Mojo November '24 - Rhoda Dakar Interview snippet with Moz ref:
Another cover was Morrissey's Everyday Is Like Sunday. " I'm not an apologists for him or his ideas, obviously" noting that she liked the Pretenders version, the music was written by 1980 tourmate Stephen Street, and that the words suited the apocalyptic tenor of lockdown. "But sometimes the art speaks for itself. I really like that song and so I'm gonna sing it"

Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.

---

Related item:

• Morrissey-solo: Morrissey is now being managed by Pete Galli of Red Light Management (February 12, 2024)

Back in 1994, Detroit alt-rock band Sponge released their debut album Rotting Piñata, which yielded the hits “Plowed” and “Molly (Sixteen Candles).” They’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of that breakthrough with 1994, a covers album exclusively focused on songs from the titular year. The tracklist includes tunes by Sonic Youth, Alice In Chains, Mazzy Star, Stone Temple Pilots, Jawbox, Urge Overkill, and both Oasis and Blur. And for today’s lead single, Sponge offer a revved-up take on Morrissey’s “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get.”

Sponge’s Vinnie Dombroski offers:
The band considered many great songs for the album but the Morrissey song was a STAND OUT and perhaps not an obvious choice for Sponge. That’s what makes it even cooler. With the tempo double timed from the original at the suggestion of producer Tim Patalan, the new version sounds like something off of Sponge’s 1999 New Pop Sunday album.



[URL...

A statement from Johnny Marr's management:

Recent statements made by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of
The Smiths' name are incorrect.

Here are the facts:

In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths' name - and upon
discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band - Marr reached out to
Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting The Smiths' name.

A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself.
It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey's lawyers that this trademark was held
for the mutual benefit of Morrissey & Marr.

As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint
ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign.

In the interests of accuracy and clarity regarding the trademark, and to answer
recent reports that Marr ignored a promoter's offer to tour as The Smiths, Marr says:

"To prevent third parties from profiting from the...

---

Related item:

• Morrissey Central: "BILLBOARD IN MANILA (Philippines)" (August 30, 2024)

J Marr has successfully applied for 100% trademark rights / Intellectual Property ownership of The Smiths name. His application has been accepted on whatever oaths or proclamations he has put forward. This action was done without any consultation to Morrissey, and without allowing Morrissey the standard opportunity of 'objection'. Amongst many other things, this means that Marr can now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice, and it also prohibits Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying Morrissey considerable financial livelihood.

Morrissey alone created the musical unit name 'The Smiths' in May 1982.

---

Media items:

• AV Club: "Morrissey claims that Johnny Marr owns name "The Smiths" now" - September 16, 2024...

Sony Publishing website have complied with a request to remove hateful comments made against Morrissey by media personality Kathy Burke. Legal proceedings were avoided.

---

Related item:

• Kathy Burke's recent views on Morrissey (July 8, 2024)