Morrissey Central "SMITHS NOT OK" (September 11, 2024)

September 11, 2024

The proposed greatest hits album by The Smiths entitled Smiths Rule OK! has been blocked by J Marr. The album (above), and also the single Hand In Glove (below)

were planned for 2024 worldwide release by Warner Records along with a deluxe box release of The Smiths first album in order to commemorate its 40-year anniversary, and also a new 7-inch of This Charming Man. Warner approached Morrissey and Darren Evans to assemble artwork for all four releases, all of which were rejected and halted out of hand by J Marr.

SMITHS NOT OK - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - SMITHS NOT OK

MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY on MORRISSEY CENTRAL

www.morrisseycentral.com

---

Media item:

• Stereogum: "Now Morrissey Says Johnny Marr Has Blocked A New Smiths Deluxe Reissue" - September 11, 2024

 

[SteveWS]

The following is not exactly breaking news even if correct, but it strikes me that the endless dramas between Morrissey & Marr are due to two different mindsets regarding the end of the Smiths:

* Moz (publicly) behaves, sometimes in an undignified or even immature way, as he does because he's thinking that the whole thing was and is a close, personal relationship.

* Whereas Johnny is more emotionally detached because, in stark contrast, he (privately) treats and considers the whole thing as if it were a business relationship.

This no doubt unoriginal conclusion explains why Moz flounces in an often contradictory manner - depending on mood - between appearing not to give a damn about the Smiths and apparently resenting that people still prefer their work to his solo efforts; and alternatively unsubtly suggesting that nobody cares as much as he does for the band of which he claims to be 'the essence'.

Meanwhile Johnny, evidently a far more strategic thinker when it comes to careers, looks after business by talking-up and protecting the band's legacy. Though not as cold-hearted and clinical as my description might suggest, and surely not insincere on Johnny's part, it is nonetheless wiser than Morrissey's more emotional reactions and utterings. But then, it's arguably easier for Johnny, because he's not - and arguably never was - as emotionally invested in the Morrissey/Marr relationship as Moz is. Similarly, it's then easy for him to seem like 'the dignified, mature and sensible one' to the public eye.

 

[Amy]

What is non-conjectural about these lines: (italics and emboldenments added by me for emphasis with regard to relevance)

"Maybe it is an act of aggression, maybe it's just because the artwork is dire, maybe it's both or something completely different. Maybe you should stop letting Morrissey manipulate your emotions to feed his OWN ego in this sad, miserable public pissing contest."

...Also, what "emotions'' are you inferring from me? I'm saying it would be cool to have a box set of the first Smiths album sessions. And Johnny blocked it. Which annoys me.

Skylarker, you said quite angrily that Johnny was blocking this because he just wants to distance himself from Morrissey, and due to his ego, f*** him etc. That was conjecture. I was just pointing that out - that we haven't got a clue why he blocked it, that you've just assumed it due to Morrissey's wording. Admitting that we don't know the reasons, and that it could be anything really, isn't conjecture. It's just the truth.

 

[Amy]

The following is not exactly breaking news even if correct, but it strikes me that the endless dramas between Morrissey & Marr are due to two different mindsets regarding the end of the Smiths:

* Moz (publicly) behaves, sometimes in an undignified or even immature way, as he does because he's thinking that the whole thing was and is a close, personal relationship.

* Whereas Johnny is more emotionally detached because, in stark contrast, he (privately) treats and considers the whole thing as if it were a business relationship.

This no doubt unoriginal conclusion explains why Moz flounces in an often contradictory manner - depending on mood - between appearing not to give a damn about the Smiths and apparently resenting that people still prefer their work to his solo efforts; and alternatively unsubtly suggesting that nobody cares as much as he does for the band of which he claims to be 'the essence'.

Meanwhile Johnny, evidently a far more strategic thinker when it comes to careers, looks after business by talking-up and protecting the band's legacy. Though not as cold-hearted and clinical as my description might suggest, and surely not insincere on Johnny's part, it is nonetheless wiser than Morrissey's more emotional reactions and utterings. But then, it's arguably easier for Johnny, because he's not - and arguably never was - as emotionally invested in the Morrissey/Marr relationship as Moz is. Similarly, it's then easy for him to seem like 'the dignified, mature and sensible one' to the public eye.

The best comment I have seen from JM is that the reasons for the end of the Smiths are in the eye of the beholder. In other words, there is no objective 'truth' - just different opinions, and he and Morrissey can't agree, which leads them to blame each other.

I think your theory is as good as any other. It seems to me that Morrissey moved on 'better' professionally, with a huge solo career. Johnny moved on 'better' in the personal sense, focusing on his family and children and other friendships. It comes down to what you value most, in the end?

Morrissey's perception that Johnny thinks of him as an 'eyesore monster' obviously hurts him, and he tries to get revenge by pointing to his greater professional success, and continues to obsess about chart positions and so on. But you can't talk to your gold records, can you. And so it continues.

 

[SteveWS]

Yep, the blame is perhaps rather more equal than a partisan reading might suggest. Maybe an early split really was inevitable, all things considered.

I don't believe that Johnny's public standing would have been greatly negatively affected if he'd merely chosen never to comment on Moz's more political views (post-Smiths). Of course, he shouldn't have felt obliged to keep silent about those matters but nevertheless to do so may have cost him nothing in terms of public affection and commercial status. And then a reunion may have been more possible, at some later date.

 

[SteveWS]

And of course, Morrissey doesn't help relieve the situation with his questionable choices of Smiths line-up photos as cover-art:

 

[JerryCan]

What's the timeline in all this? I was just wondering when it was when all that graffiti appeared on the Iron Bridge?

