written for High Voltage
The Smiths have left behind a unique and enduring legacy. Their songs are listened to by more people now than ever before and they continue to influence an untold number of new bands. Morrissey’s unsurpassed ability to write poetic lyrics, that were both witty and sorrowful, meant that the band were blessed with the best pop wordsmith of a generation. Add to that Johnny Marr’s gift of being able to structure beautiful chord progressions, played in a distinctive arpeggio style, and it created something very special. The Smiths Indeed, a highly acclaimed Smiths tribute band, attempted to re-create some of this magic tonight, but as is often the case at tribute events such as this, their efforts fell embarrassingly short.
As tribute acts go, The Smiths Indeed are fairly decent. It is quite clear that they have studied the band closely in an attempt to incorporate as much detail as possible, by carefully selecting the guitar tones and being as true to the original compositions as one could imagine. However, some parts of their act fall woefully short; and the idea that this band can transport an audience back to the 1980’s, and give a true flavour of what a Smiths concert was really like, is complete nonsense. They deserve credit for being able to authentically reproduce many of the songs with some accuracy, but what purpose tribute acts serve became more and more unclear as the evening progressed. It seemed like many members of the audience had come to pretend they were watching The Smiths, but the reality was oh so different.
Despite generally performing with professionalism, there were some extremely hairy moments. The worst being when the guitarist, who had performed some tricky Marr riffs fairly competently, played the ‘Shoplifters of the World Unite’ solo pitifully out of key, which sounded amateurish and made a few onlookers squirm. At £10 pounds a ticket, the ability to play a simple solo section would seem a minimum requirement. That was by no means the only awkward moment. The onstage gyrating and hip swinging, which was meant to portray Morrissey dancing around in his pomp, was also slightly uncomfortable to watch.
Tonight’s performance came as part of The Smiths Indeed’s latest tour, which is a celebration of 25 years since the release of Meat is Murder, and the first half of their set was dedicated to playing the complete album in its original order. There was then a short break before they launched in to some other classic tracks, including the much-loved b-side Wonderful Woman. The drums and bass were played with expert precision, and the electric guitar tone was faithful to the original and was played through a nice Rickenbacker, giving them a solid overall sound. In general, the vocal was good, with singer J. Wendelen incorporating the falsetto sing-outs on ‘What Difference Does It Make?’ and ‘Well I Wonder’ with great aplomb.
Credit should go to The Smiths Indeed for managing to expertly play large parts of their set with exactness; it is certainly not an easy task to play work originally written by expert musicians. Nevertheless, the idea of ever seeing them again is frightful. It was all supposed to be a bit of fun but for some it was an experience to forget. Lesson learned – stay away from tribute bands.
Passions Just Like Mine 
Elusive Doo
April 15, 2010
Harsh, witty but fair by the sound of it PJLM. Those that can doo, those that can’t tribute!! ED.
JMaher
April 16, 2010
Witty – i don’t think so! Only a failed musician would write a review of something he hates. Stop trying so hard to be cool and use a spellchecker next time. 😉
passionsjustlikemine
April 16, 2010
hate is a strong word. i take it you’re that wretched guitarist?
Elusive Doo
April 19, 2010
The Australian Doors, now that was a tribute act!! With the exception of ‘Jim’ the other guys only interest was in bookmatching the sounds and delivering a show. They were great, saw them three times. The guitarist played with his fingers and had a sweet little Mesa Boogie amp on a stool. The drummer had a tiny kit just like Densmore. Now KISS tribute acts, don’t get me started they blow serious chunks…Keep on blogging PJLM, I pray to God you’re not a failed musician because I hate them folks!!!. Re: TSI – given a little time I’m sure they’ll get it spot on for the kids?
Bertram J Hepplewhite
April 20, 2010
What a shocking review! Amateurish, and needlessly offensive.
I’ve seen both The Smiths, and The Smiths Indeed, and I think that this tribute band do an absolutely cracking job!
If you truly believe what you have written, and I realise that you could be merely trying to make your name as a ‘controversial’ journalist, then you are far, far outweighed by those who have seen the band, and who have been totally blown away by their performances.
