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Formed in 1992, the Sweet and Tender Hooligans have gained local and international attention as the longest-established and Ultimate Tribute to Morrissey and The Smiths. They have played for more audiences in more cities worldwide than any other Morrissey/The Smiths tribute band. They perform music from Morrissey's entire career both with The Smiths as well as his solo career. Occasionally, they will perform a song or two in Spanish.

The Hooligans regularly perform sold-out shows in some of the top venues in California including The House of Blues, The Hollywood Palace, The Knitting Factory and The Roxy, as well as performing to enthused audiences in Arizona, Texas, Seattle, New York City and Boston and Monterrey Mexico.

Sweet and Tender Hooligans have also toured the United Kingdom, including sold-out shows in London, Leicester, York, Newcastle, Leeds, Glasgow and Manchester. Response to the UK tour was so overwhelming that the BBC has since come to the United States to film the Hooligans for two documentaries highlighting their contribution to the ever-increasing popularity of The Smiths and Morrissey.

The band also received recognition as Best Cover Band in Los Angeles in the L.A. Weekly's Best of 2003 issue. Sweet & Tender Hooligans have also gained recognition by Morrissey himself, when he kicked off his 1999-2000 Oye Esteban world tour by announcing Hello, we are the Sweet & Tender Hooligans at his first show in Tempe, Arizona.

Some of Morrissey's present and former bandmates have been to see Sweet and Tender Hooligans live shows including Alain Whyte, Mike Joyce, Andy Rourke, and Mikey Farrel.

Lead singer Jose Maldonado (sometimes called "The Mexican Morrissey") appears in one of Morrissey's videos and also portrayed his hero in the feature film "My Life with Morrissey".