In the world of music, some stories are as captivating as they are complex. Today, we delve into the life and legacy of Mike Joyce, the drummer behind The Smiths, a band that left an indelible mark on the music industry. But here's where it gets controversial: Joyce's relationship with his former bandmate, Morrissey, has taken an unexpected turn, and it's a tale that will leave you wanting more.
Imagine a Thursday evening in November 1983. An ex-punk, just 20 years old, finds himself under the pink lights of BBC Television Centre. This young man, Mike Joyce, was part of a band that, despite its brief existence, would become an iconic force in music. Alongside friend-of-a-friend Johnny Marr on guitar and Andy Rourke on bass, they had a unique front-man, Morrissey, who swung gladioli like a cowboy, crooning about bicycles and pantry boys.
Fast forward to the present, and Joyce, now 62, reminisces about those incredible times. With a groovy dad-like energy and a unique perspective, he shares his story in his new memoir, 'The Drums'. The title itself is a nod to how Morrissey listed Joyce on their enigmatic album sleeves.
But the book isn't just about the band's giddy lifespan. It delves into a seven-day court battle where Joyce fought for his share of royalties, a battle he eventually won. It's a story that Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, the biographer who encouraged Joyce to write the book, felt was missing from Morrissey and Marr's memoirs. She wanted to know what it was truly like to be a Smith.
We journey back to Joyce's Irish Catholic upbringing, the youngest of five, with a miner father and a mother who worked three jobs. It was a life of privilege and hardship, where even a hit-and-run accident couldn't keep him down. His survival story is nothing short of remarkable, and it set the stage for his punk-inspired musical journey.
Joyce's drumming brought a unique edge to The Smiths' sound. From the powerful intro of 'The Queen Is Dead' to the soft magic of ballads like 'I Know It's Over', his influence is undeniable. And Morrissey's songwriting, according to Joyce, was universal yet deeply personal, exploring themes of shunning and lust.
In the book, Morrissey is portrayed as a distant figure, often ignoring his bandmates or nibbling apples while they indulged in their own rituals. Joyce even played on Morrissey's early solo singles, but their last meeting was a casual pint years ago. And an unexpected encounter in a computer shop, where Morrissey was buying printer ink, almost led to a reunion, but fate had other plans.
Morrissey, once a huge influence on Joyce, has become a controversial figure in recent years. His statements about selling his back catalogue due to the behavior of Joyce, Marr, and even the late Andy Rourke, have raised eyebrows. But Joyce chooses to remember the Morrissey he knew, the one who introduced him to the works of Shelagh Delaney and Oscar Wilde, and convinced him to become a vegetarian.
Joyce's relationship with Marr is more civil, with their last meeting at a football stadium. They keep things friendly, but the split still hurts. Joyce recalls Marr's departure as a physical bereavement, a loss of a dear friend and bandmate.
With Rourke's passing and the other Smiths distant, a band reunion seems unlikely. But Joyce finds joy in hearing covers, a testament to the enduring resonance of their songs. He even has a favorite cover, Jeff Buckley's rendition of 'I Know It's Over', which he describes as 'out of this world'.
'The Drums' doesn't cover every aspect of Joyce's life. It skips over his time with Sinead O'Connor, teaching Maxine Peake to drum, and his brief stint with Suede. But it does capture the essence of his journey, including his enduring relationship with his wife, Tina, whom he invited to The Smiths' Hacienda gig in 1983.
Mike Joyce's memoir, 'The Drums', is out now with Putman Publishing, offering a unique perspective on one of music's most iconic bands.
