Mike Joyce took mushrooms before his audition for The Smiths and found himself in the midst of a whirlwind experience that changed his life forever. For the drummer, the highs were dizzying – from sold-out shows at the Haçienda to iconic recordings like "This Charming Man" - but the lows were just as intense, including the grueling court case against Morrissey and Marr over recording royalties.
For Joyce, it was a wild ride that he's now chronicled in his memoir, The Drums. He remembers the early days, when Johnny Marr would jam out tunes on his guitar while high on cannabis, and how the band's chemistry would create music that felt like nothing else existed. But as their success grew, so did tensions – particularly over contract disputes and royalties.
When Joyce took mushrooms before the audition, he was terrified but also exhilarated. The experience was a perfect reflection of the band's eccentricity and unpredictability. As he delves into his time with The Smiths, Joyce reveals that Morrissey's songwriting was like nothing he'd ever seen before – a unique blend of beauty and darkness that still sends shivers down his spine.
Despite their eventual split, Joyce remains proud of what they achieved together. He remembers the moment "I Know It's Over" was first played to tears, and how Morrissey's solo recording sessions would leave him stunned in awe. For Joyce, it's a testament to the band's innovative spirit – and the enduring power of music to evoke strong emotions.
As for whether he regrets taking on Morrissey in court, Joyce is steadfast: "I don't." The experience may have been fraught with tension, but ultimately, it allowed him to stand up for what was right. And even though rumors of a reunion still swirl around, Joyce remains skeptical – partly because of the acrimony that followed their split.
The story behind Morrissey's recent decision to sell his business interests in The Smiths is particularly puzzling, with Joyce himself being mentioned directly. Does he wish Morrissey harm? Absolutely not. Despite everything they went through, Joyce still cherishes the memories of his time with The Smiths – and the music that continues to inspire him to this day.
As for what's next, Joyce has just come out of a 21-year retirement from touring to drum for Pete Doherty. It may be a fresh start, but old rivalries never truly die. And in The Drums, we're treated to a candid look at the highs and lows of one band's wild ride – with all its beauty, drama, and unforgettable music.
For Joyce, it was a wild ride that he's now chronicled in his memoir, The Drums. He remembers the early days, when Johnny Marr would jam out tunes on his guitar while high on cannabis, and how the band's chemistry would create music that felt like nothing else existed. But as their success grew, so did tensions – particularly over contract disputes and royalties.
When Joyce took mushrooms before the audition, he was terrified but also exhilarated. The experience was a perfect reflection of the band's eccentricity and unpredictability. As he delves into his time with The Smiths, Joyce reveals that Morrissey's songwriting was like nothing he'd ever seen before – a unique blend of beauty and darkness that still sends shivers down his spine.
Despite their eventual split, Joyce remains proud of what they achieved together. He remembers the moment "I Know It's Over" was first played to tears, and how Morrissey's solo recording sessions would leave him stunned in awe. For Joyce, it's a testament to the band's innovative spirit – and the enduring power of music to evoke strong emotions.
As for whether he regrets taking on Morrissey in court, Joyce is steadfast: "I don't." The experience may have been fraught with tension, but ultimately, it allowed him to stand up for what was right. And even though rumors of a reunion still swirl around, Joyce remains skeptical – partly because of the acrimony that followed their split.
The story behind Morrissey's recent decision to sell his business interests in The Smiths is particularly puzzling, with Joyce himself being mentioned directly. Does he wish Morrissey harm? Absolutely not. Despite everything they went through, Joyce still cherishes the memories of his time with The Smiths – and the music that continues to inspire him to this day.
As for what's next, Joyce has just come out of a 21-year retirement from touring to drum for Pete Doherty. It may be a fresh start, but old rivalries never truly die. And in The Drums, we're treated to a candid look at the highs and lows of one band's wild ride – with all its beauty, drama, and unforgettable music.
. I mean, I get it, he's an icon and all that, but come on, man... 21 years out of the tour scene and now he's back? It just feels like a big middle finger to the people who loved his music for real. And what's with the business interests thing? Is he trying to cash in or something? 
It's like a real-life rockstar origin story. And the fact that he still cherishes those memories despite all the drama... that takes some serious class.
But did you know they've been selling out shows since 2010 with just 2 members? 
That's like a miracle on stage! Meanwhile, Morrissey's latest business move has got everyone wondering if he's trying to distance himself from his iconic past. 
Did you know that The Smiths' debut album sold only 12,000 copies in its first year? But by the time they went on hiatus, they'd already grossed over $20 million in revenue. 
That's what I call a wild ride! And let's not forget Mike Joyce's memoir – it's like a treasure trove of Smiths history! 
The dude's been drumming for 20+ years since his retirement and just started working with Pete Doherty again? What's next, right? 
Oh, and have you seen the chart stats on Morrissey's solo career? 
He's sold over 100 million records worldwide – that's crazy!
. It's clear he still has feelings for the music and the memories, even if it didn't work out in the end 
. And can we talk about Pete Doherty? I mean, I'm stoked that Mike got to drum for him again 
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. it's crazy to think those early days were all about experimentation & chemistry 
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. It's crazy how it all came together, from those sold-out shows at the Haçienda to the iconic recordings 
– that blend of beauty and darkness is like nothing else. And yeah, the tension between them was real 
, but it made for some crazy stories 
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, I just want to see what's next for The Drums 
– it's like a whole different era 
. Anyway, thanks for sharing Mike Joyce's story 
. And what's up with him re-emerging from the woodwork after 21 years? It's either a clever PR move or he's just trying to relive the glory days for all the wrong reasons 
Problem is, it's not exactly clear how this experience shaped the band's sound and direction. Was it all just a wild ride or was there more substance to it? I'd love to hear more about that 
. Their chemistry was definitely special, but it's clear that the tension between Morrissey and Mike ultimately got the best of them 
. Despite all the drama, though, The Drums is still a must-read for any Smiths fan - Joyce's story is both heartbreaking and inspiring 
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it sounds like morrissey is just trying to cash out on the smiths' legacy again. and as for pete doherty, dude's been playing the same guitar riff for years now 
Morrissey's songwriting is insane - it's like he has this dark magic inside him 
it's not often that you see artists looking back on their past with such nostalgia... especially after all the drama that went down 
. And can we talk about Pete Doherty for a second? 