Mike Joyce

Mike Joyce, best known for being the drummer in popular band The Smiths, has just confirmed to join the judging panel of Live and Unsigned, the largest music competition in the UK for original acts.

Mike began his career in the industry when he joined punk outfit The Hoax. They played a handful of gigs in and around Manchester in the 80’s and released their first single Only The Blind Can See In The Dark. He then went on to join an Irish band, Victim, before joining The Smiths in 1982.

He has toured the world with some of the biggest names in the industry including  Sinead O'Connor and he’s played on two hit singles with Morrissey as a solo artist The Last Of The Famous International Playboys and Interesting Drug.

In 1990 Mike toured the world and recorded a single with his punk heroes "Buzzcocks" and since then he has been busy working in the industry. He’s played with Julian Cope, been on a British and American tour with Public Image Limited, collaborated on a track with Soul Diva and played on an album by Aziz with former band mate Andy Rourke.

Mike and Andy teamed up in 2007 and released Inside The Smiths, a DVD which chronicled their experiences of being in the band. Both speak highly of both Morrissey and Marr in the film and convey how special they believed The Smiths were and still are to them.

In October 2007 Joyce toured the UK playing drums for Vinny Peculiar with Bonehead on bass guitar, and in 2008 was running a successful night at The Brickhouse in Manchester called Alternative Therapy, alongside his popular radio show.

Mike now presents a show on New York’s East Village Radio and regularly presents shows on BBC 6 Music.

Why not enter Live and Unsigned and play in front of professional musicians and judges such as Mike Joyce.