Look at that photo of The Smiths. Taken sometime in the mid-80s when they were the next “big thing.” But they really were. With only four studio albums to their credit, they’ve left a lasting legacy on rock music.
Yet they’re still around. In some ways.
Johnny Marr has been busy ever since leaving The Smiths, doing stints in groups as diverse as The The and Electronic and Modest Mouse.
Morrissey is still making albums. And I’m writing this because I’m going to see Morrissey in concert this Saturday.
When I was living in North Carolina, I fell in love with several groups: Depeche Mode, The Smiths, The Cure, and New Order. Those were the big four for me. I have notebooks with those four names scrawled on the cover. Many of my classmates mocked me because I didn’t like the big hairbands or the bigname rock groups or the music that was “in.” I wasn’t trying to be different–this music spoke to me. It still does.
And these groups are still making music, too.
Depeche Mode releases their 12th album in April.
Morrissey and Marr are still making music. Johnny Marr shows up on another new album by a group I still like a lot (Pet Shop Boys’ latest, which is really good, and I don’t care if you mock me for that either).
The Cure released another album last year.
New Order would still be rocking if their two main guys could get along, but their last album a few years ago was relevant and brilliant.
What does this prove?
That I have brilliant taste.
Oh, I’m kidding. But it does give me validation when I was the only one who liked this music and when I actually got mocked for enjoying it.
I remember things changed when I moved to Chicago and discovered that there were lots of people who enjoyed this kind of music. You didn’t have to move to England to appreciate it. Sure, I still got teased. I remember people singing “Girlfriend In A Coma” to me in my high school hallway.
I liked that song then and I still like it now. And I might just hear it sung in the Aragon Ballroom this upcoming Saturday night.
Is this melancholy music? Sure. Can I understand why my parents called one of these groups Depressed Mode (or Depeche Commode)? Sure. Well, not the commode line. But they’re part of my John Hughes-esque teenage years. I didn’t just love those movies–I was living them. Four different high schools–you try it.
So much angst and so little time.
“To die by your side, well the pleasure the privilege is mine.”
How could an angst-filled, melancholy romantic NOT fall in love with The Smiths and this music?
My problem now is growing up. But the beauty of music is that allows us to always stay young.