The Smiths - Inside The Smiths

It’s time the tale were told, of how it was to be one of ‘the other two’. That’s according to Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce, the men behind the irresistible basslines and urgent drums respectively of the sound of The Smiths. There’s not much, though, in the way of astounding revelations in this inside view of Smiths history; instead, a familiar story is made fresh by being couched in the words and memories of two people who were a central part of it. There’s no revenge agenda; Rourke is as open about his addictions as he is about the pain of the infamous court case, and Joyce graciously imagines himself from Morrissey’s point of view: “A bit of a beer monster, and probably he wasn’t far wrong.” Indeed, if there’s anything amiss, it’s that the duo are almost too respectful of their own history; you get a real sense of the dynamics of the group’s psychology, but not so much of Rourke and Joyce as people themselves. With contributions from Mark E Smith, Pete Shelley, and, er… Preston from The Ordinary Boys, this is an essential document for Smiths fans. It’s slightly marred by some slightly schlocky ‘arty’ editing, but that can’t obscure the pair’s touching enthusiasm as they visit their first rehearsal rooms, meet wide-eyed fans and recall the excitement of finding themselves in one of the best bands in the world. As Joyce himself puts it: “It sounded like the groups you want to hear, the groups you want to be in. Then you pinch yourself and realise, I am in them!”