For a band that was only active for five years, The Smiths cast a remarkably long shadow. Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke, and Mike Joyce formed The Smiths in 1982, and released their self-titled debut in 1984. The group’s swan song, Strangeways, Here We Come, came a mere three years later. Decades later, The Smiths remain as influential and beloved as ever.
Need proof? For the last 18 years, Milwaukee has been home to its very own Smiths/Morrissey tribute act, The Salford Lads Club. (The famed English recreation club is pictured on the inner sleeve of The Smiths’ 1986 record The Queen Is Dead.) On Friday, May 2 at Mad Planet, however, the group will play its final show. “WE’LL DANCE OUR LEGS DOWN TO THE KNEES ONE LAST TIME BEFORE WE HANG UP OUR FLOWERS,” say the Lads.
Before that last hurrah, we chatted with the Lads’ very own Moz, local music legend Marc Solheim, about hanging things up, the sometimes prickly legacy of Morrissey, and final-show plans.
Milwaukee Record: First, obvious, question: After nearly 20 years, why are you packing things up now?
Marc Solheim: Twenty-twenty-five just felt like the right time to hang up our flowers. Maybe we should have waited for a nice, round number. But it just felt like the time is now. Mike, Matt, and Zach from the band have another project called Substance 101. They play the songs of Depeche Mode and New Order. They do a very nice job. John plays in one of my favorite Milwaukee bands, The Mighty Deerlick. I am very much looking forward to going to see both bands and not having to load out anything at the end of the night.
MR: Tell us about the origin of the group. What inspired you to create a Smiths/Morrissey tribute group?
MS: Our first show was in October 27, 2007 at Mad Planet. If I recall correctly, we played six or seven songs. Very quick set. We donated our pay to 1-800-SUICIDE that evening and never turned back. I think I was actually the last member of the band to join. We were looking for some sort of creative outlet and the Lads fell in quite nicely.
MR: What has it been like fronting the group for all these years?
MS: Fronting a Smiths/Morrissey tribute can be tricky, but absolutely rewarding. Being in a band with your best friends is absolutely one of the greatest things ever. We can look over at each other and know what we are thinking. I’ll miss those glances, and the audiences singing along to the songs that mean the world to all of us.
MR: With Morrissey being an on-again, off-again polarizing figure, has audience reception—and/or your own enthusiasm—changed or evolved over the years?
MS: I can say in all confidence that if someone is familiar with Morrissey or The Smiths they defiantly have an opinion and want to share it. I like to focus on the things I can agree with fully, such as animal and LGBTQ+ rights. That makes it easy. I do think the people who have supported us over the years really enjoy an evening where they can get lost in the songs and the performance. These songs have saved a lot of people from very dark times.
MR: Tell us about the final show.
MS: We will be dancing our legs down to the knees one last time on May 2. Mad Planet was the logical choice. It’s like home to us and it seemed very fitting to do the last show where it all began. Our friends in Testa Rosa will be doing a tribute to The Pretenders, and our good pal Paul H will keep people on the dance floor all night long.
A portion of the proceeds from the show will benefit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Wisconsin, a cause that is very dear to all of us. There will be a prize wheel, some very limited edition merchandise, and I promise we will be bringing out some songs that have not been played live in many years.
We hope to see all of our friends there and are very appreciative of all the love and support we have been so lucky to get over the past 18 years as a band!
Catch the final Salford Lads Club show Friday, May 2 at Mad Planet. Tickets are available in advance and at the door.
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