Thanks for clearing that up. Reminds us all why we keep you around.
I've been seeing this terminology used in multiple threads recently -- do songs like "It's Not Your Birthday Anymore," "You Were Good In Your Time," "When Last I Spoke to Carol," "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris," and "Mama Lay Softly on the Riverbed" fall under the category of pub rock to you?
I always think this logic is sort of a backhand to the talented amongst free-agent independent musicians. I've certainly heard bassists and drummers BETTER than Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce. And essentially, we're talking about musicians who would still have to work with the original melodies that Marr came up with -- neither Rourke nor Joyce were catalysts for a Smiths song by any degree. Yes, they added to the Smiths sound, but working with Marr's melodies, I'm sure I could easily find you a bassist and a drummer who could offer just as similar a contribution to the Smiths sound as Rourke and Joyce. Don't underestimate people who aren't in big-name bands or who aren't hugely successful -- after all, look at Marr with the Cribs; just because they had him in their band doesn't mean that they rose to a level anywhere close to that of the Smiths. I am friends with quite a many musicians who could be hugely successful if they wanted the stigma that went along with it -- in fact they turn DOWN offers to join and tour with bands because that lifestyle isn't rewarding to them.
Again, we're talking about people who would have to work with and add to Marr's melodies. That being said, find an adept enough bassist and they'll deliver something similar to or better than what Rourke came up with. Andy Rourke is by no means the best bassist in pop/rock history. And as for the drumming, Joyce's work is pretty touch-and-go. They wouldn't have had a COMPLETELY different sound because Marr was still in charge of writing the melodies, which the other two had to work with -- that means that in pretty much every case there is a set key and rhythm before Rourke and Joyce even get involved, and there is only so much even a talented bassist and drummer can do with those keys and rhythms.