The Smiths 1983 demos mixtape surfaces online

March 20, 2013

UPDATE: March 20 at 3:49 p.m. EDT
The uploader has removed the file from YouTube. We are seeking an alternate stream.

ORIGINAL POST: March 20 at 11:58 a.m. EDT
Yesterday, the Smiths drummer Mike Joyce tweeted a link to the following YouTube embed, which features rare, early demos from the band. Titled The Pablo Cuckoo Tape, the 39-minute mixtape was recorded in Manchester in May, 1983, according to the video description, which you can read in full, below:

“Astonishing newly Unearthed, Very Rare Rehearsal Recording
{Awash with Unusual idiosyncrasies & early lyrics}
Recorded @ Crazy Face, 13~15 Chapel Walks, Manchester.
~
You've Got Everything Now
Accept Yourself 04:26
What Difference Does It Make 08:46
Reel Around The Fountain 12:52
These Things Take Time 19:28
I Don't Owe You Anything 22:37
Hand In Glove 28:06
Handsome Devil 31:04
Miserable Lie 34:11
~
The origins of, 'The Pablo Cuckoo Tape' as told by the original 'Source' & 'Up-loader', 'bellapintura' c/o http://www.smithstorrents.co.uk/forum….
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'In May 1983 (exact date unknown), while preparing to record their debut album, The band ran through & recorded a selection of songs at a rehearsal in band manager, Joe Moss' jeans warehouse (Crazy Face).
The cassette tape was recorded for Troy Tate in order to give him something to work with before going into the studio
I was lent the master cassette by a source close to the band who made the recording, let's call him Pablo Cuckoo in 1997 with a view of trying to put it out as a semi-official release.
It's pretty rough, but considering it was recorded on cassette with a stereo Mic pointing into the room, the quality isn't too bad.
Morrissey's vocals are a bit distorted – maybe singing too close to the mic or maybe the cassette Mic was too close to the PA but everything else is surprisingly clear.
There is some tape flutter at various points'.
~
Free & Safe HQ lossless audio download available at the ever excellent Smiths Torrents http://www.smithstorrents.co.uk/forum… Courtesy of the very generous bellapintura.
~
The Moz & Joe Moss picture is sourced from, The Arcane Old Wardrobe http://foreverill.com/gallery/details… A Morrissey & The Smiths Photo cornucopia lovingly maintained by the indispensable Comtesse DeSpair”

A fan of The Smiths? An early recording you've probably never heard before. youtube.com/watch?v=39qb3Q…

— Mike Joyce (@mikejoycedrums) March 19, 2013