Shawn writes:

Honey-voiced Torquil Campbell of Stars mentions his obsession with The Smiths once again in NOW! Toronto...

The Montreal-by-way-of-New-York foursome all grew up in Toronto. Fabulously named vocalist Torquil Campbell is a Smiths-obsessed actor who does Shakespeare for fun and has appeared on Sex And The City, Law & Order and as the voice of the cartoon character Bill Badger.

"I love English pop music from the 80s and early 90s. That's the purest moment of music for me, people like the Smiths, the Bodeans, Aztec Camera and Orange Juice. I wanted to live in that world because it was where I felt beautiful. I wanted to create something of my own that would put me there, and that's what Stars became."

"Everyone has to love the Smiths," Campbell snorts. "No Smiths, no Stars."

Stars - Local swoon popsters seek solace in beauty - By Matt Galloway

• Related item: Delightful 'This Charming Man' cover on new Stars album - Dec. 1, 2000