The Smiths drummer celebrates Manchester book launch detailing his time in acclaimed indie band

The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce says that being in one of the most acclaimed indie bands of the 80s was “very unique and unusual”.

In an exclusive interview with NQ, Mike Joyce opens up as to why he is now ready to tell the story of the Smiths from his perspective in his latest book, The Drums.

At a book signing in Waterstones in Deansgate, he says: “It’s [about] the unique position I was in, that’s what I wanted to explain.

“I saw the band and the crowd and everything. I really wanted to put that across, what it’s like the be in that situation with a band like the Smiths – it’s very unique and unusual.”

Once The Smiths infiltrated the UK singles charts in 1983 with This Charming Man, they soon became one of the most acclaimed bands of the eighties.

Their subsequent album, Meat is Murder, went straight to the number one spot the following year.

Joyce is a natural regaler of anecdotes and The Drums contains a frank and informative recollection of his time performing in the band.

His book contains fresh stories for even the most hardcore of fans – including the time he got arrested. “Well, I went to prison in New Orleans!” Mike laughs. “There are some revelations in there.”

Taking the time to acknowledge each and every fan at the book signing with a warm and welcoming smile, Joyce clearly remains passionate about the group, looking back upon these memories fondly.

The Drums explores not just his time in The Smiths, but also the years leading up to the band’s formation.

“I don’t think we even get to The Smiths until about halfway through the book,” he explains. “It’s just a very interesting place Manchester. People don’t realise, talking about places like the Northern Quarter in the 70s, it was pretty much a no-go zone.”

It is not just the older generation around at the time enamoured by The Smiths. Guitar-wielding teens were also queueing eagerly to meet the drummer, with many among the younger generation citing the group as their main inspiration to begin playing in their own bands.

It is “really flattering” to hear, according to Mike. “It’s brilliant, of course it is! Anybody that’s ever been in a band ever would like to hear that.

“Of course I’m biased, but we were a great band first and foremost,” he explains. He’s firmly of the belief that the band’s enduring, timeless appeal ultimately stems from the introspective and intricate nature of the music.

“There’s a lot going on with The Smiths, there’s a lot going on. The deeper you want to delve, the more you can uncover. There’s a lot of interesting little facets.”