November 21, 2010

When it comes to pioneering Brit-Pop bands, you’re unlikely to find any much better than The Smiths. The quartet fronted by singer/ lyricist/ poet Steven Patrick Morrissey along with guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce released 4 full length albums, along with a slew of collections during their time together in the mid-to-late 80′s. And while fans continue to celebrate their entire catalog (along with Morrissey’s eclectic & in this writer’s humble opinion superior solo career), the average music listener is bound to know and love at least one Smiths tune, even if they don’t realize it’s a Smiths tune.

“How Soon Is Now” is most likely that song. With it’s unique delay-laced opening power chords and Morrissey’s most direct lyrics on loneliness, it’s a song that’s always instantly recognizable. While a video of The Smiths original version frequented the playlist of MTV’s 120 Minutes during the 90′s, music fans have heard (and continue to hear) various interpretations of the song to this day. It’s been covered countless times, used as the theme song to a popular television series and even re-invented by Morrissey himself in recent years. So for the latest in our series of various interpretations of a hit single, let’s have a look (and listen) to The Smith’s classic song “How Soon Is Now”. -Robg.

LOVE SPIT LOVE (CHARMED opening): Probably one of the most famous interpretations of The Smiths “How Soon Is Now” is by the band Love Spit Love, singer Richard Butler’s follow-up band to The Psychedelic Furs which he also fronted. Originally recorded to appear on the soundtrack to THE CRAFT, it was later re-used again by Warner Brothers as the opening title theme song for their hit show CHARMED starring Alyssa Milano, Holly Marie Combs and Shannen Doherty. (Doherty was later replaced by Rose McGowen on later seasons of the series.) Because of THE CRAFT and CHARMED and despite having recorded two albums with stellar singles such as “Am I Wrong” & “Fall On Tears”, “How Soon Is Now” became Love Spit Love’s biggest hit. They disbanded shortly after their second album Trysome Eatone. The Psychedelic Furs reformed soon after that.

SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY (Live): Another famous interpretation of “How Soon Is Now” appeared on Sonic Jihad, the debut album from industrial outfit SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY. The brainchild of Jason Slater and fronted by the super hot Tobey Torres, “How Soon Is Now” was one of the few standout tracks (along with their cover of The Cure’s “Lovesong”) to appear on their otherwise decent first record. (The band also covered The Beatles “She Said She Said”, which appeared as a B-side for their Vulcan single proving that they were at their best when putting their unique spin on a cover song.) The band flirted with different female singers post-Sonic Jihad, and even welcomed the return of Torres at one point, but never successfully completed their second record. Regardless, Morrissey himself had been quoted for his fondness of this version.

t.A.T.u.: I personally had never heard of this Russian pop duo until beginning research for this article, but apparently singers Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova make up one of Russia’s most popular bands ever. And what’d ya know? They also recorded a version of “How Soon Is Now”, which became a hit for the gals back in 2003. Unlike Morrissey, it sounds like these gals are using the help of some post-production audio filters to properly sing this. Here’s their take on it.

EVERCLEAR (Cover Version): While the below embedded video lists THE AFGHAN WHIGS as the band performing this particular cover, it is in actuality EVERCLEAR who recorded a version of the song sometime in the early 90′s. Can’t say I’m a particular fan of this version, but it’s worth noting here.

QUICKSAND (Cover Version): Want a heavier, more rockin’ version of “How Soon Is Now?” One appears as a hidden bonus track on post-hardcore band QUICKSAND’s album Slip. With lead singer Walter Schreifels unique singing style, this version sounds like it could very well be an original QUICKSAND song had you not already known it was a cover. Schreifels has also been known to perform it occasionally with his post-QUICKSAND band RIVAL SCHOOLS. (As a quick You Tube search will reveal.) Volume’s a bit low on this embed, so you’ll have to crank it for full effect.

The MEATMAN (The World Still Won’t Listen): From the compilation “The World Still Won’t Listen: A Tribute To The Smiths” which featured several punk rock bands covering various songs by The Smiths, here’s the “punk rock” version by THE MEATMEN. Legendary singer Tesco Vee gives us his best Morrissey in their odd interpretation. I often wondered if his take was serious or sarcastic… or maybe a touch of both? Kudos for his changing of one particular chorus lyric, which is maybe a bit more honest and to the point than the way it’s stated in the original.

HUNDRED REASONS: UK indie band HUNDRED REASONS also did a cover version of “How Soon Is Now” and of all the various interpretations, this is the one that comes the closest to sounding like the original. I particularly like the guitar work proceeded the choruses in this version. Check it out below.

PARADISE LOST: Here’s another UK band that took a crack at the song which appeared on their limited edition Say Just Words EP. Similar to the HUNDRED REASONS version in its attempt to stay true to the original, this is somewhere between that interpretation and the ones by QUICKSAND and THE MEATMEN.

MORRISSEY (Live PinkPop 2006): You’ve endured a bunch of various covers of “How Soon Is Now”, but really, who better to perform the song but the man himself who co-wrote it? Having been reluctant to perform Smiths songs for most of the late 80′s and 90′s, in the last decade, Morrissey has embraced his previous band’s catalog and has gone from occasionally doing one Smiths song for an encore to plucking several Smiths songs through out his more recent sets. And as this performance proves, the man’s still got it. Nobody can sing “How Soon Is Now” like Morrissey can.

Original SMITHS Video: The original video for “How Soon Is Now” that I remember catching on 120 Minutes on late Sunday nights.  Internet rumor has it that the girl dancing in the video is Angie Svenmarr and that she committed suicide shortly after this footage was shot. It’s one of those infamous unconfirmed Internet myths that only brings more intrigue into this video and in turn to this song.

Did we miss any “How Soon Is Now?” covers? Which one of these was your favorite of the bunch?