CityLife

Joyce: There's no Smiths reunion

NEW CLUB NIGHT: Joyce

I HATE to be the bearer of bad news, but reports that legendary Manc band The Smiths could reunite have been rubbished by one of the original members.

Rumours surfaced last week that the band – Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce – were being approached to get together for a spectacular one-off concert at Californian music festival Coachella next year.

But former drummer Mike reckons there’s no chance of the four original members getting back together.

That might be no bad thing – as he reckons a reunion would be “pretty awful”.

Mike tells the M.E.N.'s Diary: “I was in Liverpool last week when the story broke, and I had all sorts of people coming up to me asking if it was true.

“But it’s a load of nonsense. It’s one of those rumours that resurfaces every now and again, like Lord Lucan being spotted.

“I think If Morrissey had been asked about it ten years ago, then he might have done it – but I can’t see it now.

“And if it did happen, I think it would be pretty awful, I must admit.”

Mike speculated that the story may not altogether be removed from the fact that record label Warners are this month releasing a new CD compilation of The Smiths greatest hits.

Coincidence

"It's a bit of a coincidence that this story has come out just before this new compilation is released – maybe that’s got something to do with it.”

These days Mike is much more interested in looking forward than looking back – championing up and coming bands.

And he’s going to be starting a new weekly DJ residency at The Brickhouse club on Whitworth Street West from Friday, November 21 from 11pm.

Mike tells me he’ll be bringing the spirit of his former radio show on Oldham radio station The Rev – Alternative Therapy – to the night, with an eclectic mix of music.

He says: “When I started my radio show I found it a great opportunity to air the not-so- obvious.

“I’ve been going out DJ-ing around Manchester but getting a bit bored of all the generic indie music that is played.

“There are a lot of indie nights that are all the same, so I wanted to mix things up a bit, rather than just be a human jukebox.”

Do you agree with Mike Joyce? Have your say.