The Smiths - Mike Joyce Confirms Lost The Smiths Demo Is For Real

Former drummer Mike Joyce is urging his Twitter.com followers to check out a link to the audio, revealing it was recorded in 1983, before the group hit the studio to create its self-titled debut album.

Dubbed The Pablo Cuckoo Tape, the recording comes from an anonymous source, but Joyce confirms it's the real thing.

In a tweet, he writes, "It was recorded on a cassette player lying on the floor in the rehearsal room."

The mysterious uploader claims the nine-track demo, which features future The Smiths hits What Difference Does it Make and Hand in Glove, was recorded at a warehouse owned by the group's manager, Joe Moss, and intended for producer Troy Tate as an introduction to the band's music.

The Smiths debut album was released in 1984.