The Smiths

Where it's at. Well just think, what music will young people of today be talking about twenty years from now? Oh man, it's going to be Clodplay and Raidanoldhead isn't it? How utterly tragic. Still, at least they're British. My favourite music right now is Linkin Park and 50 Cent. And I also like Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Streets, Roots Manoeuvre and Oasis. And Wu Tang Clan. I'll tell you who nobody cares about any more. Blur, that's who.

The Smiths were great. Morrisey is very funny also like his solo stuff.

The Smithereens, now that's a band! Ralph

Damn it, came in too late, missed all the fun. I do agree that alot of The Smiths stuff appealed (and still does appeal) to a "spot-popping" (nice!) middle-class white man. But, it is only true to say that it appeals to them the most, not that this is The Smiths sole fan base. That group of people will inevitably be The Smiths biggest fans and they will do anything to get a glimpse/touch of Mozza but I know tons of different people, (even girls!!!), who love The Smiths. In fact, I watched a film a while back, 'SLC Punk', where The Smiths were loved by the US punks along side The Ramones and pistols etc. Ultimately, you just can not deny that the song writing is fantastic. Johnny Marr was truly an original and nobody, despite many failed attempts, has jangled in quite the way he jangled. The lyrics are funny, whether you are laughing at or with Morrissey. I don't think it's necessary to think he's the messiah to enjoy his lyrics. And they're miserable, no question, and have doubtless caused many a suicide but that's not a reason to dislike them (aware that i have opened can of angry worms; see eminem, marilyn manson debate...) At the same time I'm sure many a rubbish night out has been saved by a rousing sing song of 'hang the DJ' on the way home. I can't beleive anybody would go so far as to say they are rubbish. Maybe they are not your thing but come on, listen to 'girlfriend in a coma' or 'frankly mr shankly', it's just great pop music. Stuart - Roots Manuva I think is the name you're looking for. Wow, you're hip.

girlfriend in a coma great pop music... goodness me. there is so much wrong with that statement spack...

Roots Manuva are cool!

Quite right. My hipness was overridden by my desire for accurate spelling.

Roots Manuva are cool. I agree. His recent collaboration with nightmares on wax is a treat. '70's, 80's', it's all about being a london scamp growing up under Thatcher.

Nightmares on wax - excellent. Ooh look, Peter Wild is on his dinner break i suspect. What else can we say while he's out?

Liana, 'Girlfriend in a coma' is the perfect two and a half minute pop song. It's up there with Justin Timberlake's 'rock your body'. (Am I undermining myself?)

we say lunch in the civilised world ma'am. You may have dinner in Ipswich but we have lunch in the Capital City.

Spack. Can I take you aside and have a quick word?

No I'm here (you wicked Goth witch!!) - listening to DJ Format and nodding along with everybody who lives Roots Manuva

Douglas Coupland wrote a great book called 'Girlfriend in a Coma' He performs at the UCL Bloomsbury in October. Sorry. Ralphie

Yes well peter is in machester, which is very uncivilised, and im willing to bet he says dinner.

Man I hated that Coupland book (think Coupland writes one great book for every terrible one and man o man - was Girlfriend in a Coma his terrible one!!)

Yeah I say dinner I go out of my way to be as vulgar and uncouth as I can I even hold my little finger out when I drink tea

That'll be like the song then.

Hurray Peter, DJ Format! Top new album. Me likes. Saw him at Glasto, a highlight for sure. Liana, I don't understand??

I think my views on the smiths are known well enough for me not to have to repeat them here. But just to add credence to titzy's theory, I am older than all the people here who like them.

just a quick note to correct myself, Neil Hannon (and Jarvis Cocker) have been influenced by Scott Walker and not Jeff Buckley. Smiths, Cure, Pulp, Depeche Mode, James and the Divine Comedy are great bands appreciated only by great listeners that are not affected by any kind of toponomy!

whatever Londin is more important than mancfester. What film did Black Rebel Motorcycle Club get their name from?

Curiously enough It was The Wild One And London better than Manchester? South better than North? Tired tired tired debate

"New band" Grandaddy? I hope you're being ironic, Flash. For I remember listening to them around 1996/97.

