The Smiths & Morrissey thread

Posted this a few minutes ago, on the “What are you listening to right now” thread, but of course it's better off here.

Just listened – for the millionth time – to “The Headmaster Ritual”. Always a tonic. I quite like what Moz has done solo, but nothing beats the Smiths for me. They sort of saved the 80s, as far as I was concerned. I remember I was living in Japan for the mid-eighties, thoroughly alienated by what was going on in that decade (politically, culturally, socially, you name it) surrounded by people who either swore by Madonna, or swore by Bruce Springsteen. Since I had very little time for either, I felt bereft, left shipwrecked on a raft drifting from the sixties and seventies. Musically speaking, that is. Then, virtually by accident, I heard Meat Is Murder, immediately bought it, and thought, “the decade is saved”.
But here's a conundrum. If that bass line – terrific, by the way – on The Headmaster Ritual isn't being played on a Rickenbacker, then my auntie's a Chinaman. Yet everything you can find about Andy Rourke says that he played a Fender Precision, or various other forms of Fender. Can any Smiths übergeek solve this one for me?
 
Lovebitesandeveryfing said:
Posted this a few minutes ago, on the “What are you listening to right now” thread, but of course it's better off here.

Just listened – for the millionth time – to “The Headmaster Ritual”. Always a tonic. I quite like what Moz has done solo, but nothing beats the Smiths for me. They sort of saved the 80s, as far as I was concerned. I remember I was living in Japan for the mid-eighties, thoroughly alienated by what was going on in that decade (politically, culturally, socially, you name it) surrounded by people who either swore by Madonna, or swore by Bruce Springsteen. Since I had very little time for either, I felt bereft, left shipwrecked on a raft drifting from the sixties and seventies. Musically speaking, that is. Then, virtually by accident, I heard Meat Is Murder, immediately bought it, and thought, “the decade is saved”.
But here's a conundrum. If that bass line – terrific, by the way – on The Headmaster Ritual isn't being played on a Rickenbacker, then my auntie's a Chinaman. Yet everything you can find about Andy Rourke says that he played a Fender Precision, or various other forms of Fender. Can any Smiths übergeek solve this one for me?
Click to expand...
http://www.smithsonguitar.com/2012/01/andy-rourkes-gear.html
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
My Smiths 10 question quiz...... The easy one with the harder one to follow.
No googling!
Don't answer here but PM me..... Then I can announce the winner.

1. How soon is now? was originally released on the B side of what single?

2. What single did Morrissey appear on the front cover after Terrence Stamp objected to his image being used?

3. How many songs did The Smiths perform at their first gig at The Ritz?

4. The opening line to "Hand in glove' was used in the lyrics at the end of which other song?

5. Which English county has 2 towns / cities mentioned in the song Panic?

6. What was the shortest single the band released?

7. The bands early song "What do you see in her?" was retitled as what?

8. The band played a benefit gig for Liverpool City Council with which two other Manchester bands?

9. Which Smiths song features very briefly in the film "Shaun Of The Dead"?

10. Which single did Craig Gannon claim song writing credits for?
Click to expand...

1. William
2. What Difference
3. 4
4. Bollocks, off the fist album, but can't remember, just know it fades out to Hand in Glove!
5. Yorkshire (Leeds and Humberside?)
6. Shakespear Sister
7. Wonderful Woman
8. New Order and A Certain Ratio
9. Don't know
10. Ask
 
johnnytapia said:
1. William
2. What Difference
3. 4
4. Bollocks, off the fist album, but can't remember, just know it fades out to Hand in Glove!
5. Yorkshire (Leeds and Humberside?)
6. Shakespear Sister
7. Wonderful Woman
8. New Order and A Certain Ratio
9. Don't know
10. Ask
Click to expand...
Humberside isn't a town or a city!
You got New Order correct but not ACR.
Hand in glove question is Pretty Girls Make Graves
 
Mad Eyed Screamer said:
Humberside isn't a town or a city!
You got New Order correct but not ACR.
Hand in glove question is Pretty Girls Make Graves
Click to expand...
Okay, so Carlisle and Grasmere must be the answer to the county but I'm not 100% sure if Grasmere is Cumbria, but if it ain't Cumbria I've no idea.
The other Manchester band: James? The Fall? Ludus?

