the Love of Wilde writes:
We’ve known for a while that Modest Mouse leader Isaac Brock and former Smiths guitarist/genius Johnny Marr were collaborating on MM’s next record. But guess what? Marr is now officially a full-on member of Modest Mouse, Brock recently told us. According to Brock, Marr’s membership is so unequivocal, he will tour with MM in support of their next record, tentatively titled We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank and tentatively due this fall. “He made a cautious commitment to write and record with us, and then the tighter we got, he was like, ‘okay, let’s tour too,’” Brock said. “Then he was pretty much a member of the band - not pretty much. He’s a full blown member of the band. It’s really fuckin’ nice.”

Some backstory: When it came time to start work on the follow-up to 2004’s indie-rock marvel Good News for People Who Love Bad News, Brock found himself sans guitarist and enlisted Marr to help write and record. “I took a long shot really,” says Brock. “I was like, ‘You know, I really like that guy’s guitar playing. There’s no chance in hell he’s going to say yes, but why not give him a call?’ So I did.” Maybe Morrissey should borrow Brock’s little black book? “Eventually it all came together, and it was a really good fit, which I think actually surprised all of us,” Brock recalled. Finally, Marr, Brock and co. went down to Sweet Tea studios in Mississippi (the same joint where Good News was recorded) to lay down tracks for We Were Dead, which Brock describes as a nautical balalaika carnival romp. So what’s the gist? Get ready to have your mind blown by Modest Marr’s crazy-dark sailors-and-gypsies whimsy.

-- Lauren Gitlin
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This Charming Man also sends the link:

Smiths star joins Modest Mouse - NME.com
The band get extra special guitar help

Uncleskinny posted the link in the forum:

Sanctuary/Attack to release KristeenYoung single; KristeenYoung to support Morrissey on upcoming tour dates - true-to-you.net

4 August 2006

Sanctuary Records have announced that KristeenYoung's "Kill The Father" will be released on Sanctuary/Attack on August 21st in the U.K. This limited edition, numbered single will feature the B-side "Life's Not Short, It's Sooooo Long."

Kristeen, originally from St. Louis, Missouri, has been supporting Morrissey during his current tour, and will support him on his upcoming tour dates in Karlstad (August 7th and 8th), Reykjavík (August 12th), and Brussels (August 27th).

sidious writes:

Uncleskinny writes:
"Welcome to Red - Editorial by Trish Halpin

Many, many years ago I vowed to myself never to be the kind of grown-up who hasn't a clue what song is at number one or who shouts 'Call that racket music?' at the TV while watching Top Of The Pops (R.I.P). It was a friend's dad's verbal abuse of Morrissey gyrating on stage with a bunch of gladioli in his back pocket that set me off. How could anyone not be touched by the poetry of "This Charming Man" I wondered, or not want to listen to The Smiths endlessly all day long, such was my obsession with music. Fast forward to 2006 and I can't tell a Killer from a Stroke, and wouldn't know an Arctic Monkey if it bit me on the nose."