The Smiths FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Most Important British Band of the 1980s

by John D. Luerssen

Revered and massively influential, the Smiths have been called the most important band of the fertile U.K. 1980s music scene. While the group was only active for five years (1982 to 1987), the cult of the Manchester-reared foursome has ballooned in the three decades since its dissolution. Despite a $75 million offer to reunite for a two month tour in 2007, Morrissey and Johnny Marr, the group's principals, refused, opting to leave their legend untainted. The Smiths have since influenced a who's who of alternative music, including Death Cab for Cutie, Radiohead, the Killers, Jeff Buckley, Pete Yorn, the Decemberists, and Oasis.

Featuring a foreword by guitarist and “Fifth Smith” who played with the band in 1986, The Smiths FAQ traces the band's history with clarity and detail, illuminating such questions as Who were the Nosebleeds? Why did Morrissey shun the Ramones? Who were the Paris Valentinos? What was Cult guitarist Billy Duffy's connection to the band? How was Morrissey injured during the group's U.S. debut performance? What Smiths single paid homage to T. Rex?. John D. Luerssen (author of FAQ series titles about U2, Bruce Springsteen, and Nirvana) gathers the indispensable early facts, the legendary stories, and inimitable anecdotes that make this a must-own tome for all fans.

Genres: Music

529 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2015

Reviews

[Benedict Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me go back through my Smiths catalogue (a realise I had a few obvious holes). Pretty sure I ended up hearing a couple of songs for the first time as a result of reading this book.
My goodness they were all very full of themselves, but reading about their song leftwing cred at the time, and support of Billy Bragg... it all made me remember that people are often wiser in their youth.