Morrissey Central "WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG" (August 29, 2024)

August 29, 2024

In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as 'The Smiths' throughout 2025.
Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.

Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November.
Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.

WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG - MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY - MORRISSEY CENTRAL - WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG

MESSAGES FROM MORRISSEY on MORRISSEY CENTRAL

www.morrisseycentral.com

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Related item:

• Morrissey-solo.com: "Johnny Marr uses Nigel Farage image to dismiss reunion talk" - August 27, 2024

 

[Anonymous]

Without Andy it wouldn't be The Smiths, however capable a replacement they could find. It would be Morrissey & Marr, which is fine, but I wouldn't shell out for that. Buy the inevitable live album perhaps.

I agree, and I think Mike Joyce's contribution to that musical chemistry shouldn't be underestimated.

 

[JerryCan]

I agree, and I think Mike Joyce's contribution to that musical chemistry shouldn't be underestimated.

Without Andy it wouldn't be The Smiths, however capable a replacement they could find. It would be Morrissey & Marr, which is fine, but I wouldn't shell out for that. Buy the inevitable live album perhaps.

(Went to see the reformed Velvet Underground back in the day. Left underwhelmed. Johnny need only see 3 seconds of that live dvd, John Cale eating his bass guitar out of frustration because of Lou Reed's prima donna behaviour, to decide reformations aren't worth it.)

There has to be something special happening for it to work. There has to be a way to cover for Andy, not necessarily a big name or some bass wizard. Just something appropriate. Be a real shame if Mike isn't there, yes I know it's unlikely.

I saw the Doors with Ian Astbury. It was great as Ian put a lot of work into it and he'd obliviously been inspired by Jim. Was so sad about John Dennsmore doing his best to derail it. He was more into acting by then anyway.

Zep had Jason Bonham. Other bands have managed it, I'm too knackered just now to get my memory working...

 

[Anonymous]

I agree, and I think Mike Joyce's contribution to that musical chemistry shouldn't be underestimated.

Had Andy still been alive, I think Moz, Johnny and Andy going on tour as 'The Smiths' would have been enough to capture the spirit of the old band. Without Andy, I think that puts a huge amount of pressure on Johnny & Moz to consider working with Mike again in the event of a reunion, to add some kind of legitimacy to the tour. As good as it might be, Moz & Marr and a couple of session musicians - that isn't The Smiths.

Personally, I think the real sticking point is Morrissey & Marr agreeing to work together again. Next to that, event something as unlikely as the pair working with Joyce again is small beans. And for all the abuse that Morrissey has hurled Joyce's way post lawsuit, Moz has always consistently praised his musicianship in The Smiths, and Mike has never really slagged Morrissey off in public (in recent years, he's actually defended him in print several times). I'm sure there would have to be a new agreement, with Mike agreeing to a smaller percentage than Morrissey & Marr for any reunion tour, but if hell freezes over and pigs might fly in terms of Moz & Marr, it's not beyond the realms of possibility that Mike comes on board as well.

I mean, the whole thing is cloud-cuckoo land fantasy, but it's no less likely than any of the other options.

 

[Anonymous]

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

I think that puts a huge amount of pressure on Johnny & Moz to consider working with Mike again in the event of a reunion, to add some kind of legitimacy to the tour.

Because Mike Joyce brings legitimacy to The Smiths… in a way that Mozzy and Johnny just never would!!! Or could!!

Lol, i needed this laugh!

 

[BrummieBoy]

The Smiths were:
Morrissey, vocals
Johnny Marr, guitar
Andy Rourke, bass/funkiness
Mike Joyce, drums

Craig Gannon, rhythm guitar 1986

There’s no subjectivity to this. This is what they were. Now, Andy has passed on, Joyce is hated, Craig left the band in ‘86. Morrissey’s willingness to reunite as The Smiths, during this period of being an absolute pariah, is understandable, but tacky.

