Morrissey’s good pal Johnny Marr….no wait, I take that back. Johnny Marr was a part of this really cool old band called The Smiths. He became very famous for his style of guitar playing. Some have called him one of the most influential guitarists of our time.
The Smiths came to an end after a brief and brilliant run. Morrisey going one way, Marr the other. Seems a lot of fans went all ‘Team’ after this. Those on my side “Team Morrissey”, figured Marr could just mosey on out in to the sunset, just a guitar player. Others went ‘Team Marr”, those guitar aficionados felt without him, Morrissey was nothing but a poufy hairdo and a bitch attitude.
Marr didn’t run home to make jam after The Smiths. On the contrary he has spent decades collaborating with a an array of bands, including Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys, The The, Electronic and others. Marr was a member of the Modest Mouse line-up for the number 1 album, “We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank” . Similarly, Marr joined The Cribs when they hit the Top 10 with their 2009 release Ignore The Ignorant. Marr is a joiner and a collaborator.
Well, til now. Marr will release his first solo album “The Messenger” in February. 120 songs written and produced by Marr himself. ‘capturing his musical vision exactly as he imagined’. What the hell does that mean? The guy has had 30 years to do just that. The quote suggests he was in a musical prison or something.
Let the old hipsters rejoice, Marr is back and you can now throw flowers at the feet of your hero! Bet he tours, bet he milks The Smiths catalog too.. Oh wait.. I neglected to mention that Marr recently collaborated with Frank Artwright on the remastering of The Smiths box set “Complete”. Go figure and stay tuned.