The Smirks were an

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

new wave band from

Manchester Manchester () is a city in Greater Manchester, England. It had a population of 552,000 in 2021. It is bordered by the Cheshire Plain to the south, the Pennines to the north and east, and the neighbouring city of Salford to the west. The t ...

who played from the late 1970s to the early 1980s. Although they failed to meet with commercial success, they built a small but loyal base of fans. They are remembered mostly for a quirky vocal style and for a curious campaign ''Smirks against Travolta'', simultaneously a homage and a

parody A parody, also known as a spoof, a satire, a send-up, a take-off, a lampoon, a play on (something), or a caricature, is a creative work designed to imitate, comment on, and/or mock its subject by means of satiric or ironic imitation. Often its sub ...

of ''

Rock Against Racism Rock Against Racism (RAR) was a political and cultural movement which emerged in 1976 in reaction to a rise in racist attacks on the streets of the United Kingdom and increasing support for the far-right National Front at the ballot box. Betwe ...

''. The Smirks session for the

John Peel John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey (DJ) and radio presenter. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly fr ...

show was recorded on 19 April 1978 and broadcast a week later. Despite being more of the new wave/power pop genre, they did support Killing Joke and Joy Division at the ULU gig in London, 1980. Their acrimonious dispute with

Beserkley Records Beserkley Records was an American independent record label based in Berkeley, California, from 1973 to 1984. Beserkley is usually regarded as a power pop and rock and roll label. During the 1970s, the label released albums by Earth Quake, Gre ...

, for whom they recorded an album that was never released, is also noteworthy and was the subject of a

BBC Radio 4 BBC Radio 4 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC that replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. It broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history from the BBC' ...

documentary. The album was finally due to be released in October 2007, but was delayed by the sale of Sanctuary Records to Universal Music and is still awaiting release.

Parody

''Smirks against Travolta'' was only one example of the band's use of parody, though the campaign had a serious side: keeping live music venues alive against the increasing incidence of discos with only recorded music. Their slogan ''The most fun you can have with your shoes on'' was a parody of Beserkley's ''The most fun you can have with your clothes on'', while after Beserkley, their choice of ''Smirksong'' as a label name was a parody of

Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group comprised vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are ci ...

's '' Swan Song Records'', while the ''

DHSS The Department of Health and Social Security (commonly known as the DHSS) was a ministry of the British government in existence for twenty years from 1968 until 1988, and was headed by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Services. Hi ...

'' prefix to their own label's release suggested the Government department dealing with the unemployed, as the band no longer had a contract.

Other projects

Ian Morris and Mike Doherty both played on the demos for the

Jilted John ''Jilted'' is the past tense of jilt Jilt or may refer to: * Jilț, a tributary of the river Jiu in Romania * Jilț Coal Mine, an open-pit mine in Romania * ''The Jilt'', a 1922 American drama film directed by Irving Cummings * A B-girl (archa ...

single. Ian Morris and Simon Milner later released a single under the pseudonym ''Captain Mog and Private Sigh''. Mike Doherty went on to play for

The Freshies The Freshies are an English punk rock band, formed in Manchester, England in 1978. The band was founded by singer-songwriter and comedian Chris Sievey, whose best-known creation – comedy character Frank Sidebottom – originated as a mascot fo ...

. Simon formed ''The Bernhardts'', a predecessor to The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble, who play 1930's and 1940s Swing and Latin Music. Ian Morris, now presents a show on ALL FM called ''Standing in the Shadows of Lev''. Neil Fitzpatrick and Simon Milner were part of the group

Distant Cousins Distant Cousins were an English band from Manchester. They are grouped within the Madchester scene, though the music was a blend of soul and pop. The group consisted of Doreen Edwards (vocals), Neil Fitzpatrick (ex- Smirks, guitar/sax), and "Sn ...

, who released two albums with Doreen Edwards.

Discography

*1978: 7" single "OK - UK" / "Streets" (Beserkley Records BZZ 17) *1978: 7" single "Rosemary"/ "Up Eh Up" (Beserkley Records BZZ 23) *1978: album ''Andrew Jasper presents The Smirks'' (Beserkley Records BSERK 19) (unreleased) *1978: 7" EP "American Patriots" / "Angry With Myself" / "Penetration" (Smirksong Records DHSS 01) *1979: 7" single "To You" / "New Music" (Smirksong Records DHSS 02) *1979: 7" single "Joe And His Mates" / "She's Out Of Love" (unreleased)

References

External links

The Smirks website

The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble

All FM

John Peel session
{{DEFAULTSORT:Smirks English punk rock groups Musical groups from Manchester English new wave musical groups Musical groups established in 1977 Musical groups disestablished in 1980