The Smiths. The Stone Roses. James.

saw morrissey in the snl studio in nyc years ago....even the cast was freaking out.

This thread makes me feel like home...if any of you want to spin some tunes, count me in.

When I got my first turntable, one of my first quests was to obtain all Guadalcanal Diary releases on vinyl. Then the Trip Shakespeare catalog. For the Smiths, I have Hatful of Hollow on vinyl, but all the rest (save Rank) on CD. Girl Afraid is probably my favorite. The Stone Roses first release is great. After a few drinks, I perform a great Suadehead. The Mighty Lemondrops remind me of a crush I had on this girl that went to Millard South High School in Omaha (However, it's funny I can't remember her name). Anyone spinnin' Joy Division? You really can't beat R.E.M.'s first 3 releases - Chronic Town, Murmur, and Reckoning. Steve Albini's work on "Surfer Rosa" by the Pixies is good stuff. I can't get enough Sisters of Mercy. Tell me about the vocals on "Flood II". The production for that track is phenominal. The Feelies "Only Life" is a favorite, too. Seventeen Seconds by the Cure is SOOOO underrated. How about early INXS (Shabooh Shoobah, The Swing)? I've got 2 Housemartins LPs. Peter Murphy? I could go on.

Let me guess...You all stayed up late on Sunday nights watching 120 Minutes on MTV back in the day?

I agree, this is a lot of the stuff I was listening to back in high school in the 80s--though I think James went downhill after the first few singles, and though the Stone Roses weren't cool enough for me at the time they were on the radio...though I've since picked up the first LP. I have a lovely pink and purple swirled vinyl German-issue 12" of "William, It Was Really Nothing" b/w "How Soon Is Now?" that I've been lugging around for more than 20 years now.

I assume those of you who are big Smiths fans also like Orange Juice, the early 80s Scottish band who recently had some early recordings reissued (CD only, I think) on Domino? If not, that CD or the album "You Can't Hide Your Love Forever" are well worth getting. Also, if you like the Smiths, you could do worse than check out a new band called Voxtrot, who take the Smiths-isms even farther than Belle & Sebastian. Their recordings are far from hi-fi, especially the first 7", but the music is great.

I heard a rumor today on a local radio station that the Smith's might re-unite.

I just recently watched a live dvd of the original Stone Roses line-up...and I had to ask myself...is this the same band that recorded that remarkable debut? I heard stories that Ian Brown was flat live...and yes...I can confirm this and more...he cant sing! It is truly painful...however he(or whoever is singing) on the debut sounds pretty cool...as for Brit bands of this era here are 2 more:

The Wedding Present
Pales Saints...