Pitchfork

Now that Morrissey's mounted a wildly successful solo career and Johnny Marr's overcome a few hiccups to score a welcome spot in Modest Mouse, what are the remaining two ex-members of the Smiths to do? Something tells us Freebass is not the answer.

Instead, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce-- once the defunct Smiths' rhythm section-- have contributed extensively to the forthcoming documentary Inside the Smiths, due on DVD July 16 via Tib Street Films. According to the press release, "this is the first ever documentary about The Smiths to be released on DVD." Guess they forgot about this unauthorized one.

Directed and produced by Rourke's and Joyce's friend, Manchester-based bar proprietor Stephen Petricco, Inside the Smiths attempts to delve into just that-- life from the inside of the legendary Manchester act, from the perspectives of Joyce and Rourke. Joining in on the anecdotal fun are the Fall's Mark E. Smith, New Order's Peter Hook, Buzzcocks' Pete Shelley, Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson and Nick Hodgson, and Ordinary Boys singer/UK reality TV star Samuel Preston.

If the trailer and press release are any indication, we're in for a wild, candid tale of drugs and debauchery, highs and lows, startling revelations-- and some wacky, fast-motion tracking shots of graveyards and flying bass guitars.

Check it out July 16, or catch either a pre-screening July 15 at Petricco's TV21 in Manchester or a London screening July 18 at the Fopp store on Tottenham Court Road.