retrieved 8 January 2012. See also Brian Southall, Pop Goes to Court: Rock 'n' Pop's Greatest Court Battles (London: Omnibus, 2008; rev. edn. 2009), ch. 16, "The Smiths: Seeking Satisfaction Over a Fair Share of the Profits".
  26. Michaels, Sean (3 January 2014). "Smiths drummer Mike Joyce shuns Morrissey's memoir". The Guardian . Retrieved 21 July 2024.