In what seems like the inverse of what has been happening lately, fans of The Smiths and Morrissey fans got to hear some of their songs live on stage. The comedy group The State came together at SF SketchFest to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their film Wet Hot American Summer. Part of that celebration included a performance by Death Cab for Cutie‘s Ben Gibbard with The Smiths tribute band the Sweet and Tender Hooligans. (Also joining with performances of their own were comedians Ana Gasteyer, Tony Hale and Natasha Leggero and musician Jane Wiedlin from the Go-Go’s.)
Gibbard chose to sing The Smiths’ “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” and “The Boy with a Thorn in His Side,” and also threw in the Morrissey solo song, “The Last of the Famous International Playboys.” The performance of “Playboys” and the soundcheck of “Boy with a Thorn” are below.
Earlier in the day, Gibbard and his Death Cab bandmates signed with an indie record label after 21 years on Atlantic Records and announced an upcoming summer tour. Meanwhile, former lead singer Morrissey has begun 2026 in a way very similar to the way he ended 2025: by announcing concerts and then canceling them.
