The Smyths
Written on Sat 11th Feb


Rating
5
out of 5


Written by Kelly Cowley

Graham - vocals
Andy - guitar
Simon - bass
Tom - drums
Chris - accoustic guitar

Saving this evening’s tribute night (after ‘The Other Smiths Tribute’ cancelled last week) are ‘The Smyths’. Arriving in a haze of smoke and orchestral music, they are immersed in their characters from the word go. Kicking off with ‘The Queen is Dead’ and ‘This Charming Man’ it is clear that we've got very lucky with these guys. They offer an authentic and thoroughly entertaining tribute to the angst-ridden 80’s pop rockers, which holds the audience’s attention right through the 1 hour and 40 minutes they perform. The musicians in the band don’t draw attention to themselves in the sense that their playing is so smooth and flawless the listener doesn’t even need to consider it. They seem pretty content to allow Graham to hold the spot light with his sensational impersonation of Morrissey.
Sporting the quiff, the specks and a suit that becomes more dishevelled as the set progresses, Graham looks the part, but what is more astonishing is how expertly he captures Morrissey’s vocals and mannerisms. He brings exactly the right measure melodrama and sardonic humour to the lyrics of songs such as ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ and ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’, his voice shifting masterfully from droll baritone to shrill high notes. At the same time, he is constantly moving and gesturing; often seeming on the verge of a swoon as he emotively throws his hands out to the crowd and then sweeps them over his brow. Many of their songs do in fact end with the singer falling to his knees or collapsing onto his back. Graham is a first-rate showman, bantering with the crowd between each song and encouraging them to loosen up and dance. At one point he sings a Smiths style ‘Unhappy Birthday’ to a young girl who is celebrating her 18th.
They play on till way past midnight, but the crowd still calls them back for encores. The Smyths close with great sing-along songs ‘There is Light’ and ‘Big Mouth Strikes Again’ and leave to a clamorous round of applause. After their stellar performance, Debees certainly won’t be bothering with any ‘other’ Smiths tribute bands in the future – we have found the cream of the crop.