After the two in-store DVD signings in Los Angeles and New York, it sounds like it might be a little quiet around here for a while. I got a chance to briefly ask Morrissey about the current record label situation and basically it's the same, nothing has been signed at the moment, so there will be no new releases for a while. Apparently labels are surprised he's not signed, and there have been meetings that have gone well and even a few offers but for some reason or another terms were not agreed upon. I don't really understand it at all.

Regarding the in-stores themselves, both went very smoothly and Morrissey did meet everyone who had a wristband. In Los Angeles the initial group of security left after about an hour into the signing because they were fed up with Morrissey not following the stated rules. They apparently 'lost it' when someone pulled out a sock monkey from their jacket to get signed. (Update Oct. 28 - "Sock Patrick Monkissey aka Soz", image from Candy Girl). Both in Los Angeles and New York, security said they had never seen reactions and emotions like this at a signing ever before.

Music of Morrissey's choice was played during the signings. Included were: "Skin Storm" by Bradford, "Speak To Me Someone" by Gene, and two by Nico, "Innocent and Vain" and "Somewhere There's A Feather". Does anyone recall the other songs?

Crystal writes:

Saw this on a Cure page (Chain of Flowers)... Since everyone is always talking about the 'Robert Smith/ Morrissey rivalry' thought you may want to post it. Although I don't really agree with this person's point of view on the whole thing.

Ok, not really a Curespotting, but pretty funny anyway:
"I know Morrissey and The Cure (particularly Robert) hate each other and have made various cracks throughout the years against each other, but I have never, even in cyberspace, found out the root of this fueding. Even at the Roseland show in February, when the Cure played 3 days after Morrissey did, Morrissey said "as you all know, Limp Bizkit will be here next week" (Limp Bizkit was not, nor scheduled to be).

Anyway, Friday night there was a Morrissey DVD signing at Virgin Megastore at Union Square. We got there late and were the last 2 on line, so we had a few minutes to talk to the ex-Smiths front man himself.

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Damian writes:

Went to the Manchester reading of Willy Russell's 'The
Wrong Boy', which was attended by mainly middle-aged women. Morrissey's father, Peter, was there, looking a bit nervous!

When one of the audience said that Morrissey was 'too miserable', Willy Russell went into a long rant on how beautiful, clever and witty Morrissey's words are.

Good on yer Willy!!!

• Related link: Book Review: The Wrong Boy (out this month) - Oct. 6, 2000

George writes:

This is pretty ridiculous. VH1 just aired "Porn to Rock 2" which tells the story of some porn stars making the transtition to lame pop music. They played some Bon Jovi song and then Prince's "Kiss" while they showed the obligatory meaningless 1/2 second porn clips and then "How Soon is Now?" started playing and they actually show about 30 seconds of the video with Moz flailing about. Apparently porn star Raylene grew up listening to "the Cure and the Smiths and Depeche Mode" and now she wants to make hit records as a sideline. This made me chuckle, I recommend watching this show if only for the novelty of it.

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dina writes:

Here's the deal. Moby did a show at my school, and I was doing security so I got to meet him afterwards. I asked him if he liked Morrissey, and he said yes, so I got him to sign my shirt-

"I like Morrissey too, Moby".

Then I asked him what he thought of Morrissey, and I meant as a person, because he said they had met on several occasions. "I liked him better when he was with the Smiths," Moby replied. I pouted... Oh well.

• Related link: Moby on Morrissey - May 1, 2000

Per writes:

At Fuzzbox Magazine, there is a fresh interview with Mike Joyce in Swedish. Mike tells alot about his time in The Smiths at what was so unique with the band.

kevin writes:

City Life (Manchester's version of "Time Out") reports that the Smiths inspired film, "Unloveable", will be shown at the Manchester Cornerhouse cinema on Wednesday 8 November. The film features Mike Joyce. This is part of a Manchester Reel Life festival which showcases work by independent filmakers inspired by Manchester music.

The article is titled "Paint a Vulgar Picture" and is as follows:

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An anonymous person writes:

As a Smiths/Morrissey fan since 1985 and occasional lurker on the mailing lists and newgroups, I've come to find that the one of the most popular questions among fans is "what else do you listen to?". With the soulless thud of the "98 Christina Spears Sync" era seemingly inescapable (in American pop culture, anyhow), I've increasingly turned to independent music to find my own answers to that question.

I stumbled across Jeffrey Altergott by way of recommendation, and I've found that his latest work, Icarus Grounded, is far and away my favourite album of 2000. It's a confluence of fantastically melodic pop, passionate lyrics, and, as Moz would say, "a lovely singing voice". But you don't have to take my word for it - download his cover of Morrissey's "Wide to Receive" in mp3 format here for free.

Enjoy!

shoplifterromo writes:

Back by popular demand! "November spawns" another Morrissey/Smiths night at Club Dedo, corner of Mesa and Rio Grande, in El Paso, Texas. "Dance your legs down to the knees" Thanksgiving weekend. The 18+ night will happen from 9pm-2am Sunday November 26th.