To be honest, your ‘review’, smacks more of ‘school essay’, than ‘serious journalism’.
passionsjustlikemine
April 21, 2010
Hi, thanks for taking the time to read it and leave a comment. I’m sorry the review doesn’t agree with your view of the band’s efforts but I can only say what I feel to be true. I have a duty to myself not to lie and say what I think people want me to say, instead I try to say it how I saw it. Just to pick you up on a couple of your points and feel free to write back.
You called my review ‘amateurish’. Well seen as though I have only just started reviewing music (probably done 15 reviews in total) then, yeah, I am an amateur! So, well done for pointing that out.
You also said my review was ‘needlessly offensive’ but then went on to describe it as ‘shocking’, ‘amateurish’ and like a ‘school essay’, surely that is also needlessly offensive?
You also said that I may be attempting to be a ‘controversial journalist’. If you had bothered to read any of my other work you would quite clearly see that I am not unfair for the sake of it. I have so far made every attempt to be fair and honest in each review.
In sum, I do not feel guilty for saying what I believe to be true. I agree with you that my view is different from most people who see The Smiths Indeed but that doesn’t mean I should write what the masses think. This is my blog and my review and therefore represents my opinions and not those of others.
Bertram J Hepplewhite
April 21, 2010
As you invited my reply, I shall. Thank you.
“.. their efforts fell embarrassingly short.”
“.. some parts of their act fall woefully short.”
Did they? Do they? ‘Woeful’? ‘Embarrassing’? Really? Those are quite strong statements, Robert! I’ve seen the band a few times, always remaining sober I hasten to add, and neither of those two descriptors have ever sprung to mind.
I’m a very passionate fan of The Smiths, and have quite an extensive collection of live recordings, both audio and visual, and, comparing these recordings to the times I’ve seen The Smiths Indeed, I’d say that the similarities were quite astounding. While I’m prepared to admit that the guitarists and drummer don’t really resemble their Smiths counterparts, the singer bears a striking physical resemblance to Morrissey, and it is obvious that he’s done his homework.
“the idea that this band can transport an audience back to the 1980’s, and give a true flavour of what a Smiths concert was really like, is complete nonsense.”
As you’re a student, how on Earth would you know what it was like to be at a Smiths gig, Robert? The tens of thousands of atendees of the Smiths Indeed gigs over the years, are quite prepared to enter into the spirit of the night, let their hair down, and enjoy themselves. I’ve even heard people complaining that the band were miming to Smiths recordings, such is the accuracy.
“..but what purpose tribute acts serve became more and more unclear as the evening progressed.”
So, you ‘don’t like tribute acts’. Here we find the basis of your dislike of The Smiths Indeed. You went into that gig with a predjudice against tribute acts.
“It seemed like many members of the audience had come to pretend they were watching The Smiths, but the reality was oh so different.”
The whole POINT of seeing a tribute act, is to pretend you’re watching the ‘real deal’. You really don’t understand it, do you Robert? People do ‘realise’ that it’s NOT the original band when they pay their ‘hard-earned’ for the tickets!
” the guitarist, …. played the ‘Shoplifters of the World Unite’ solo pitifully out of key, which sounded amateurish and made a few onlookers squirm.”
How did you know that they were ‘squirming’? Did you ask them? Are you sure they weren’t just dancing? To be fair, I’ve got videos of Johnny Marr hitting wrong notes, and playing sections out of key. That happens to all musicians from time to time. No biggie!
“The onstage gyrating and hip swinging, which was meant to portray Morrissey dancing around in his pomp, was also slightly uncomfortable to watch.”
Thank Heavens, Robert, that you were born after The Smiths split up, otherwise you’d have felt equally as embarrassed by watching Morrissey, in his ‘pomp’.
“Nevertheless, the idea of ever seeing them again is frightful.”
Don’t be frightened by the thought, Robert! You don’t have to go to see The Smiths Indeed, again! Or ANY other tribute act, for that matter. I do have to wonder, however, as you are so opposed to tribute acts, why on Earth did you pay £10 to see one?
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