News Archive : July 1-10, 1997
-2 KROQ Interviews
-"Sorrow" not to be released in the UK
-"Alma Matters" video details

July 10 97

"Alma Matters" Video Shoot Details

Hmm... interesting. Thanks to Stephane Daigle for the news from Microsoft Music Central™ (July 9):

It seems the usually sensitive Morrissey committed a bit of a faux pas when he filmed the video for "Alma Matters," the first single off of his Maladjusted album, at a meat-packing warehouse in downtown L.A.

According to the ever-reliable wags at BAM, the infamous vegan allowed the video to be filmed without the slightest compunction (or irony for that matter), although that may because the plot line had nothing to do with carnivorious activities — and that the rent on the warehouse was really cheap.

The closest Morrissey comes to chowing down to a side of beef is when he dives into a soggy bowl of cornflakes. Huh? What is it with rock bands and cereal? First, Hollywood Records band Flipp doused a crowd (for the second time) with a half-ton of Froot Loops™ when the band opened for Cheap Trick, then Primal Scream featured Froot Loops™ in its "Kowalski," video, and now this. Do you think that Kellogg’s is actively working towards product placement for the Gen-X set?

But back to Morrissey, the notorious malcontent was up to his old tricks by insisting on wearing a Beck T-shirt for the shoot, instead of some fancy designer wear. No symbolism there, insists his press representative. "It was his own T-shirt. He bought it himself because he’s a fan of Beck’s," he said.

But fandom is something the former Smith does not take lightly. After all, when he was Steven Morrissey back in the tender ‘70s, he was the head of the U.K. New York Dolls Fan Club, and when he signed to Mercury Records one of his stipulations was that he would be able to lunch with former NY Doll David Johansen. Do you think we should warn Beck?

"Alma Matters" US promo details

Thanks Mailily:

Got the new Morrissey single "Alma Matters" today. Well it’s the US promo single. It has the same sleeve as the UK one. It comes in a cardboard sleeve just like "Our Frank" as well as "We Hate It..". The inside is black with "Alma Matters 4:47 written and (Morrissey/A. Whyte). Produced by Steve Lillywhite. From the forthcoming Mercury LP, CD & Cassette "Maladjusted" (314536036-1/2/4). The disc is painted black with Morrissey real big and the song title, time and songwriting credits in white. Along with for promotional use only-not for sale. The back is a picture of Morrissey sitting in an old barber shop. He is between two other men. They are out of focus while he is in . He is sitting on an old couch and looking back at the camera. He is in the same outfit as the cover shot. Looks to be in New York. Great picture!!

Maladjusted UK release date pushed up

Thanks to Naomi for this shocker:

...the UK release date of Maladjusted has been pushed forward to the 4^th of August, ie. the week after "Alma", which makes good sense really.

July 09 97

Mercury/Island + The NME = More Confusion

Thanks, as always, to Naomi:

The big news story in the NME today- "Morrissey’s "Maladjusted" Readjusted"

[and at this point I’m going to have to refer you to NME.com because it’s a long and mainly repetitious article and I’m in a hurry]

The main points:

* Moz moved to Mercury over "scheduling" problems (right)
* Island is not going to release "Sorrow Will Come In the End" in the UK either! (although it will be released in the States and so on... apparently there was a heated discussion about it in Mercury’s LA offices about 4 weeks ago. ).

"WE respect Morrissey’s assurance that this track is not about recent legal affairs [hmmmm... - naomi] In the event however, that the track could be misconstrued thus causing problems for Island, we have reluctantly deleted the track from the album at the offering Morrissey the option of releasing it independently"

Marc Marot, Island Managing Director

---------------------
There’s also a "review" of "Alma Matters" in the Melody Maker this week but I’m not going to dignify it with further comment...

... you get the general idea :)

So, in conclusion, hold on to your promotional CDs!

(BTW, I know I said something about the British music press and "Sorrow" a few days ago, but I didn’t expect things to erupt quite so soon...)

"Alma Matters", UK release through mail-order

For those interested in the UK release of the "Alma Matters" in its different formats, Badlands records in Cheltenham, England, is offering decent mail-order prices. E-mail Philip Jump at [email protected] for more info.

Maladjusted released in Japan?

I have gotten several e-mails from people saying this. Can anyone confirm it though?

July 08 97

Audio of first KROQ interview is up

The much requested audio format of the first KROQ interview is now ready.

New book by Michael Bracewell

Thank you to Emily Reed for forwarding this review on the recently published book titled England Is Mine: Pop Life In Albion From Wilde To Goldie by Michael Bracewell. Bracewell, as I'm sure most of you will remember, wrote the introduction to Morrissey Shot.

July 06 97

Second KROQ Interview

Ok, it's over. This interview with Richard Blade (who also did the KROQ interview in 1990) was a bit more serious but still good-humored. Topics included the Tyson ear-biting, his optimism on touring, the Tonight show appearance of 1991, the English press, more on the idea of a Smiths reunion, the recent Smiths Convention, some of his favorite bands, past and present. This interview was a bit longer than the first one, lasting about two hours including songs and commercials.

As part of the 'flashback weekend', Morrissey chose several songs from the past to be played and also talked about the bands. Included were The Clash, Magazine, The Jam, Roxy Music, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Iggy and the Stooges. Asked to choose one Smiths song, he chose "Shoplifters Of The World Unite". And asked to choose one from his solo career, he chose "Alma Matters".

I hope to have a transcript soon, but I am kind of busy this week. Anyone want to volunteer to transcribe it, or at least get it started?

