Joyce and Rourke join "Aziz"

Posted on Wed, Mar 31 1999
by David T. <[email protected]>

From Russell Sanzgiri:

NME.com reports today, 3/31, that Mike and Andy have joined Aziz Ibrahim's new group: Aziz. Brought together by a benefit gig in Manchester last week. The band have three new songs, one suspiciously entitled "Morassi".

check out www.nme.com for a more thorough report.

Excerpt from the NME.com report:

...Joyce explained that the band formed when Andy Rourke started working with Ibrahim.

"Andy said 'check out some of this stuff' because Aziz wanted me and Andy to do some tracks in the studio. It was meant to be just a session but it felt like a band and it sounded really good."

He added: "The thing that's really good about Aziz is he's just been known as a guitarist and a session player, but now he's coming out in his own right. And I don't think he realises just how good he is! He's incredibly versatile and that's what reminds me a little bit of The Smiths. One track can be quite funky, the next can be quite rocky and the next can be quite spacey."

At dotmusic.com:

Smiths and Stone Roses form Supergroup

The Smiths former rhythm section of Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke has teamed up with former Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim to form a new band. The trio - known simply as Aziz have already begun recording an album at Rockfield studios in Wales and are being lined up for at least one festival appearance - possibly Glastonbury - this summer.

The trio made their public debut as part of a Stephen Lawrence Trust benefit show in Manchester last week and included a new song intriguingly titled Morassi.

Joyce and Rourke briefly touted themselves around as a rhythm section for hire following the demise of the Smiths and formed part of Sinead O'Connor's band in the late 80s.

Comments / Notes

I would love to hear the sound they're creating. Wonder what the 'Morassi' track sounds like and if it's a stab in the dark. Hmmm...
J.J. Harrier <[email protected]> (anc1.alaska.edu)
- Wed, Mar 31, 1999 at 14:38:35 (PST)

I, for one, wish them nothing but good luck - they're both talented musicians who deserve another crack at being in a successful band. I, too, am curious to see what that "Morrassi" song sounds like! Perhaps Morrissey was a bit hasty in proclaiming "Sorrow Will Come In The End" - whose end, Steven? Heh-heh...just kidding!
Swallow On His Neck (spider-tl083.proxy.aol.com)
- Wed, Mar 31, 1999 at 15:03:10 (PST)

It should be interesting, as Aziz is a great guitarist. "Corpses" was one of my favorite records of'98. Does anyone know if Aziz is singing, or if they're looking for a vocalist?
Longpig (fastweb.sympatico.ca)
- Thu, Apr 01, 1999 at 13:05:32 (PST)

FOR ME THE SMITHS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GREAT BAND, AND STILL ARE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THE SONG "MORASSI". I WISH MIKE AND ANDY A GOOD LIFE, AND A GOOD CARREAR IN AZIZ. I HOPE I HEAR THEIR MUSIC SOMETIME.......
REBEL IN CALI <[email protected]> (206.18.38.18)
- Fri, Apr 02, 1999 at 10:27:42 (PST)

Sounds really interesting, really...I, myself, don't really expect 'Morassi' (or whatever it was named) to be an attack on Moz...didn't Joyce said that they had a spacey song? :)

I might be wrong, but Aziz only did one or two gigs with the Stone Roses didn't he?
Rare Flower <[email protected]> (t2o5p2.telia.com)
- Fri, Apr 02, 1999 at 15:19:11 (PST)

Yeah, Aziz played with the Roses on their festival tour (about 5 gigs) in 1996 after John Squire left. The last gig was the famously horrendous show at Reading'96. He played guitar on most of Ian Brown's solo record, with I thought was quite good. I'll defintely look into this band.
Longpig (fastweb.sympatico.ca)
- Mon, Apr 05, 1999 at 20:48:14 (PDT)

* return to Morrissey-solo