The Wild One. Spack - just dont mention Justin Timberframe.

The Smiths were great. Morrissey, even though he's a fat lardarse who pretends he's being persecuted by the record industry when the truth is he's just being lazy, is Britain's laureate King of songsmithery - Or maybe he's just Mark E. Smith's queen. Nah, because Mark E. Smith is GOD. I think 'Panic' is the Smiths best song, although I like Morrissey's solo stuff more - Viva Hate is a BEAUT! And I was only born in 1981, so you can't say I'm being nostalgic. Well, unless I'm being nostalgic about being 3 of course. Which could happen...

And what was the name of the rival gang?

They build a great Timberframe house in the film 'Witness'. There were no Motercycles in sight though. Ralphie

Liana - what is wrong with Spack's statement? It IS a great pop tune. Catchy, twee, sing-a-long, bouncy. And it's about your bird being in a coma! Ace! These stereotypes of spot-poppin' and middle-class navel-gazin' have an element of truth, but it's the very reason I was repelled as an adolescent. It's only when I discovered the MUSIC that I truly loved the Smiths. Then I DID listen to the lyrics, find them amusing and pertinent. You have to wash your mind of the usual prejudices to enjoy the band. Versus Stone Roses? Hmm. Different sort of band, the Roses. More attitude, one of the best albums of all time, burn-out, Bahamas holidays on victorious new megamainstream record label's money. Finally, (inevitably) disappointing 2nd album. Bit of a cautionary tale really. But very influential. Smiths? Just loads of great singles. Albums were all dodgy compilations really. But what singles? Sheila Take a Bow, These Things Take Time, What Difference Does it Make, How Soon Is Now, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - all BRILLIANT and I could go on forever so I better stop.

All Families Are Psychotic is a great Coupland book in a weird psychotic sort of way. I enjoyed it anyway.

Stuart The other gang were called The Beetles *Slopes off back to his geeky hole in the ground*

At last, the cavelry. I think Stone Roses were really great but they were the frontrunners for a movement not, like The Smiths, a stand alone band against whatever else was happening in pop music.

Stormy I hated that Coupland book too Miss Wyoming! Life After God! Hey Nostradamus! All great books . . .

Well done. Well I'm off on my dinner break.

Perhaps, like the smiths, it's an age thing peter. grin.

Well, in my mid-teens I was fanatically into Cast, so that shows you what side of the relentless optimism/relentless misery fence I was on. I've only got into the Smiths in recent years, and I'm completely in love with them. Yep, probably the greatest band of the eighties. Even if you don't like them you can't deny they have a helluva lot of character, and Morrissey is so utterly charming. When I compare him to myself, he isn't really very pale and skinny either - more slim and stylish.

"Morrissey is so utterly charming" ... by what yardstick do you measure charm Hen? Dustin Hoffman in Rainman?

what happens when a thread gets to 100?

"There's no such thing as quality in music. If you like it, it's good. If you don't, it isn't." I think that's what the chap in the Hives said, and I agree with him. Anyone remember The Moldy Peaches? Recent band - couldn't play their instruments/keep rhythm/sing in tune/do anything impressive. Stupid, stupid lyrics ("I am a goat in a moat with a boat") and stumbling, two chord tunes. People still loved them. I didn't, but I know people who did. Ultimate proof of the non-existence of objective quality in music. And the best band of the nineties were Cast by a country mile.

the

I dunno - my pet theory on Coupland is that he always tries. He's working something out. And sometimes he gets there and sometimes he doesn't. And when he does, he's untouchable. And when he doesn't - it's sort of frustrating, but you can applaud the endeavour . . .

queen

Hey, I got to make the 69th entry. *Yuks like Keanu Reeves and twiddles air guitar*

sends

us

all

cards. Whoopee!!!!!!!!!!!!! *that's if she's not dead*

It was number 70 Peter, not number 69. Do you always have this trouble?

No, no. no - look again Pete got 69 too (I can't believe I'm arguing this point!!)

Its a moutful isn't Peter? Ralphie