The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce says Morrissey was like a 'caged animal' in band's early days
'He stalked up and down, back and forth, at the edge of the room like some pasty, skinny caged animal...' Mike Joyce remembers Smiths bandmate Morrissey.
Mike Joyce has opened up about his early days in The Smiths, describing frontman Morrissey as "weird" and “complex", recalling the intense, often awkward beginnings of the indie band.
Mike, 62, joined The Smiths as their drummer in 1982 alongside singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr and bassist Andy Rourke, and the group released some of the most importance and revered albums of the decade until their split five years later.
The musician recalls Johnny being a natural guitarist, whereas Morrissey - full name Steven Patrick Morrissey - had a "weird" energy, despite being a talented singer and lyricist.
He told The Times: “Johnny looked fantastic. Intimidatingly so. Johnny seemed like he’d been a guitarist since he was born. I still don’t think I’ve ever come across anyone who suited a guitar slung over his shoulder like that kid did in 1982.
“Steven barely acknowledged my presence. He stalked up and down, back and forth, at the edge of the room like some pasty, skinny caged animal in a long trench coat, not saying a word.
“He looked up every now and again but as soon as I tried to make eye contact or shot a glance in his direction he would look down at the floor. Yep, weird.”
Joyce admitted there was little connection between the pair in the early days, with the bond only deepening after the band achieved success.
He said: “We just didn’t have that connection. I was the drummer; he was the singer. That’s it. Maybe Morrissey just felt more comfortable in my presence, maybe just a bit more tolerant of our differences.”
The drummer also recalled the moment Morrissey reinvented himself, shedding his first name as the band’s identity solidified.
He said: “During a lull in conversation, Steve told us, ‘I don’t want any of you to call me Steven any more.’ He paused and looked at each of us, then continued, ‘From now on I just want to be called Morrissey.’”
Joyce later became embroiled in a legal battle with Morrissey and Marr over royalties, a case he eventually won. Despite years of silence between them, he reflected on Morrissey’s behaviour with empathy.
Joyce said: “When Morrissey couldn’t tell someone difficult news, it wasn’t out of laziness or arrogance. I just think he genuinely couldn’t do it.
"To call Morrissey complex is an understatement. Yet he remains one of our truly great singers. There is a purity to his creative vision that is unparalleled.”
