The Drums

by Mike Joyce

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Adam Parrilli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! I listened to “The Drums” on Spotify as it is only available in the U.S. as an e-book. Listening to Joyce adds wonderful heft to this story that’s heavily told between the years of 1983-1988.
It was interesting to hear the opinion of being in The Smiths from the man sat at the drum kit. Great insight and no catty b.s. in this one. HIGHLY recommended for any big time Smiths fan.

Most shocking fact: Madonna opened for The Smiths on New Year’s Eve 1983!

[Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

An undeniably positive take on an incredible rock and roll experience. Well written and structured. Easy to read and like for fans and newbies.

[Bernard Laugen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Smiths are one of my all time favorite bands. I’ve read the two main biographies of the band, as well as both morrissey and Johnny’s books. To say I was excited for Mike’s story would be an understatement. If only, we could’ve heard Andy’s story too (rip). Mike’s book is more a collection of vignettes, rather than the full story. Apparently it was a decision he made to focus on the joy of the smiths rather than the salacious bits. His tone is casual and almost matter of fact, though he does convey his awe in how lucky he was to be a smith. I enjoyed his take on things, as he always seemed the “everyman” of the smiths. If I had a complaint, it would’ve been I wanted more. As a massive smiths fan, I would’ve loved several hundred more pages of his anecdotes and stories. In the end, while not a full and detailed version of Mike’s story with the smiths, it was an absolute joy to read. What a special band they were… and I think that’s one of the things mike conveys so well… his sense of wonder, luck, and joy at being the drummer of the smiths is palpable on every page.

[Yuri Cunha · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I got this, after having read Moz’s and Marr’s autobiographies and a bunch of Smiths biographies, I thought it was going to be a rehash of what I already knew, a cash grab. And though it’s true that I knew most of what was told here, Joyce tells it as you’d hope an insider would. Also, he is so kind towards his bandmates, including Morrissey, who clearly did not share this courtesy in his Autobiography. This was a joy to listen as an audiobook. Joyce says he is a person who focuses on the positive side of things, and it shows. This is a comfy memoir I would highly recommend to Smiths fans.

[Richard Hakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have never described myself as a Smith fan but I did appreciate them. When the Morrissy book came out I did read it and again before I read this one. The best comments about Morrissy includes separating the art from the artist. Something about their story tells you they were doomed to break apart from the beginning. The whole issue about Mike and Andy's share of Royalties was miss handled. There are far to many opinions and too few facts to really have a opinion but it always strikes me that in an unbalanced relationship there will always be a rebalanced. Mike's story is readable but a little bit sanitised, I feel it was padded out a bit as it would be a chapter or two not a book.

[Anthony Faccenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an overwhelmingly positive take on one of my favorite bands. I listened to the audiobook, and I could listen to Joyce talk all day. It felt like a good friend telling a story. So personal and intimate. Joyce genuinely sounds enthusiastic about sharing his journey, and I loved how he repeatedly highlights his friendship with Andy Rourke. Joyce and Rourke were an integral part of the band’s success, and that really comes through here. He set out to write a positive book that doesn’t slight anyone, and he fully achieved that. A must-read for any fan of The Smiths.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke certainly weren't "replaceable lawnmower parts" and contributed to The Smiths sound. Thankfully he glosses over the litigation (easily done when you win) and instead gives a positive fans-eye view of his time in the band. 3.5 stars for his measured narration of The Drums audiobook.

[Bustagroovy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A must-read for any Smiths fan. And I most definitely recommend the audiobook read by Mike Joyce, available on Spotify.

I'm not too sure about the description saying this is the last of the band to release an autobiography. I can find almost nothing about Andy Rourke's alleged book "Within and Without The Smiths". Not even a cover pic. If anyone has any info please clue me in!

[Matt Grimley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable listen on the audiobook narrated by Mike. Loved hearing so many positive stories from someone who lived life in the best band ever. Mike's passion for this time and the band's legacy is lovely.