were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey (vocals) and Johnny Marr (guitar), the band also included Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the independent music scene of the 1980s, and the group has had a major influence on subsequent artists. Morrissey’s lovelorn tales of alienation found an audience amongst youth culture bored by the ubiquitous synthesizer-pop bands of the early 1980s, while Marr’s complex melodies helped return guitar-based music to popularity in Britain. The group were signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, for whom they released four studio albums and several compilations, as well as numerous non-LP singles. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a growing following, and remain cult and commercial favourites. The band broke up in 1987 amid disagreements between Morrissey and Marr and have turned down several offers to reform since then. Throughout the group’s existence, Morrissey and Johnny Marr dictated the musical direction of The Smiths. Marr said in 1990, “It was a 50/50 thing between Morrissey and me. We were completely in sync about which way we should go for each record”. “Encyclopedia Britannica” comments that the band’s “non-rythm-and-blues, whiter-then-white fusion of 1960s rock and post-punk was a repudiation of contemporary dance pop” which was popular in the early 1980s. The band’s music purposefully rejected synthesizers and dance music. Marr’s jangly Rickenbacker guitar-playing was influenced by The Birds, Neil Young’s work with Crazy Horse, George Harrison and James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders. Marr often tuned his guitar up a full step to F# to accommodate Morrissey’s vocal range, and also utilised open tunings. The guitarist devoted his focus to the production of the group’s music. Citing producer Phil Spector as an influence, Marr said, “I like the idea of records, even those with plenty of space, that sound ’symphonic’. I like the idea of all the players merging into one atmosphere”. Musically, Morrissey’s role in the band was to create vocal melodies and lyrics. Morrissey’s songwriting would be influenced by punk rock and post-punk bands such as the New York Dolls, The Cramps and The Cult, along with 1960’s girl groups, and female singers such as Dusty Springfield, Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithful and Timi Yuro. Morrissey’s lyrics, while superficially depressing, were often full of mordant humour; John Peel remarked that The Smiths were one of the few bands capable of making him laugh out loud. Influenced by his childhood interest in the working-class social realism of 1960s “kitchen sink” television plays, Morrissey wrote about ordinary people and their experiences with despair, rejection and death. While gloomy “…songs such as ‘Still Ill’ sealed his role as spokesman for disaffected youth”, Morrissey’s “manic-depressive rants” and his “‘woe-is-me’ posture inspired some hostile critics to dismiss the Smiths as ‘miserabilists.’” The group had a distinctive visual style on their album and single covers, which often featured colorful images of film and pop stars, usually in duotone, designed by Morrissey and Rough Trade art coordinator Jo Slee. Single covers rarely featured any text other than the band name, and the band themselves did not appear on the outer cover of their UK releases. (Morrissey did, however, appear on an alternative cover for “What Difference Does It Make?”, mimicking the pose of the original subject, UK film actor Terence Stamp, after the latter objected to his image being used.) The “cover stars” were an indication of Morrissey’s personal interests in obscure or cult film stars, featuring Stamp, Alain Delon, Jean Marais, Warhol prot’eg’e Joe Dallesandro, James Dean, figures from 1960s British culture (Viv Nicholson, Pat Phoenix, Yootha Joyce, Shelagh Delaney), or images of unknown models taken from old films or magazines. The Smiths hve influenced a number of alternative rock bands through their career.

innovative filmmaker who continues to create worlds that I enjoy inhabiting. Thank you so much for “My Own Private Idaho” & “MILK”!!

a film directed by Marc Saltarelli. The first film I saw when I watched the “Click List” on LOGO channel, and the Cast includes my friend, Brian Norris. Also, I quite enjoyed “Wingtips”, and I am looking forward to seeing Marc’s newest film, “To Comfort You”.

a voice that must be heard! A great talent…and an honor to call “my friend”. Also, it is my extreme pleasure to announce that Jelsa is providing the music for my film, “The Dinner Date”. Go to her myspace page & give her a listen…You’re Welcome!!

a novel by Tom Spanbauer. Another book that I would love to direct for the screen. I adapted a scene from this book for Howard Deutch’s Director’s workshop.

a novel by Christopher Bram. I really love this book. I’ve adapted two scenes from the novel, and presented them on stage at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. One day, fingers crossed, I will be able to direct this as a film.

a novel by Gordon Merrick. Beginning to read this gay classic that I just became aware of…already delighting in C.B.! 09-10-09 have read through the summer of Charlie & Peter…capturing a time in history…my heart is going out to pure first-love! 09-16-09 page 185, Sapphire, “I say, if it’s love, the Lord won’t mind. There’s enough hate in the world.” My initial delight in C.B. has reminded me of a lyric from Morrissey, “I have spent my whole life in ruins, by people who are nice.” 09-17-09 finished the novel. True love prevails! Peter and Charlie love & live happily ever after. The jacket reads that it was a novel that first abandoned the tragic homosexual ending, which has to be applauded. Always love, never hold back, darling.