Ah just looked - it was more of a WPINOYB etc theme: Words of the Prophets (2023)

 

[Rodrigo Borgia]

Johnny coulda bought a lot of toupees with that money. High quality ones, too.

 

[Anonymous]

Johnny coulda bought a lot of toupees with that money. High quality ones, too.

So could Morrissey, but now Johnny has deprived him of that.

 

[Redacted]

The following is not exactly breaking news even if correct, but it strikes me that the endless dramas between Morrissey & Marr are due to two different mindsets regarding the end of the Smiths:

* Moz (publicly) behaves, sometimes in an undignified or even immature way, as he does because he's thinking that the whole thing was and is a close, personal relationship.

* Whereas Johnny is more emotionally detached because, in stark contrast, he (privately) treats and considers the whole thing as if it were a business relationship.

This no doubt unoriginal conclusion explains why Moz flounces in an often contradictory manner - depending on mood - between appearing not to give a damn about the Smiths and apparently resenting that people still prefer their work to his solo efforts; and alternatively unsubtly suggesting that nobody cares as much as he does for the band of which he claims to be 'the essence'.

Meanwhile Johnny, evidently a far more strategic thinker when it comes to careers, looks after business by talking-up and protecting the band's legacy. Though not as cold-hearted and clinical as my description might suggest, and surely not insincere on Johnny's part, it is nonetheless wiser than Morrissey's more emotional reactions and utterings. But then, it's arguably easier for Johnny, because he's not - and arguably never was - as emotionally invested in the Morrissey/Marr relationship as Moz is. Similarly, it's then easy for him to seem like 'the dignified, mature and sensible one' to the public eye.

I think it was personal for Johnny too, but Johnny has a tendency to keep relationships, he was childhood friends with both Billy Duffy and Andy Rourke, and was til Andy's death and is still friends with Billy. He's been with Angie since they were 14 and 15, and countless other friends, he seems to mend fences when he can too, like with Mike Joyce. Morrissey's life seems pretty empty compared to Johnny's so a close relationship with someone, even 40 years ago may hold more significance for Morrissey than Johnny, because Johnny has so many other people to be friends with, without the drama. In some ways it is really strange to me that given Johnny's habits regarding friemds, that he is so averse to Morrissey, so it was probably really bad and something he's decided he doesn't need in his life.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Cataracts in both I'd say

yes, you are blind.

 

[CrazyFaceGenes]

I think it was personal for Johnny too, but Johnny has a tendency to keep relationships, he was childhood friends with both Billy Duffy and Andy Rourke, and was til Andy's death and is still friends with Billy. He's been with Angie since they were 14 and 15, and countless other friends, he seems to mend fences when he can too, like with Mike Joyce. Morrissey's life seems pretty empty compared to Johnny's so a close relationship with someone, even 40 years ago may hold more significance for Morrissey than Johnny, because Johnny has so many other people to be friends with, without the drama. In some ways it is really strange to me that given Johnny's habits regarding friemds, that he is so averse to Morrissey, so it was probably really bad and something he's decided he doesn't need in his life.

I think there was obviously a lot of pain from the break up of the Smiths and Marr was kinda bitter about it for years, but he did try in 2008 to get something going again. It just seems like 2013 was his moving on point when he was just done with the band and Morrissey after getting no response to his messages, so i'm not sure if it's real bad blood or just being finished with Morrissey and any sense of connection and residual loyalty being long gone.

 

[Redacted]

I think there was obviously a lot of pain from the break up of the Smiths and Marr was kinda bitter about it for years, but he did try in 2008 to get something going again. It just seems like 2013 was his moving on point when he was just done with the band and Morrissey after getting no response to his messages, so i'm not sure if it's real bad blood or just being finished with Morrissey and any sense of connection and residual loyalty being long gone.

Agreed, it could he just as simple as being done

 

[alainsane]

The band name coup aside, I’m glad these releases have been blocked. They are fugly as uck. And why would you refer to the band without the leading “The”. And does no one know/care that The Dandy Warhols already have a like-named release?

 

[Rodrigo Borgia]

The band name coup aside, I’m glad these releases have been blocked. They are fugly as uck. And why would you refer to the band without the leading “The”. And does no one know/care that The Dandy Warhols already have a like-named release?

I definitely agree, just because they don't need another greatest hits compilation. They should just do vinyl reissues of the two Best collections, be done with it. I would like to see some live releases, some demos if they make sense to release, but I'm not sure why they can't be done as separate on their own releases. "Deluxe" editions of the individual albums don't intrigue me that much.

 

[April Snow]

The "Queen is Dead" deluxe set is superb - I have both the CD and the Vinyl box set. The demos and live discs are wonderful, the presentation is high quality and well thought out - the artwork is stunning - the pressing is flawless on all 5 LPs. I would love to see the other 3 studio albums have the same treatment - I would buy them in a heartbeat.

 

[goinghome]

An article - Op-Ed - was published yesterday featuring a legal expert analysing the trademark tensions between Morrissey and Marr about The Smiths' name

"After Morrissey and Johnny Marr had a public set-to about the trademark THE SMITHS, Dorothea Thompson takes a 2look at the ins and outs of trademark registration and how to sort things out"

https://completemusicupdate.com/op-...ais-on-the-morrissey-marr-trademark-tensions/

I already posted the item, before it was fast buried in the midden

https://www.morrissey-solo.com/thre...complete-music-update-october-23-2024.152948/

 

[thejusticecode]

Oh mother I can feel the drama pouring over my head

 

[Anonymous]

The band name coup aside, I’m glad these releases have been blocked. They are fugly as uck. And why would you refer to the band without the leading “The”.

I'm not going to disagree with you regarding this being a ugly cover, but there is precedent for The Smiths to issue records without any 'The' in the band name.