SUNDAY, AUGUST 19:

Judging from the empty parking lots around the corner from the Echo, I would have never guessed just how crowded the place got. Smiths night was in full effect within moments of opening its doors to the line of people that nearly stretched to the end of the block. Leave it to the boys of PTP to recreate self-loathing jangly ‘80s Manchester like no one else could. Almost everyone who came swaying through the door immediately began dancing, arms swinging and smiles beaming, despite having to wait an oppressively long time to get in. The Tartans went on pretty quickly, mimicking all of Morrissey’s melodrama by throwing gladiolus out to the ecstatic crowd while they breezed through Smiths covers that included “I Won’t Share You,” “Panic” and “Rusholme Ruffians.” By the time Languis and friends took the stage, the place was packed and there were trampled flower petals everywhere. Despite a couple of technical difficulties, the band started in with an amazing acoustic version of “Half A Person” and then played “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want.” They immediately followed with a noisy and intense Cabaret Voltaire-ish version of “How Soon is Now,” complete with strobe lights, a clashing drum machine, and menacing guitar. It was the Smiths like no one had ever seen, but it was such an appropriate way to cover a song that fully brought them out of their underground status. (CL)