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

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Could you be any more toe-curlingly sycophantic?

No. No, she can not.

 

[goinghome]

More coverage:

Oasis Reunion: News Round-Up

Only one story dominated the news this week: the comeback of Oasis after 15 years.

www.live4ever.uk.com

Morrissey Said Yes To Lucrative Offer For The Smiths Reunion In 2025

Morrissey shared an update on his official website late last week stating that a lucrative offer was made to launch a world tour of The Smiths next year

www.antimusic.com

A history of the Smiths' beef

Oasis may have reunited, but not all rifts are destined to be mended

www.salon.com

Morrissey Explains Hopes of the Smiths Returning to the Stage and How Johnny Marr "Ignored the Offer"

While fans hope for the Smiths to reunite, Morrissey recently revealed how Johnny Marr refused an offer to return.

americansongwriter.com

 

[Mosserray]

This quote from Liam Gallagher in Rolling Stone is absolutely the approach Morrissey and Marr should have taken.

“Before we get back together — if we ever get back together — we’d have to become brothers and friends again,” Liam told Rolling Stone Music Now in 2017. “And then I imagine once that happens, and we start hanging out or whatever, and we’re mates and we’re talking to each other on a nice, respectful level, we would probably go, ‘f*** it. We’ll take the f***ing band out for a spin and go on tour,’ you know what I mean? ‘Cause I know he wants to do it, and I know I want to do it… I know he doesn’t want to be supporting U2 playing a third of a stadium when he could do it himself with his brother… I would prefer to be speaking about an Oasis album than Liam’s solo album. And I know Noel Gallagher would. Because we’re better together… And I’m well aware of that. And so is he. ”

 

[SteveWS]

This quote from Liam Gallagher in Rolling Stone is absolutely the approach Morrissey and Marr should have taken.

“Before we get back together — if we ever get back together — we’d have to become brothers and friends again,” Liam told Rolling Stone Music Now in 2017. “And then I imagine once that happens, and we start hanging out or whatever, and we’re mates and we’re talking to each other on a nice, respectful level, we would probably go, ‘f*** it. We’ll take the f***ing band out for a spin and go on tour,’ you know what I mean? ‘Cause I know he wants to do it, and I know I want to do it… I know he doesn’t want to be supporting U2 playing a third of a stadium when he could do it himself with his brother… I would prefer to be speaking about an Oasis album than Liam’s solo album. And I know Noel Gallagher would. Because we’re better together… And I’m well aware of that. And so is he. ”

Liam must really love Oasis. Me, I'd have shot Noel out of a cannon decades ago because he has that godawful, unmerited, elder brother arrogance; the kind of assumed superiority based on him having the 'talent' to be born before Liam. Forever saying putdowns like "Shut up - I changed your nappies!" is, ironically, the mark of an irredeemably immature (and smug) person.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

This quote from Liam Gallagher in Rolling Stone is absolutely the approach Morrissey and Marr should have taken.

“Before we get back together — if we ever get back together — we’d have to become brothers and friends again,” Liam told Rolling Stone Music Now in 2017. “And then I imagine once that happens, and we start hanging out or whatever, and we’re mates and we’re talking to each other on a nice, respectful level, we would probably go, ‘f*** it. We’ll take the f***ing band out for a spin and go on tour,’ you know what I mean? ‘Cause I know he wants to do it, and I know I want to do it… I know he doesn’t want to be supporting U2 playing a third of a stadium when he could do it himself with his brother… I would prefer to be speaking about an Oasis album than Liam’s solo album. And I know Noel Gallagher would. Because we’re better together… And I’m well aware of that. And so is he. ”

Liam has been nothing but a class act since he came out of semi-retirement in 2017.

 

[SteveWS]

There's something very squirrelly about Morrissey in that photo above...like a friendly squirrel who's satisfactorily corralled his nuts ahead of Winter.

Stay tuned for yet more of these nuanced and intellectually sophisticated insights, folks. Ahem.

 

[dider]

I am 100% in favor of The Smiths never reuniting. There are about three things in the entire world that are entirely untainted by money, and the Smiths is one. No Andy = no Smiths, too. And no Mike = no Smiths too.

