Few musical artists can claim the sheer volume of releases as The Fall. The Manchester-based post-punk group’s only constant throughout its 30 years of existence, Mark E. Smith, is the group’s signature component, delivering a sharp, withering litany of vocal scrutiny to all who entertain his presence, across an estimable 95 albums and countless singles. But Smith’s latest target has raised the collective eyebrow of animal lovers throughout England.
The Daily Mail reports that, in a recent interview given to Uncut magazine, the 51-year-old performer claims to have murdered a handful of red squirrels outside of his home, a statement that has raised concern with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). “Squirrels mean nothing to me,” bragged Smith. “I killed a couple last weekend actually. They were eating my garden fence.” Egged on by Uncut interviewer Ben Marshall, Smith later endorsed the mowing down of seagulls by automobile.
In either case, this is a bizarre turn of phrase by a man who’s no stranger to…well, to bizarre turns of phrase. But this one might have legal ramifications. Red squirrels are on the endangered species list in the United Kingdom, and if Smith is found guilty of this offense, he stands to face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of up to £20,000, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
This comes as a shock to yours truly, as The Fall is this humble writer’s favorite band. They’re also one which I have no desire to interact with, so here’s hoping that by writing up this piece, Smith finds no occasion to come after me with garden shears, a car, a rake, a pint glass, or whatever he’s got handy at the time.
I want one!
PETA is not pleased! :\