Hi I'm Graham and I'm the singer of The Smyths. I used to be a shy boy before I became This Charming Man. If there's anyone with a Swallow on the neck tell me how it came to be there and why. And may I ask...are there any lovelier fans in the world than those of The Smiths? After travelling North and South I can't believe there are. Have you ever met a Smiths fan that you didn't like? If so, tell us why...

Hi Graham,
I was at the gig in Hartlepool on Saturday - brilliant night, brought along 3 lads who aren't the biggest Smiths/Morrissey fans in the world, but they all enjoyed it. Hope you're passing this way again soon.

Hello Tanzy,
Thanks for writing in. Yes, we're planning a return trip. What's The Studio in Hartlepool like? We've been approached by them and I'd like to know if, as a music fan, you think that would be better for us than The Spot.
Thanks, Graham.

Hi Graham.
apologies, but I've no idea what the Studio is like - I am from Sunderland and travelled down to the Spot for the gig, but that's the only time I've been out on the night in the 'Pool. Any chance of the band coming to Sunderland at all? I was collared for the driving on Saturday and I could have murdered a beer or three!

I'll go on the Hartlepool United football fan's messageboard, there'll probably be someone on there who will know what the Studio is like and I'll post it when I find out.

Hi Tanzy,
We're very keen to play Sunderland. After the gig on Saturday we went back to Sunderland and re-visited Ku Club (Andy, our Johnny Marr is a born and bred Macham). Now that would be a fun place to play. Thanks for the bit about the Hartlepool FC message board - great idea. I look forward to seeing what occurs from your plundering there. Thanks for travelling to the gig and how nice of you to drive your friends!
We're looking at Newcastle too. As is Michael Owen.

Hi again Graham,
had problems getting on to the HUFC message board, but got these 3 replies on the Sunderland one, re the Studio.

Good intimate venue. Popular with bands as they always seem to want to return and a good bookings team.



Its a decent place,hassle free,good stage,decent priced bar,friendly inside,etc.



Small but a cracking venue. Maybe holds a couple of hundred, really good raised stage. Beer canny and not expensive, decent music played between bands.

hope that helps!
Tanzy

Hi there!

I was at the Hartlepool gig (Denim jacket with Moz on the back!) was a fantastic night, you guys are brilliant! hope you come back this way sooneveryone enjoyed thereselves that night!

The studio in Hartlepool is a good venue, very lively audience in there.

Speak soon.


Sean

Tanzy and This Charming Man,

Thanks for your messages (Tanzy, thank you for your industrious search). Sounds good - we'll back in Hartlepool for sure - the Studio sounds like a great place for our return.
Graham

Hi Graham,
I'm Sarah you've met me before at many of your gigs, you even had a wee chat with me in the bar before the Dublin Castle gig in Camden. Just to let you know that as a poor teacher I can't afford to bring my the Smyths to my birthday so I'm bringing my birthday to the Smyths on October 7th.
Looking forward to a top night
:D

Hi Sarah,
Thanks for your message. We're looking forward to our "Come back to Camden". It's amazing how many people bring their birthday to us... we really must add a certain song to the set for that purpose. Nonetheless, grab me before the show and remind me and I'll provide a solo rendition for you in between two songs in the set. That is, unless, you're shy. Shyness is nice, but...

Graham

Graham,
a special solo rendition for my birthday would be lovely. Luckily I'm not shy, but if there's something you want to try....

Sarah

hi my this is emma your little groupie for the night x thanx for the email from andy, i really enjoyed the gig and everything. A big hi to all of the band. I start uni next week and shall enquire about getting you a gig in manour quay. :D

Hi Graham. Cant wait till you all come back to hartlepool. My daughter went into labour on the friday and had olivia maye on the saturday, so i missed your gig. wont miss the next one for the world. The first time i went to see the smiths was 23rd march 1985 at middlesborough. 11 days later i gave birth to my daughter. I was convinced i was having a boy and was going to call the baby gary, but vowed if i went into labour that night i was going to call him johnny. Didn't go into labour, and didn't have a boy.
Did you have a good night at sunderland. My daughters friend emma took you all clubbing.
Look forward to seeing you all

Lynne

By the way graham. The studio will be much better for you than the spot. It's much bigger.

Hi Lynne,

Congratulations on the arrival of Olivia Maye.

Thanks for the tip re the Studio; we'll be coming back soon and from the feedback I've got The Studio will be the place.

Graham

Cheers Graham. I'll definitely be at the next gig. Probably be the oldest there. Becoming a nana and 40 within a month of each other is a bit scarey. So surely you'll take pity on me and "dedicate there is a light that never goes out" for me at the next gig. Make an old woman and nana very happy. (hehe) ;)

out of curiosity sarahmoz:
where do you teach?
and will there be other watfordians (a real noun??) at the birthday treat on the 7th?

"who put the w in watford"

Hi Graham and the boys,
top night in Camden and thank you for the rendition of "Unhappy Birthday" for me, and the kisses (Simon ;) ).
It makes being 30 a little bit easier to handle.
My friends who aren't Smiths fans enjoyed it too.

Sarah x

hi my names craig ill be going to my first gig in nuneaton is their anyone going to the gig who fancys meeting up for a drink on the night as i could do with some smith related friends

Hey Craig, did you get to the gig? And if so what did you think? I was hoping to get to Nuneaton but couldn't in the end but I would have been up for a drink!
I caught the guys in Camden back in June, had a cracking good night & will def make sure I see them again, hopefuly Peterborough.
B)
Sally