The Smiths Members, Gear & Sound

1980s English rock band

Genre

Rock Pop New Wave Alternative rock Indie rock Indie pop Post-punk Indie folk Jangle pop Madchester Indie permanent wave dance rock uk post-punk interview

Members

Select a The Smiths band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Johnny Marr

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Modest Mouse Pretenders The The Electronic The Cribs The Motels Johnny Marr + the Healers The Pretenders Johnny Marr and Billy Duffy 7 Worlds Collide The Magnificent Six

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Andy Rourke

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

The Pretenders Freebass The Adult Net D.A.R.K. Jetlag Blitz Vega Moondog One

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Guy Pratt

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Pink Floyd Echo & the Bunnymen Roxy Music Electronic Icehouse The Pretenders Madonna Iggy Pop Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets Steel Dragon Womack & Womack

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Morrissey

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Slaughter and The Dogs Ed Banger and The Nosebleeds

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Craig Gannon

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Aztec Camera The Adult Net The Bluebells

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Mike Joyce

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Suede Public Image Ltd Buzzcocks The Adult Net Moondog One The Hoax

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Dale Hibbert

Roles:

Bassist

No gear added

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About

The Smiths are an iconic English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, renowned for their significant influence on the indie rock scene. The group was composed of Morrissey (vocals), Johnny Marr (guitar, piano), Andy Rourke (bass guitar), and Mike Joyce (drums). Known for their jangle pop sound, they combined elements of rock, post-punk, and indie pop, marking a departure from the synth-heavy music of the era. The Smiths produced a series of critically acclaimed albums and singles in the 1980s, leaving a lasting legacy in British music.

How to Sound Like The Smiths

The Smiths' sound is distinguished by bright, chiming guitar tones and melancholic, poetic lyrics. Johnny Marr's intricate guitar work often used a blend of jangly arpeggios and layered textures, creating a rich tapestry of sound that was both melodic and rhythmic. A key component of Marr's setup included the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amplifier, which provided the clean, chorus-laden sound central to the band's music. Marr also employed a Fender Stratocaster Electric Guitar, known for its sharp, distinctive tone, contributing to the band's distinctive sonic character. The rhythm section, anchored by Rourke and Joyce, delivered tight and driving bass lines with dynamic drumming, giving The Smiths a lively yet introspective aura, perfectly complementing Morrissey's unique vocal delivery.

Discography

The Smiths

1984

Meat Is Murder

1985

The Queen Is Dead

1986

Strangeways, Here We Come

1987

Rank

1988

Get the The Smiths Sound

Want to sound like The Smiths? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.