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Skylarker
Guest
.....
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
I don't consider them a band...obviously he does, though. He's a solo artist which means who he's backed by isn't who you are paying to see. However, that doesn't mean I don't care who he's backed by because that reflects the quality of the music you're going to hear.
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Dave
Guest
I don't consider them a band. If they wrote together more it would be good for them. It's more the singer with backup band now and that turns into a different thing. You lose a lot of the energy of the rock feel and move into pop, and for that to work you have to have good songs that will connect with an audience.
Fulham Road Lights
Ill-adjusted
I don't consider them a band, but neither do I consider the Smiths a band. It's been Morrissey's journey since 1982, his musicians have always simply been his foil, and obviously they've been ever changing.
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
If The Smiths weren't a band, they would have been called Morrissey.
Good question Skylarker, this is something I've always thought about.
I think the closest we've ever gotten to that "band feeling" was with the Lads from 1991-1994. Just look at the many photographs, music videos, and even single sleeves of that era - it was hard to find Moz and the gang NOT together. I think Morrissey was finally comfortable with his players at that point in his career, and there's no doubting that Boz and the boys helped re-energize Morrissey as well. However, I think the eventual rotation of bass and drums during the mid to late 90s affected any proper band mentality, and along with players coming and going over the years it just feels now like Morrissey and a bunch of session musicians. Anyone remember Vincent Jones?
I think the closest we've ever gotten to that "band feeling" was with the Lads from 1991-1994. Just look at the many photographs, music videos, and even single sleeves of that era - it was hard to find Moz and the gang NOT together. I think Morrissey was finally comfortable with his players at that point in his career, and there's no doubting that Boz and the boys helped re-energize Morrissey as well. However, I think the eventual rotation of bass and drums during the mid to late 90s affected any proper band mentality, and along with players coming and going over the years it just feels now like Morrissey and a bunch of session musicians. Anyone remember Vincent Jones?
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
sad veiled bride
can you please stop time?
Tha Smiths are a duo...I thought everyone knew.
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
It's amazing how a duo can play 3 instruments at the same time...
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Fulham Road Lights
Ill-adjusted
The Smiths were as much a backing group as the current band. They were a "band" only in name. The songs were written in the same way as they are now. His "solo" career is a continuation of the same themes and stories, a progression of one career.
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
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murder and desire
Junior Member
I understand what you mean. The fact remains they are a band, the clue is in the title "Backing Band". The Cure and The Fall (for instance) have had a number of band member changes BUT they are still thought of as an active band- this is because most people don't see beyond the title. Boz has been a writing partner with moz for years and so had Alan..longer than most writing teams in other bands. Moz and Marr did most of the work in The Smiths but The Smiths were still a band rather than a duo.
After the split of Smiths some people started saying Smiths were Morrissey and Marr partnership.
Although media exposure were mainly on songwriters, the majority of us considered Smiths as a band.
And of course, majority rules when it comes to opinion..
murder and desire
Junior Member
If the Smiths were not a band than neither are (at a guess) 80% of all bands, including The Jam, The Specials, The Kinks,The Stone Roses,The Fall,Oasis,The Verve and Blur
sad veiled bride
can you please stop time?
They were very talented
Seriously, maybe I'm wrong but I've always seen them as a Moz-Marr Hand in glove-thing with the contribution of two other guys who, honestly, could be replaced by anyone
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Deleted member 1074
Guest
They were very talented
Seriously, maybe I'm wrong but I've always seen them as a Moz-Marr Hand in glove-thing with the contribution of two other guys who, honestly, could be replaced by anyone
Oh, I agree they could be replaced by anyone...people only really care about seeing Morrissey and Marr together again. It's just, I think if it wasn't for the court case, their contributions to the sound of The Smiths wouldn't be as overlooked as it is.
Librarian On Fire
Active Member
Morrissey took great care in selecting Boz and Alain. I'm sure I remember reading how he wanted to "create" a band. For me I have never seen the band as anything more than session musicians. They all appear to be of the same. Short 1950 style haircuts and tattoos. They are all interchangeable with each other in my opinion. I've never studied the line ups in great detail and even being a Morrissey fan for something like 25 years I still don't quite know all the dramatics with bass players leaving, new drummers. It all passes me by.
When I listen to "Years Of Refusal" I see that the band had too much influence and the result is an album who's track listing makes it difficult to listen too. An album which as some great songs on it, and a lot of trad pub rock.
If Johnny Bridgewood passed me in the street, I wouldn't know him from Adam.
When I listen to "Years Of Refusal" I see that the band had too much influence and the result is an album who's track listing makes it difficult to listen too. An album which as some great songs on it, and a lot of trad pub rock.
If Johnny Bridgewood passed me in the street, I wouldn't know him from Adam.
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