Morrissey tried the whole Carry On The Smiths nonsense when Marr had the sense to walk...it took a veiled legal threat to get Morrissey to cease and desist from any fantasy that he could take The Smiths brand name for himself...hence his silly self-karaoke career as a tribute artist to his younger self. Total knobhead who happens to sing well, writes excellent vocal melodies over other people's instrumentals and writes lyrics that, in recent decades, have become self-satire. He's just a fcukin circus clown prancing around his stage-grave...

 

[Ashley_TakeABow]

 
View attachment 110109

This blew me away. I always thought it to just be speculation. It's.. sweet.

 

[Anonymous]

Because Mike Joyce brings legitimacy to The Smiths… in a way that Mozzy and Johnny just never would!!! Or could!!

Lol, i needed this laugh!

I'm sure 99% of the paying public wouldn't care, and it might still be a great thing, but I'm just not sure I could see Morrissey & Marr plus a couple of random session musicians as 'The Smiths'. It would be the same thing if Paul McCartney and Ringo decided to get a couple of session musicians and go on tour as 'The Beatles'. Might be nice, but it's not quite the same thing.

But I guess any promotors shelling out big bucks would want the Smiths brand name, regardless of who was actually on stage.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

I'm sure 99% of the paying public wouldn't care, and it might still be a great thing, but I'm just not sure I could see Morrissey & Marr plus a couple of random session musicians as 'The Smiths'. It would be the same thing if Paul McCartney and Ringo decided to get a couple of session musicians and go on tour as 'The Beatles'. Might be nice, but it's not quite the same thing.

hmmm, don’t think that comparison really works, comparing Andy and Mike to Harrison and Lennon.

 

[Leroy]

Who cares? Mark E.Smith had it right about both Morrissey AND Marr; a pair of conceited narcissists and poseurs. Morrissey, spiteful and petty and vindictive.
Marr, all false modesty with a deep-rooted conceit and a sly side.
Time to move on, Folks, nothing to see here.

 

[BookishBoy]

Who cares? Mark E.Smith had it right about both Morrissey AND Marr; a pair of conceited narcissists and poseurs. Morrissey, spiteful and petty and vindictive.
Marr, all false modesty with a deep-rooted conceit and a sly side.
Time to move on, Folks, nothing to see here.

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.

 

[Anonymous]

Who cares? Mark E.Smith had it right about both Morrissey AND Marr; a pair of conceited narcissists and poseurs. Morrissey, spiteful and petty and vindictive.
Marr, all false modesty with a deep-rooted conceit and a sly side.
Time to move on, Folks, nothing to see here.

Sounds to me like Mark E. Smith was spot on. When did he say that? Presumably before he died.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Who cares? Mark E.Smith had it right about both Morrissey AND Marr; a pair of conceited narcissists and poseurs. Morrissey, spiteful and petty and vindictive.
Marr, all false modesty with a deep-rooted conceit and a sly side.
Time to move on, Folks, nothing to see here.

think Mark felt that way ‘bout most bands, especially those competing on Rough Trade.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

This blew me away. I always thought it to just be speculation. It's.. sweet.

No speculation about it. Unlike any other human relationship, the creative one that’s shared, where one reveals their deepest self to the other, where every song is a child birthed, it is indeed a very intimate and unique experience. But not necessarily, and usually not, a sexual one.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Sounds to me like Mark E. Smith was spot on. When did he say that? Presumably before he died.

well, definitely not after.

 

[Dorothy]

well, definitely not after.

Ouija Board, Ouija Board...

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

Ouija Board, Ouija Board...

 

[SteveWS]

Well Mark would've known all about narcissism and conceitedness; what else was his intimidatory shtick but blustering, Malcolm Tuckeresque bigheadedness and self-indulgence?

 

[Leroy]

Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.

You're welcome. I guess you're a lifelong sycophant who thinks M and M can do no wrong.

 

[Leroy]

Well Mark would've known all about narcissism and conceitedness; what else was his intimidatory shtick but blustering, Malcolm Tuckeresque bigheadedness and self-indulgence?

I don't disagree, although I'll have to google Malcolm Tucker. Never heard of him.