Rock in Detroit’s
November 2024
Band of the Month:
THE SMITHS UNITED
Regularly selling out such venues as The Magic Bag and The Cadieux Cafe, The Smiths United is one of the leading rock tribute acts in Southeast Michigan. Rock in Detroit recently spoke to their leader and lead vocalist, Christopher George. Christopher assumes the role of the legendary Morrissey when The Smiths United takes the stage.
ROCK IN DETROIT: How about giving us a thumbnail sketch of the history the band. How long have you been together, how has the line-up changed, what prior bands have you and your bandmates been in, how many times have you seen The Smith, etc.?
CHRISTOPHER: It all started in the fall of 2009. I answered an ad on Craig’s List for a band doing Depeche Mode and Smiths/Morrissey covers. We decided that The Smiths route was more conducive to our strengths and we lacked the tech for DM. We had the original lineup of the band going for 7-8 years then hit a point where we all kind of knew that it was time to make some changes. So, the original lineup was gone and we basically had to go from there. We started from the ground up again. It took a little while to get it back up and running but it all worked out. Most of the guys in this lineup have performed in original projects together. Unfortunately I never got to see The Smiths but have seen Morrissey several times. Other guys have seen Marr a few times.
ROCK IN DETROIT: So why The Smiths?
CHRISTOPHER: It was just what seemed to suit my voice the best and what we agreed on. It’s all in my vocal range and I loved The Smiths since the ‘80s. I never thought I’d be in a tribute band but here I am…..still doing it. I always had a respect for Morrissey’s lyrical content and the band’s musicianship.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Why do you think The Smiths are still so popular?
CHRISTOPHER: That’s a tough one. I honestly think the diversity in the styles of music they attempted. There’s some stuff that has a more punk rock edge to it and of course there’s the jangly guitars. They had a great way of changing it up and keeping it original. I just think the song writing was interesting, dynamic and the lyrics are excellent. Morrissey has always had a gift for mixing the poetic with his own sense of humor. I just think the words strike a chord with a lot of people along with great melodies and hooks. It’s just good music overall. It’s timeless and resonates with older and younger audiences. My kids listen to The Smiths. People bring their kids to our shows now. I just think their music transcends being some straight up retro thing because it was so well done.
ROCK IN DETROIT: When you perform, how much of it is you and how much of it is Morrissey?
CHRISTOPHER: I think there’s a fine line on that one. Maybe 50/50. It’s a bit of playing dress up and putting on the best show possible. Of course, there’s the entire mimicking nature of being in a tribute band but I also try to introduce my own personality into the shows. Morrissey is a huge persona, so trying to take that up is a major task and some of it I wouldn’t even want to attempt to broach.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Have you ever been tempted to form a band doing original material?
CHRISTOPHER: That was my entire musical life from early on until just a few years ago. I’ve been in several original bands and have recorded numerous full length albums since the ‘90s. It’s a hard task trying to be an original band especially as we get older, so now’s the time just to have fun and give audiences the music they really want to hear. That’s the best part of the tribute thing. People know what to expect from us, a bit of nostalgia and a great live performance.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Do you ever have fantasies of your phone ringing and being asked to play in a Smith reunion tour since Morrissey won’t–or other similar fantasies?
CHRISTOPHER: Nah. Even if that happened in some mystical world, that wouldn’t entice me. Would be cool. But I can’t ever see that happening or imagine that happening. My response to a reunion would be “No Rourke. No Smiths”. I think they had several chances to do an actual reunion. Someone’s ego didn’t let it happen. And that is kinda sad.
ROCK IN DETROIT: What do you think of Morrissey’s politics, then and now? Do they matter? Do you think meat is murder?
CHRISTOPHER: I think the man has changed. I think as he’s gotten older, he’s potentially lost the plot. I won’t be disrespectful because everyone has their own beliefs, but yes they matter. I think he’s made some horrible choices and has been on the bad side of things a few too many times in recent years. I don’t think meat is murder. But I do think people can decide that for themselves without someone having to tell them what they need to believe or being force fed a narrative they don’t agree with.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Can you compare the market for tribute bands and original bands? All things equal, is it harder or easier to get a gig as a tribute act?
CHRISTOPHER: If you’re a good tribute band that has the ambition to push hard and market properly, it is definitely easier to make money or develop a fan base easier than with an original band. After all, the audience is already there and you’re just giving them what they want to hear. I think it’s definitely easier to get shows as a tribute especially if you can put together a good lineup. That’s one thing I’ve always been passionate about and proud of. I always try to mix up our shows with different acts that deliver quality. I’d say 95 percent of the bands we’ve played with have been great with a couple missteps along the way in the beginning of putting bills together.
ROCK IN DETROIT: If you had to do a tribute to a rock band other than The Smiths, who would it be?
CHRISTOPHER: Ha-ha-ha. Polar opposite band. INXS. 100 percent.
ROCK IN DETROIT: Any upcoming local shows you’d like people to know about?
CHRISTOPHER: We’re doing our annual Thanksgiving Eve event at the Magic Bag this month with Used Cars and Hynde Sight . . . The Cars and Pretenders acts.
ROCK IN DETROIT: What does the future hold for The Smiths United?
CHRISTOPHER: Well, I think more fun shows and just doing our thing. We’re gonna be coming up on year 15 of this and maybe we can even make it to 20 years. Who knows? As long as it’s fun and people still enjoy it, we’ll probably keep doing our thing.
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