I started out listening to The Smiths when I was 15 years old. I would regularly shop at the now-defunt Atomic Records on Milwaukee's East Side, and literally, buy vinyl records and cassette tapes based on the names of the groups and the cover art. (I distinctly remember purchasing The Psychedelic Furs first release because it was the coolest band name I'd ever heard of at the time.) 

Around the same time, I bought "Meat Is Murder" by The Smiths, and it was love at first listen. To my glum almost-16 self, it felt like Morrissey penned "I Want The One I Can't Have" and "Well I Wonder" just for me. Later, songs like "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and "Still Ill" would define the end of my childhood. And even later, as a new mother, "Please Please Please" became my lullaby of choice for my sons (I altered the words a bit to make them slightly less despondent.) 

Today, I rarely listen to The Smiths or Morrissey's solo albums, but I have always made time to see Salford Lad's Club. The band always brought me back to the best of The Smiths, with Marc Solheim mastering his role as Morrissey. From hitting the baritone and the falsetto notes effortlessly, to sporting a quiff hairstyle, to swinging the mic chord and tossing flowers to fans – Solheim became Morrissey to me. 

Thus, with the same melancholy I felt as a lonely teenager, I report the Salford Lads Club's last show will be Friday, May 2, at Mad Planet, 533 E. Center St. Pretend – a tribute to The Pretenders – and DJ Paul H will open. It all starts at 8 p.m.

Recently, we had the chance to chat with Solheim, who is the Senior Talent Buyer for Riot Fest and before that the Talent Buyer and Venue Manager for the Pabst Theater Group.

"My first jobs were at Alpine Valley working on events as a dishwasher and then later backstage serving catering to the artists performing," says Solheim.  "The moment I graduated high school, I moved to the East Side and that’s where the whole thing began."

OnMilwaukee: When did Salford Lads Club have its first gig and where?

Marc Solheim: Our first show was on Oct. 27, 2007.  We played at Mad Planet with our good friends, Jay Gilkay and Brett Schwandt (Mondo Lucha), with their tribute to Misfits, along with The Obsoletes, who pulled off an incredible version of "Superdrag." We kept this thing together for 18 years. That seems like a lifetime ago.

About how many gigs have you had since?

Gosh, it’s hard to say, I have never actually counted. I would say 30 or so. I can say, for certain, that some were more memorable than others.

What are the details of the final gig?

We look forward to dancing our legs down to the knees one last time on Friday, May 2 at Mad Planet.  A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Wisconsin chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and we will be performing some songs we haven’t played in quite some time.

What led you to start the band? When did you first become a Smiths fan?

The first time we trotted out The Salford Lads Club was part of a benefit for 1-800-SUICIDE. It was at a pivotal moment in our peer group. We had recently lost someone dear to us, and it felt like the best way to cope and raise awareness simultaneously. 

What about Morrissey inspired you to tribute him?

Growing up, my grandmother took care of me quite a bit. She was from Bristol, so there was always a hugely “British” influence in my life since birth.  Morrissey and the Smiths had such a huge impact on me growing up. With lyrics like "It takes strength to be gentle and kind” and "Why do you come here when you know it makes things hard for me?” How does that not hit the very core of one’s being?  Also, the style, the substance and the quiet desperation. They just really made a difference in the way I looked at life as a young person growing up in a small town with no style or real sense of creativity whatsoever.

Has your opinion of Morrissey changed over time? If so, has that affected your desire to tribute him?

Ah, yes. The question I dread. My relationship is complicated as I do understand that quotes can be taken out of context. But there is a lot to unpack to be sure. On a personal level, it’s a matter of separating the artist from the art. Performing in tribute to an outspoken artist who can be divisive at times is tricky at best. I choose to focus on his positive aspects like supporting animal and LGBTQ+ rights. We do many songs live that he doesn’t perform anymore, and that’s a huge part of the appeal, I would think.

What are your favorite Smiths songs? Are they the same as your favorite songs to perform?

Pinning down a favorite song from the Smiths would be a tricky proposition. But I would have to say "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and "Half a Person" are the big ones. Both of which will surely be performed at Mad Planet. I am also quite fond of "Oscillate Wildly" and "Unloveable." As far as solo material, outside of the obvious like "Suedehead" and "Everyday is Like Sunday." I would go with "Sister I’m A Poet," "Will Never Marry" and "There is a Place In Hell for Me and My Friends."

Are you more or less or the same of a fan of Morrissey’s solo work?

I am a fan of the Smiths' and Morrissey’s solo material on an equal level. It’s hard to say because The Smiths fell apart at the peak of their artistic output.  And the early solo songs he crafted are perfectly crafted pop genius. Not to mention he has had so many more albums released under his solo career.  

But if anyone is looking for recommendations, I would pick up "The Queen Is Dead" as a full album and "Louder Than Bombs" as a compilation to get a good feel for what The Smiths "feels" like. As far as Morrissey as a solo artist, I would jump headfirst into "Bona Drag." It's a beautiful compilation of the early solo singles and B-sides. And one can never go wrong with the debut album, "Viva Hate."

How many Smiths/Morrissey shows have you seen? 

I have seen Morrissey 36 times. I tallied up all of the shows for accuracy. Though it’s hard to match the first one – Tinley Park - June 25, 1991, with my good friend, Erik Gosnell – or the show in 2019 when I got engaged to my wife during a trip to New York. I attempted to see the Smiths at the Performing Arts Center (Marcus Performing Arts Center) on "The Queen Is Dead" tour. But it was not meant to be. I do still listen to the bootleg of that show from time to time. For its time, the setlist achieves near perfection.  

Where is the farthest you’ve traveled to see a show?  

I have not travelled nearly as far as many of my friends to see Morrissey or any other members of The Smiths. Las Vegas and New York would be the longest treks. Though I absolutely need to see a show in Mexico City and in Manchester.

Have you ever met or communicated with Morrissey? 

I have met Moz a few times. Very nice, shy and welcoming. I am friendly with several of his band members and keep in touch with them. Though I usually prefer to keep my distance from most artists whose work I love. I have had the pleasure of having a few conversations with Johnny Marr (guitarist for The Smiths) over the years. He’s always a delight. Very clever. Very sharp. It’s clear why Morrissey and Marr were such a formidable partnership as songwriters.  

Why is this the band's last performance? What’s next for you? 

Giving up The Salford Lads Club was a decision that was not simple. But, in the end, we accomplished a lot, did some good and were very lucky that people cared. Eventually, the whole thing became a bit unwieldy. With band members in different states, rehearsal became more of a chore. And really, don’t all bands need to end at some point? I work out of state on Riot Fest and really want to ensure I am giving the festival the attention it deserves. I am also very much looking forward to listening to the songs I love without having to compartmentalize them in some sort of set list. The band members all remain best friends and that will never change.

What do you love about being in the band?

One of the things I adored about being a part of The Lads is the great opportunities we have been afforded to help others. From the early days working with 1-800-SUICIDE to the events where the proceeds were given to The Pablove Foundation – those are special moments. 

What will you miss the most?

Sharing the stage with the other Lads. They are brothers for life, and I love each of them. Besides that, I’ll miss the folks singing along and suspending disbelief for an evening. Singing along to the songs that saved our lives. This whole thing started at Mad Planet, and we all agreed there was no better place to lay the band to rest than where it all began.

Anything else?

I cannot thank all of the current and past members of SLC enough. This has meant the world to me. Over the years, the Salford Lads Club has consisted of Matt Layton, Zach Coarson, Mike Meyers, John Wythes, Thomas Calkins III, Michael Tietjen and myself. And I would like to thank the florists who have kept our stages looking so alive over the years.