The Smirks
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Defunct | 1980 |
| Headquarters | Manchester , England |
| Products | New wave and power pop music |
| Website | www |
The Smirks were a Manchester-based English new wave ensemble active from the late 1970s through the early 1980s. Although they did not attain mainstream commercial recognition, they developed a dedicated following. Their distinctive and eccentric vocal delivery brought them notice, particularly through the Smirks against Travolta initiative—a satirical tribute to Rock Against Racism—which also advocated for live music venues as an alternative to discos. The band recorded a session for John Peel on 19 April 1978, which was broadcast the following week.
Musically rooted in new wave and power pop, The Smirks opened for groups such as Killing Joke and Joy Division during a 1980 performance at London’s University of London Union (ULU). A notable conflict with Beserkley Records, involving an album that was never released, attracted media coverage including a feature on BBC Radio 4. Although the album was slated for release in October 2007, this was postponed due to Sanctuary Records’ acquisition by Universal Music and remains unreleased.
Parody
Beyond the Smirks against Travolta campaign—which sought to defend live music venues amid the disco surge—the band frequently employed parody in their branding. Their catchphrase, The most fun you can have with your shoes on, cleverly mimicked Beserkley Records’ slogan, The most fun you can have with your clothes on. The name of their own label, Smirksong, was a playful nod to Led Zeppelin’s Swan Song Records. Additionally, the prefix DHSS used on some releases referenced the UK Department of Health and Social Security, highlighting their unsigned status at the time.
Other projects
Ian Morris and Mike Doherty participated in producing demos for the Jilted John single. Morris collaborated with Simon Milner to issue a single under the moniker Captain Mog and Private Sigh. Doherty later became a member of The Freshies. Simon Milner went on to establish The Bernhardts, which evolved into The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble—specialists in swing and Latin styles from the 1930s and 1940s. Ian Morris currently hosts a program called Standing in the Shadows of Lev on ALL FM. Neil Fitzpatrick and Milner were part of Distant Cousins, who released two albums featuring vocalist 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 Jaspan presents The Smirks (Beserkley Records BSERK 19) (unreleased)
- 1979: 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)