Badly Drawn Boy: Pet Sounds & Mark E Smith Collaboration
- A chance encounter involving The Beach Boys' iconic album "Pet Sounds" led too an unexpected collaboration between Badly Drawn Boy and The Fall's Mark E.
- According to Badly Drawn Boy, Smith inquired about the music and requested the cassette.
- The collaboration occurred after Brian Wilson's death at 82.
Badly Drawn Boy, The Beach Boys, and Mark E. Smith: An Unlikely Collaboration
Updated June 12, 2025
A chance encounter involving The Beach Boys’ iconic album “Pet Sounds” led too an unexpected collaboration between Badly Drawn Boy and The Fall’s Mark E. Smith. The story, shared by Badly Drawn Boy on X, details how Smith, mistaking his car for a taxi in 1997, became captivated by the cassette playing in the vehicle.
According to Badly Drawn Boy, Smith inquired about the music and requested the cassette. This led to Badly Drawn Boy offering Smith the tape in exchange for a collaboration. The result was the track “Calendar,” recorded weeks later.
The collaboration occurred after Brian Wilson’s death at 82. Wilson was the creative force behind The Beach boys.
Mark E Smith got in my car thinking I was a taxi in 1997, I was playing a cassette version of Pet Sounds. Mark asked what it was and could he have it ? I said he could keep it if we could do a collaboration.We recorded a song ‘Calendar’ a few weeks later. Thanks Brian Wilson !
— Badly Drawn Boy (@badly_drawn_boy) June 12, 2025
“Calendar” was eventually released as a B-side to The Fall’s 1998 single “Masquerade,” from their album “Levitate.”
In a subsequent post, Badly Drawn Boy confirmed that Smith was unfamiliar with The Beach Boys and ”Pet Sounds,” despite its status as a landmark album. He recalled Smith’s reaction: “‘What’s this, I like it can I have it?'”
Yes .. he was indeed very merry. I was shocked and laughed that he didn’t seem to recognize the Beach Boys.. he literally said ‘ what’s this, I like it can I have it ?’
— Badly Drawn Boy (@badly_drawn_boy) June 12, 2025
Mark E. Smith died in January 2018 at age 60 after battling lung and kidney cancer. Tributes have poured in for Brian Wilson, including those from Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Bob Dylan, celebrating his musical genius and influence on songwriting.
What’s next
Fans of Badly Drawn Boy, The Beach Boys, and The Fall can revisit “Calendar” and explore the distinct musical styles that converged in this unique collaboration.