The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982. The band consisted of vocalist
Morrissey, guitarist
Johnny Marr, bassist
Andy Rourke and drummer
Mike Joyce.
Critics have called them the most important alternative rock band to
emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
Based on the songwriting partnership of Morrissey and Marr, the group
signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, on which
they released four studio albums,
The Smiths (1984),
Meat Is Murder (1985),
The Queen Is Dead (1986) and
Strangeways,
Here We Come (1987).
They have also released several compilations, and numerous non-LP
singles. Although the band had limited commercial success outside the UK
while they were still together, and never released a single that
charted higher than number eight in their home country, they had several
top 20 hit singles and all four of their albums reached the UK top five
including one which topped the UK charts. The Smiths won a significant
following, and remain cult and commercial favourites. The band broke up
in 1987 and have turned down several offers to reunite.
Complete is a box set released released in 26 September
2011. It contains 112 tracks over 8 CDs; Its contents include their
four studio albums (The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and
Strangeways, Here We Come), a live album (Rank) and three compilations
(Hatful of Hollow, The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs).