from yesterday
On this day three years ago (24 January 2018) Mark E Smith passed away.
Mark was the lead singer, lyricist and only constant member of The Fall. He formed the band with Martin Beddington (aka Martin Bramah) who he met around 1974 at rock club Waves in Danzig Place - which is the origin of The Electric Circus - and Tony Friel who was dating his younger sister Barbara. They were inspired to make their own music after attending the Sex Pistols 1st Manchester gig on 4th June 1976 at Lesser Free Trade Hall; not to be confused with the 2nd appearance 20th July 1976 where they joined in a fight!
By the time they attended both the 3rd & 4th Sex Pistols appearances, at The Electric Circus in December 1976, The Fall (then called The Outsiders) had existed as a band for a few months. They rehearsed in an attic, drummer-less, hitting a metal tray with a wooden spoon! Little did they probably realise then that 10 months later they would, themselves, be appearing at The Electric Circus while being recorded by major record label Virgin Records.
Since 1973, a key influence on Mark was his feminist girlfriend Una Baines who later joined the band (sometime between 24 May and 3rd June 1977). Like the outspoken Una, Mark persevered through a tough period of his adolescence at school (‘Strand Grammar School For Boys’) for being the odd one out.
Despite also later on undergoing innumerable pressures, difficulties, demands, adversity, expectations and criticism placed on him (maybe leading him to destroy some of the bands commercial success) - he still managed, on the whole, to hold things together for over 40 years.
Speaking of a 40 year timespan, the band recorded demos in 2017 for a final album which is yet to be completed and released as is ironically, their original unreleased version of ‘Frightened’ from their very first session in 1977 - funded and by Buzzcocks manager Richard Boon who then searched for a record deal.
The Fall’s line-up included over 60 musicians who should be recognised for their support of Mark. According to Ed Blaney, Mark ‘loved all his members’ and was about to arrange a 40th anniversary reunion with them before he sadly passed away.
His unfiltered strength, perseverance, wisdom, individuality and single mindedness remain an inspiration or comfort for others who might have been overlooked or may have led similar lives / experiences to him. Many struggle against adversity, belittlement, exploitation, lies, plagiarism, corruption brought on by unwitting groups or individuals they’re expected to look up to. Nothing sums up the socially conditioned human social condition better than ‘Dog Is Life’. Mark only liked cats!
Such adversities etc. may or may not have directly / indirectly shortened his life. Owing to the truth he gave to others, they certainly refuse to allow him the official recognition he and many others deserve. Such as having a large prominently placed statue!
But Mark didn’t see the need for such things nor to become miserable from letting life get to him. Let’s make sure we remember that lesson in our own lives.
Mark Edward Smith (5th March 1957 - 24th January 2018)
Below: A young 20 year old Mark performing at The Electric Circus 2.10.77. (Photo by Kevin Cummins).