Heartbreak for Smiths fans: A reunion seems impossible. But what if Morrissey and Johnny Marr decided to move forward without Mike Joyce? That's the question swirling after recent comments from the band's former drummer.
Mike Joyce, the man behind the iconic Smiths' drumbeat, has publicly acknowledged what many have suspected for years: a full-fledged Smiths reunion is simply not in the cards. In a recent interview with BBC North West Tonight, coinciding with the release of his book, 'The Drums,' the 62-year-old drummer from Fallowfield, Manchester, reflected on his time with the band and offered a surprisingly open perspective on the future – or lack thereof – for The Smiths.
Joyce spoke fondly of his former bandmates – Morrissey, Johnny Marr, and the late Andy Rourke. He reminisced about their close bond during the band's peak. But don't expect to see them sharing a pint down at the pub anytime soon. "I know the Smiths can't reform because Andy's not here, but Morrissey and Johnny, if they want to get it together and do something, fair enough," he stated candidly. He also mentioned brief, amicable encounters with Johnny Marr at Andy Rourke's memorial and a West Ham game, suggesting a cordial, albeit distant, relationship remains.
And this is the part most people miss: Joyce's willingness to step aside if Morrissey and Marr wanted to collaborate under The Smiths banner. Could it actually happen?
The Smiths exploded onto the music scene in 1982 in Manchester, releasing four critically acclaimed studio albums before their abrupt split in 1987. The breakup was reportedly fueled by tensions between Marr and Morrissey, with Marr's frustration over Morrissey's perceived limitations and Morrissey's annoyance with Marr's side projects. Marr actually left the band just weeks before their final album dropped in 1987.
Joyce's book, he says, primarily focuses on the whirlwind years of 1983 to 1987 – the period of the band's meteoric rise. "The time that I was in the band was such an incredible experience, and we were such good friends. We saw each other every day for four years," he recalled, emphasizing the intense bond forged during their shared journey.
Those four years were a whirlwind of creativity, culminating in four albums and extensive world tours. Joyce described the touring schedule as "relentless" but ultimately an "incredible experience." He highlighted the band's rapid ascent, noting, "A lot of bands they start off and try to be successful, but with The Smiths, it was first single, and bang, we were off. It happened overnight really." To illustrate their growing popularity, Joyce recounted playing Manchester nightclub The Haçienda three times within eight months, each time to drastically different audiences. The first performance saw only one woman clapping (a friend of the band), while the final show required St. John's Ambulance to assist fainting fans.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Joyce speaks fondly of his time in The Smiths, his comments also subtly highlight the complex dynamics and potential obstacles to any future collaboration. Could Morrissey and Marr recapture the magic of The Smiths without Joyce's drumming? Some fans believe his unique style was integral to the band's sound. Others argue that the songwriting partnership between Morrissey and Marr is the true heart of The Smiths.
Beyond The Smiths, Joyce also touched upon his "love-hate relationship" with Manchester, explaining why the city will always be his home. He described Manchester in the 1970s as a starkly different place, far from the vibrant hub it is today. "It was a very different place in the 70s. People didn't come to Manchester for the weekend. You came if you had relatives or to go to the university," he explained. He also remembered the Northern Quarter as a desolate area after 6 pm. Despite these past impressions, Joyce expressed immense pride in Manchester's transformation and always looks forward to returning after touring. "It's a beautiful place. I've had a love-hate relationship with it over the years, when I was younger because it was quite a dark and foreboding place," he said, adding, "I've lived in London, I thought about living in Europe at one point... I've been around the world and I will always come back to Manchester because it's home."
So, what do you think? Could The Smiths ever exist without all four original members? Is it even ethical for Morrissey and Marr to use the name without Andy Rourke and potentially without Mike Joyce? Or is it their right to continue creating music under the moniker that they helped build? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