Yep, Pretty Girls Make Graves, ahhhh, should have got that, that last line sung very slowly.

No idea on No.9 without Google.
 
johnnytapia said:
Okay, so Carlisle and Grasmere must be the answer to the county but I'm not 100% sure if Grasmere is Cumbria, but if it ain't Cumbria I've no idea.
The other Manchester band: James? The Fall? Ludus?

Yep, Pretty Girls Make Graves, ahhhh, should have got that, that last line sung very slowly.

No idea on No.9 without Google.
Click to expand...
Yes Cumbria.
Yes The Fall
Panic was in Shaun of the Dead
 
In 2003, Pete Finan was on Mastermind specialist subject was The Smiths. Here's the questions:


1 The Smiths were formed when lyricist Morrissey joined forces with guitarist Johnny Marr & bassist Andy Rourke & which drummer?

2 Turning down Manchester based Factory records, in April 1983 the Smiths signed a one off deal with which London based independent label?

3 In their early shows Morrissey would often pay tribute to his earlier influences. How did he do so in the case of Johnny Ray?

4 Before Andy Rourke joined the band, the Smiths played their debut gig in October 1982 at which Manchester venue?

5 The Smiths released their debut single in May 1983 when it immediately topped the UK independent chart. What was it’s title?

6 In May 1983, on which programme on Radio1 could their first session be heard?

7 Which British actor objected to the use of his image on the sleeve of the Smiths 1984 single “What difference does it make”?

8 Nov. 1984, the Smiths released a low priced album, a collection of BBC radio sessions & B-sides, under what title?

9 In March 1985, the actress Pat Phoenix reportedly declared by the band as “the greatest woman who ever lived” appeared on the sleeve of which of the Smiths single release?

10 On which label did the band release their debut album “The Smiths” in the USA?

11 The band’s highest chart single “Heavens knows I’m Miserable now” reached No.10 despite some retail chains refusing to stock it. Why did they refuse?

12 Which 1985 single release ultimately provided backing for a TV jeans commercial was also sampled(?) in a 90’s hit “Hippy Chick”?

13 Which venue in Madison Square Gardens New York, did the band play in Sept. 1984 on a brief visit to the U.S.?

14 In Feb 1985, the Smiths released an album which went straight to No.1, displacing Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”. What was the album title?
 
johnnytapia said:
In 2003, Pete Finan was on Mastermind specialist subject was The Smiths. Here's the questions:


1 The Smiths were formed when lyricist Morrissey joined forces with guitarist Johnny Marr & bassist Andy Rourke & which drummer?

2 Turning down Manchester based Factory records, in April 1983 the Smiths signed a one off deal with which London based independent label?

3 In their early shows Morrissey would often pay tribute to his earlier influences. How did he do so in the case of Johnny Ray?

4 Before Andy Rourke joined the band, the Smiths played their debut gig in October 1982 at which Manchester venue?

5 The Smiths released their debut single in May 1983 when it immediately topped the UK independent chart. What was it’s title?

6 In May 1983, on which programme on Radio1 could their first session be heard?

7 Which British actor objected to the use of his image on the sleeve of the Smiths 1984 single “What difference does it make”?

8 Nov. 1984, the Smiths released a low priced album, a collection of BBC radio sessions & B-sides, under what title?

9 In March 1985, the actress Pat Phoenix reportedly declared by the band as “the greatest woman who ever lived” appeared on the sleeve of which of the Smiths single release?

10 On which label did the band release their debut album “The Smiths” in the USA?

11 The band’s highest chart single “Heavens knows I’m Miserable now” reached No.10 despite some retail chains refusing to stock it. Why did they refuse?

12 Which 1985 single release ultimately provided backing for a TV jeans commercial was also sampled(?) in a 90’s hit “Hippy Chick”?

13 Which venue in Madison Square Gardens New York, did the band play in Sept. 1984 on a brief visit to the U.S.?

14 In Feb 1985, the Smiths released an album which went straight to No.1, displacing Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA”. What was the album title?
Click to expand...
I know Peter very well. We were in a team called The Suedeheads that went on Eggheads!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top