#d.a.r.k.

Former Smiths Bassist Andy Rourke Dies at 59

- “My mate was one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like,” Johnny Marr says

Andy Rourke, former bassist for the Smiths, has died.

The musician died May 19 “after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer,” per a statement on his social media pages.

“Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans,” the statement said.

Rourke was 59.

“May Andy Rourke rest in peace and love,” Todd Rundgren’s Spirit of Harmony Foundation said.

Billy Bragg eulogized Rourke as “a lovely guy and an amazing bass player;” Simon Raymonde remembered him as “a fellow bassist of fine pedigree.”

Rourke played with the Smiths throughout their 1982-’87 run. He was also a member of Freebass and D.A.R.K. and recorded with former Smiths frontman Morrissey, Sinead O’Connor and the Pretenders and toured with Badly Drawn Boy.

His final appearance was in September 2022 with former Smiths bandmate Johnny Marr, who remembered “my mate (as) one of those rare people that absolutely no one doesn’t like,” in a statement on social media.

Marr said Rourke “reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player,” during their time as Smiths.

“Well done, Andy,” Marr said. “We’ll miss you, brother.”

“Best I” e “Best II”, de 1992, coletânea dupla vendida separadamente, foram os primeiros discos que ouvi da banda inglesa The Smiths. Eu era um adolescente de gosto musical estranho, cujo inglês aprendido na escola não me permitia entender muita coisa, mas lendo as letras nos encartes, eu cantava (ou, melhor dizendo, imitava o som das palavras estrangeiras) praticamente todas as 28 faixas. Ouvi…

The Smiths - The Many Faces Of The Smiths

Disc 1

01. Billy Bragg - The Boy Done Good 02. Crowded House - Don’t Stop Now 03. D.A.R.K. - Curvy 04. Billy Bragg - Shirley 05. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen In Love? 06. Crowded House - Even A Child 07. The Nosebleeds - Ain’t Bin To No Music School 08. D.A.R.K. - Steal You Away 09. Ed Banger - Kinnel Tommy 10. The Freshies - My Tape’s Gone 11. The Mothmen - Does It Matter Irene 12. The Fall - I’m Going To Spain 13. John Cooper Clarke - Psycle Sluts 14. Slaughter & The Dogs - Cranked Up Really High

Disc 2

01. The Smiths - Hand In Glove [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 02. The Smiths - The Boy With The Thorn On His Side [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 03. The Smiths - This Charming Man [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 04. The Smiths - Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 05. The Smiths - This Night Has Opened My Eyes [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 06. The Smiths - What Difference Does It Make? [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 07. The Smiths - Pretty Girls Make Graves [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 08. The Smiths - Miserable Lie [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 09. The Smiths - Reel Around The Fountain [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 10. The Smiths - Still Ill [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 11. The Smiths - Handsome Devil [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 12. The Smiths - These Things Take Time [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*] 13. The Smiths - You’ve Got Everything Now [Live At Derby Assembly Rooms] [*]

Disc 3

01. William Fitzsimmons - Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want 02. Trespassers William - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out 03. Tanya Donelly - Shoplifters Of The World Unite 04. Dala - Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Love Me 05. Mike Viola & The Section Quartet - How Soon Is Now? 06. Katy Goodman - What She Said 07. Sixpence None The Richer - I Won’t Share You 08. Joy Zipper - What Difference Does It Make? 09. Doug Martsch - Reel Around The Fountain 10. Chikita Violenta - Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others 11. Kitten - Panic 12. The Rest - Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This Before 13. Telekinesis - Sheila Take A Bow 14. The Wedding Present - Hand In Glove

Dolores O' Riordan (The Cranberries) 1971-2018

Alternative rock band Northern National has just dropped their latest project, a blissfully adventurous and emotive EP entitled D.A.R.K. There’s a certain sincerity to the soulfulness that emanates from each of the five tracks, only adding to the charming character of the band. It opens up with their latest slowed-down, brooding single, “C.H.A.R.L.I.,” and finishes with the more uptempo track “Chemical,” which features groovy instrumentals and an echoing chorus. D.A.R.K. is a creative exploration of the band’s artistry, and a confirmation of both the versatility and raw talent of the group.

Northern National has delivered a refreshing spin on today’s alternative rock, and it looks like the scope of their innovation won’t end here. The smooth, powerful vocals layered over chill beats and intricate guitar riffs make their music undeniably catching.