ENGLISH
The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester (United Kingdom) 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). Four of their albums (including three studio albums) appeared on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. They have also released several compilations, and numerous non-LP singles. The Smiths had several singles reach the UK top twenty and all four of their studio albums reached the UK top five, including one which topped the charts. They won a significant following and remain cult favourites, although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together. The band broke up in 1987 and have turned down several offers to reunite.
SPANISH
The Smiths fue una banda de rock alternativo formada en Manchester (Reino Unido) en 1982. Estaba compuesta por Morrissey (vocalista) y Johnny Marr (guitarrista), a quienes se unieron posteriormente Andy Rourke (bajista) y Mike Joyce (batería).
La banda se separó en 1987 en medio de desacuerdos entre Morrissey y Marr y desde entonces han rechazado varias ofertas para reunirse. A pesar de no tener una carrera excesivamente longeva, es considerado un grupo de culto en el panorama indie, gracias a auténticas joyas que siguen perdurando hoy en día como referente del género, por canciones como “There is a light that never goes out”, “This charming man”, “Meat is murder” o “Big mouth strikes again”. También es una banda reconocida por su apoyo activo al vegetarianismo, al respeto de los animales, a la defensa de los derechos del colectivo LGTB, así como por sus críticas duras a la política británica del momento (Margaret Thatcher) y susenfrentamientos con la familia real.