A "Morrissey & Marr" tour would be an acceptable alternative, but still not recommended.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

I am 100% in favor of The Smiths never reuniting. There are about three things in the entire world that are entirely untainted by money, and the Smiths is one. No Andy = no Smiths, too. And no Mike = no Smiths too.

A "Morrissey & Marr" tour would be an acceptable alternative, but still not recommended.

agree, just wouldn’t be the same. I mean, Johnny doesn’t even smoke anymore.

 

[Frank Jobsworth]

I am 100% in favor of The Smiths never reuniting. There are about three things in the entire world that are entirely untainted by money, and the Smiths is one. No Andy = no Smiths, too. And no Mike = no Smiths too.

A "Morrissey & Marr" tour would be an acceptable alternative, but still not recommended.

I think an M&M nostalgia tour would be fine if the desire to do it came from both of them and it wasn't just Moz eyeing up a massive pay day to put towards his Retirement fund. It's not the Smiths with Andy and Mike absent and M&M coldly shuffling about at opposite ends of the stage doesn't sound like much fun either.

 

[Mimi Ramone]

I absolutely would love to see a reunion of some sorts. Just because I'm too young to have caught them live and it would be a dream to see at least these two on stage together again. But it's hard to imagine given their very opposite characters now. Marr said a couple of years back, that he wouldn't want a reunion, but getting friends again away from the public eye would be fine. And I think that would be the best option for them. And then maybe, if things are going well, they could write together again for each other, not as The Smiths, but giving each other ideas, using the power of their creative union once again. But this seems nearly impossible now.

Its sad, but I think by now Marr's silence is deafening. He's not giving Morrissey any time of day anymore, even if Morrissey has created a situation, in which Marr had no choice but to react. But he didn't and I think the initial furore has deceased. Marrs next interviews will be interesting , as he will not be able to avoid this question permanently.

 

[Amy]

I absolutely would love to see a reunion of some sorts. Just because I'm too young to have caught them live and it would be a dream to see at least these two on stage together again. But it's hard to imagine given their very opposite characters now. Marr said a couple of years back, that he wouldn't want a reunion, but getting friends again away from the public eye would be fine. And I think that would be the best option for them. And then maybe, if things are going well, they could write together again for each other, not as The Smiths, but giving each other ideas, using the power of their creative union once again. But this seems nearly impossible now.

Its sad, but I think by now Marr's silence is deafening. He's not giving Morrissey any time of day anymore, even if Morrissey has created a situation, in which Marr had no choice but to react. But he didn't and I think the initial furore has deceased. Marrs next interviews will be interesting , as he will not be able to avoid this question permanently.

Part of me thinks silence was probably the most dignified way to stop things spiralling. It is only a 'public' silence though, we don't really know if Marr has reacted or reached out behind closed doors.

 

[Amy]

Just posting this as a reminder of what can happen when people mistakenly think they've got forever to mend their fences, and they run out of time.

--
And if I said I really knew you well
What would your answer be?
If you were here today
Well knowing you, you'd probably laugh
And say that we were worlds apart
If you were here today
But as for me
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more
I love you

 

[Redacted]

 

[Anonymous]

Just posting this as a reminder of what can happen when people mistakenly think they've got forever to mend their fences, and they run out of time.

--
And if I said I really knew you well
What would your answer be?
If you were here today
Well knowing you, you'd probably laugh
And say that we were worlds apart
If you were here today
But as for me
I still remember how it was before
And I am holding back the tears no more
I love you

And here's another Paul pearl:

"What opportunities did we allow to flow by
Feeling like the timing wasn't quite right?
What kind of magic might have worked if we had stayed calm,
Couldn't I have given you a better light?"

 

[Amy]

And here's another Paul pearl:

"What opportunities did we allow to flow by
Feeling like the timing wasn't quite right?
What kind of magic might have worked if we had stayed calm,
Couldn't I have given you a better light?"

If I never did it
I was only waiting for a better moment
That didn't come
There never could be, a better moment
Than this one, this one.

Love Flowers in the Dirt

 

[DaveJCarr]

Liam must really love Oasis. Me, I'd have shot Noel out of a cannon decades ago because he has that godawful, unmerited, elder brother arrogance; the kind of assumed superiority based on him having the 'talent' to be born before Liam. Forever saying putdowns like "Shut up - I changed your nappies!" is, ironically, the mark of an irredeemably immature (and smug) person.