The Mercury/Island Affair (cont.)

from Naomi:

I’ve had word that the reason why "Maladjusted" is on Island in the UK (I know it’s still going to be on Mercury in the US and since it’s apparently already been released on Mercury in Japan - or so I hear! - it’s fairly obvious that for the rest of the world it’s going to be on Mercury too) is because Mercury UK declined to issue "Sorrow Will Come In The End". Certainly, it’s going to be the track upon which the UK press concentrate their ire (you can quote me on that too), so perhaps Mercury wanted out for that reason.

Also, less surprisingly, the first "Alma Matters" advert in UK print has been spotted! It’s just the sleeve shot, as seen on the Island site, and it’s in the August issue of "Vox", actually worth buying this month if only for a wonderful Elvis retrospective.

July 04 97

KROQ Interview Transcript

Here is the transcript, in four parts. Thanks a lot to Jonathan Tronson for taping it for me. Audio format may be coming soon, be sure to get the RealPlayer if you haven't already.

A few of the highlights:

* On "Alma Matters":
"... I think it means that we should be pleased and proud of the female side of our character, of our nature. Or if we're female, we should be proud of the male side of our character and give it just as much import as the other side. So, everything's fine, it doesn't matter how you behave."

* On the upcoming fall tour:
"... for up to four months". "... we begin in Toronto, on I think it's the 12th of September. And we come to L.A. on October the 13th."

* On the possibility of a Smiths reunion:
"... I've got no idea. I have no crystal ball. Who knows what tomorrow might bring, to quote... nobody."

Details on the Sunday KROQ interview

Thanks again to E.J. Hunyadi:

I just spoke with Richard Blade of KROQ Radio in Los Angeles, and he told me that the Sunday interview has already taken place, and is three hours in length. It will air Sunday evening from 3 to 7 pm. It is unclear to me whether or not it is purely interview or if music is interspersed, but Richard said that it was really hot, and not to be missed. I am ready to record!!! Richard sounded really excited about it!

"Alma Matters" single sleeve on Island's website

Info on the single from Island's website:

(UK Release Dates)
New single: Alma Matters released July 21.
New album: Maladjusted released August 11

"Alma Matters" is backed with "Heir Apparent" and "I Can Have Both", two tracks which won't be available on Maladjusted.

Full tracklisting as follows:

7" Alma Matters, Heir Apparent
12" Alma Matters, Heir Apparent, I Can Have Both
CD Alma Matters, Heir Apparent, I Can Have Both
MC Alma Matters, Heir Apparent

The 12" is available from the 28th July, and will not be eligible for the chart.

July 03 97

More Moz on KROQ

Thanks to E.J. Hunyadi for the news:

Just heard from Jed the Fish at 12:45 pm today that Morrissey will also return Sunday with Richard Blade for his Flashback Sunday Show. Now we will have two days of Moz to enjoy!

July 02 97

Morrissey Leaves Mercury for Island Records (!?)

Thanks to Naomi (of the famous 'All Over Battersea...') for this:

From today’s Melody Maker (dated July 5^th),

MORRISSEY has left Mercury Records for Island - and a new single, "Alma Matters", is out on July 21. Said to be along the lines of Mozzer’s "Everyday Is Like Sunday", it’s backed with "Heir Apparent" and "I Can Have Both", which won’t be on the new album, "Maladjusted", following on August 11.

--------------------------
I have no idea what to make of the "changes label" news (although he never did make an appearance on the Mercury web site, did he?), but it’s nice to see that the release dates haven’t been moved back (a new single this month... how long is it since we’ve been able to say that?).

KROQ Interview - Thurs. July 3 1997, 2 pm. Pacific Time

May it go through without any ears being bitten off. Were any of you there when the now-legendary KROQ interview on Feb. 9, 1990 took place?

July 01 97

Morrissey Interview On KROQ, July 4 Weekend

Thanks to Adam Lupercio for this announcement:

MORRISSEY will be LIVE in Kroq studios on Thursday or Friday *Im for sure I heard Thursday* at 2:00p.m. Pacific Time with the disc jockey "Jed The Fish" for about one hour right before KROQ starts their "All-request Flashback 4^th of July Weekend"

**** The station is in Southern California ****

MORRISSEY is going to premiere some or maybe even all his album Maladjusted during that time.

**** Rumor has it he might even announce a possible tour in the states (I hope so) I know everything is true that I have just said (except the tour) because *I myself* heard it on the radio! I happen to live in Southern California.

Momentessy

Thanks a lot to Andrew Shiue for this addition. I have checked out the video and it's one of the funniest I've seen.

To add to the mention of Moz on "Bill Nye the Science Guy," "The More You Ignore Me..." is parodied as "The Faster You Push Me": It’s credited to Momentessy and is the exact tune of TMYIM but abridged. Basically, it’s a guy who does Moz-like poses (and sounds and dresses like him) demonstrating the concept of momentum by getting pushed on a tire swing and in a car.

In the original video, Moz swings at some lights doesn’t he? We can all enjoy this marriage of Morrissey and momentum in a 2.8 meg quicktime form at:

http://nyelabs.kcts.org/goodies/screening/m37momentum.html
(Nov. 2000 - above link no longer active, here's a direct link to the QuickTime video)

Here are the lyrics:

The faster you push me
The farther I get
You’re adding velocity
The faster you push me
The farther I get
You’re adding velocity

I will go very far
But not as far as that car
Weight is such a central part
Of momentum’s deal
Whether you care or do not
Yeah, now if you don’t mind

The faster you push me
The farther I get
You’re adding velocity
The faster you push me
The farther I get
You’re adding velocity

You can't buy it yet, but...

From Kobin Kendrick:

Just a quick note about the advanced copies of Maladjusted. For people wanting to get a listen they should try their local Tower Records. I live in Seattle, Wa. and Maladjusted has been at the listening stations for about a week now.