The Smiths: The Early Years
by Paul Slattery (Photographer)

Snap a vulgar picture

Slattery’s photos of The Smiths’ early years only just cover a year-and-a-half, running from May 1983 up until December 1984. Amazingly, they never look like the rough beginnings of a fledgling indie band. The Smiths landed with their image fully-formed, and even the earliest shots reveal a band needing little massaging. There isn’t much narrative, just the continual joy of seeing an exceptionally photogenic band move from Manchester to London to Paris. Even in grimy outdoor shots from Manchester Central Station, Morrissey, Marr, Joyce and Rourke shine with genuine, seemingly effortless coolness with an edge, with or without the dandelions. It’s a balance that most indie bands have tried and failed to capture ever since. As time passes, they do look a little more like a rock band. It’s testament to The Smiths’ self belief that, before even their second album was released, they could be mistaken for being as big as The Police’s stadium heyday, prowling stages even as they’re playing Paris’ Parc Des Expositions. And let’s not forget Slattery, of course, whose camerawork provided such a fascinating collection from such a short space of time. Most other bands would struggle to make their entire career look this good for 158 pages.

ISBN 9781846098581

Reviewed by Jason Draper
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