I at least understood Noel's immediate post break up arrogance because it always seemed to stem from the fact that he wrote all the songs. But in the years since, Liam has proven he's learned a thing or two about songwriting and put together perfectly respectable albums – albeit with a lot of creative force partnerships and producers, but still he became much more involved than he was during the oasis years
.
I hope for the sake of their health – individually and collectively — they don't try to revert back to the "glory days" of the early 2000's frat boy rock persona. Not only is it a cliché at this point, but as harder to pull off the older you are

One of the big differences – and the unspoken ones – between Marr of the 80s, and even 90s and early 2000's is that he's sober now. And I don't think Moz is an alcoholic or lush or anything like that, but I also don't think he's demonstrated a commitment and understanding to doing all he can to remain healthy and vigorous while on tour. It comes down to scheduling, making sure that your meals are consistent in nutrient rich in a way that is specifically relevant to perfuming and singing, generally keeping active in moving, and most important of all – preshow post and post-show rest.

It is not all that different from athlete training and taking things to the next level in season.

 

[SuedeMoz]

I wonder if Johnny's reluctance to discuss reunion is connected to Moz bailing last time they talked about it. Maybe he's thinking "You weren't serious last time, maybe you're just calling my bluff?".

There must be so much we don't know, communication or disagreements between them, because the nuggets that filter into the public eye just don't make sense. The pub meet was 2008. They were still fairly cosy in 2010 when Moz agreed with Johnny about David Cameron..."Forgive Someone" implies an argument / stand-off in 2013. On/off/on/off/on and then... what since then? Politics? Not enough.

I wish Johnny would issue a reply - although maybe he's done with Morrissey goading him into making statements. There could be many reasons why at this point Johnny isn't interested. As you said feeling burned by Morrissey last time around. Maybe he's not interested in appearing as "The Smiths" without Andy at least. I don't think either are eager to work with Mike again.

Without trying to start a war here... given the size of the audiences Morrissey is playing to now... not having a record deal... it seems that he needs this more than Johnny does. While that wasn't always the case, it seems so now.

 

[Amy]

I wish Johnny would issue a reply - although maybe he's done with Morrissey goading him into making statements. There could be many reasons why at this point Johnny isn't interested. As you said feeling burned by Morrissey last time around. Maybe he's not interested in appearing as "The Smiths" without Andy at least. I don't think either are eager to work with Mike again.

Without trying to start a war here... given the size of the audiences Morrissey is playing to now... not having a record deal... it seems that he needs this more than Johnny does. While that wasn't always the case, it seems so now.

I felt that way about the open letter but then Johnny's response was mortifying, clearly sent before he could calm down and just made everything worse. I really don't want that again.

I don't think we'll get a reply now but I'd be thrilled to have some sort of 'Easter egg', some obscure Smiths photo or other, to let us diehard loons know that things are on the mend without the media jumping on it. In fact... given their mutual talent for putting their Size 9's in their mouth every time they speak, I'd be happy for Moz and Marr to communicate solely through photographs from now on.

 

[Frank Jobsworth]

I don't know why you worry about their relationship, Johnny Marr is clearly a very happy guy who has moved on. Moz annoys the f*** out of him, i don't think Moz can change or would want to so it's done, over, dead.

I think you would have to see some major olive branch coming from Moz to change that dynamic.

 

[Amy]

I don't know why you worry about their relationship, Johnny Marr is clearly a very happy guy who has moved on. Moz annoys the f*** out of him, i don't think Moz can change or would want to so it's done, over, dead.

I think you would have to see some major olive branch coming from Moz to change that dynamic.

What can I say? Theirs were the songs that saved my life. This is part of The Smiths story - even if it's a sad, complicated part - and I'm not getting off the bus until it ends.

In my mind, truly happy people who've moved on don't talk about friendship and love one minute, write soppy gooey memoirs and then take every chance they get to snark at 'the other one' for ghosting them or whatever. They don't hoard letters, or write new ones, or make silly cracks about the other one's career. That's like getting divorced, mocking your ex-wife's new partner and expecting that no one will put 2+2 together. They are very, very visibly two stubborn people who have not moved on and as a result, can't even be civil.

And as I've said before, neither of them really has an option to "move on" as long as their careers are built on a shared musical legacy.