LOL have you met Martin? Have you seen Gene live? Do you know anything about them?
They are a student union version of a Morrissey B- side. They are NOTHING like the smiths. They are not really anything like Morrissey just a very bad impression. Th only people who like them are people who listen to Morrissey and don't really get him. All that said out of the obvious copycat moz bands Gene are one of the better ones. Some ok songs. Martin is a song writer and not a pop star . Morrissey is a poetic wordsman and a popstar , very differing beasts .Sadly for Martin he was outclassed by Suede , Pulp, Blur . Manics, Oasis etc.
Never seen, heard them live or met them.
Just found out recently and just like their music very much so.
There is still a lot I don't know.
I don't understand why they are seen as too much Smiths or Moz epigones.
I can hear the inspiration and the melancholy feeling but they have a certain unique sound and personal touch. They are very different from other Smiths or Moz influenced bands.
Maybe Martin Rossiter was outclassed by those you mention in a commercial sense and in the way they were known by the media.
But I don't rate them anything less than those you mention in a musical sense and agree Martin Rossiter is a very fine songwriter.
Mind you, Moz and The Smiths are in a different league for me and outclassing all those names!