Andrew Lynch writes:

I live in L.A. and I've heard there's a string quartet called The Section who will be putting out string quartet tribute to The Smiths next month.

Apparently, even Johnny Marr is excited about it.

Thought you might like to know. The arranger guy is at http://www.ericgorfain.com.
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Other string quartet tributes at Vitamin Records.

Update: 02/19 23:29 GMT: The tribute is on the Vitamin Records site:

The String Quartet Tribute to The Smiths (CD 8439)


Arranged and performed with creative intensity and verve, The String Quartet Tribute to The Smiths perfectly captures the mood set by the crooning vocals of Morrissey and the melodic genius of guitarist Johnny Marr. The Section, one of America’s finest string quartets, perform classics such as "This Charming Man" and "How Soon Is Now," creating a dark and dramatic album of true harmonic beauty. The Smiths would be proud.

Update: 02/20 04:25 GMT: Set list and sound clips added to the Vitamin site:

1. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me
2. Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now
3. That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore
4. How Soon Is Now
5. William, It Was Really Nothing
6. Book To The Old House
7. There Is A Light That Never Goes
8. This Charming Man
9. Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want
10. Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
11. Not This Time *original comp. inspired by the music of The Smiths

Anonymous writes:

Bay Area pop band Belle Da Gama have made their cover of "Shoplifters of the World Unite" available for download as part of their new "internet single" series. The single, and accompanying artwork, can be downloaded at www.belledagama.com.

Belle Da Gama have a long history of performing Smiths and Morrissey songs, and will probably be performing "Shoplifters..." at their upcoming shows with fellow Smiths/Morrissey loving band, Statuesque.

WilliamMozzChick writes:

On Feb.6,2003 at Irving Plaza,NYC, I went to a The Used concert with Finch and one of the opening bands was "My chemical Romance".The lead singer said, "We're going to do a Morrissey cover-it's a rare B-side." They launched into a crazy , heavy version of "Jack The Ripper." The words were spilling out too fast and I was the only idiot screaming "Crash into my arms." I was the only one jumping up and down the whole time for the duration of the song. The lead singer pointed at me and my Morrissey shirt. The whole concert just melted into a fuzz because nothing can top off a Morrissey cover. To find out more about My Chemical Romance, go to:http://www.mychemicalromance.com/. I didn't dig their music much, but the Mozz cover was way cool!!

Spineless Swine writes:

'This Charming Man' has been listed in Q magazine's list of "100 songs that changed the world". Although it was a paltry and rather disappointing 76th postion, I thought it was worth a mention.
The top 10 were:
1. that's allright - Elvis
2. I wanna hold your hand - the Beatles
3. God save the queen - Sex Pistols
4. Rapper's delight - Sugar Hill Gang
5. Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana
6. Strange Fruit - Billie Holiday
7. Like a rolling stone - Bob Dylan
8. Walk this way - Run DMC
9. Blue Monday - New Order
10. Do they know it's christmas - Band Aid

An anonymous person writes:

On the ninth of february, swedish singer-songwriter Christian Kjellvander covered Smiths classic "Hand in glove" on swedish television show "Stereo". Kjellvander performed the song down-tempoed and acoustic together with Danish singer Lise Westsynthius.

jdollars writes:

Since it's been kind of slow on the board, I thought I'd send in this little snippet from around Christmas... Dec. 28th indie darlings Jetenderpaul played a last minute, intimate gig at the Cup and Saucer in Kansas City, MO. I was lucky enough to be there, and am damn glad I was, as most of the set were covers! Echo and the Bunnymen, "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure and then, as a finale, they tore into an unbelievably killer version of Morrissey's "Last of the Famous International Playboys," complete with mic cord whipping courtesy of Randall Stephens. It was a great night. Wish you coulda been there...

joshtree writes:

That's what I found on Flea's tour diary (posted under the subject 'morrisey'smarr') ...

"I learned how to play 'Reel Around the Fountain' by the Smiths today. I love that song."

Ok, it's not that important. But they should have played on the concert. It would have been better then all their new stuff.
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• Related item: Flea likes The Smiths - Apr. 2, 2002

RichardO writes:

Imagine my surprise as I flicked through my copy of Legal Week to see this item which particularly caught my eye, not that I'm convinced by the resemblance (or by Legal Week's spelling of Morrissey!)

Separated at Birth - Legal Week (Feb. 19)

An anonymous person writes:

These Charming Men have some forthcoming Irish and US Dates - Hurrah!

February 22nd - Temple Bar Music Centre, Dublin
March 6th - Maynooth College, Kildare

April 12th & 13th - The Palace, Los Angeles (Annual Smiths Convention)