I read this post and now I have the BIGGEST grin ever on my face.

10/10 - you're really showing him in his true colours - thank goodness Moz has got you on his side, that post was a stroke of genius.

xxx

he couldn't wait to get his hands on lots of free tickets for his friends.

What a weiner.

Exposing Tim Jonze for the fucking liar that he is.

Shame on him for his outright lies on this subject, changing his position when he / the NME might be in trouble.

On a side note: when Tim Jonze interviewed Morrissey he asked him about the songs to be included on the free single. Morrissey told him "Drive-in Saturday" and Tim asked if it was a new song...
Moz gave him a shocked look and Tim admitted that he had never heard of the David Bowie song.

hmmm who's calling who 'ignorant'

true story btw

What a cheek! Even wanting plus one for all his guests. Shows you the freeloading culture at the NME.

Merck, did you not get them all the tickets they wanted! I bet the article was out of revenge for that! Shame on you for not sucking up to them enough.

He's really upset, isn't he? Tosser.

By the way, did you know that an anagram of Conor McNicholas perfectly describes what's going on right now..."Clash - moronic con"

OK, I'll get me coat...

Peter

Moz finally has someone on his side that will fight to the bitter end for him. Merck - you are a legend!

From his clarification Jonze is suggesting that he has not seen the finished article as it was published.

1) He was paid to do the interview, but the NME didn't send him a copy, even knowing that there would be a big fuss and Jonze would be asked to comment on it?
2) Jonze has been unable to track down a copy of the published article on the internet?
3) The NME's reply to Morrissey's legal people suggests that they do not have a copy of the recording of the interview. Or have I mistaken this? Does this mean the NME did not use the original recording/transcript of the interview to write the piece, or that they allowed Jonze to leave the country with the only copy of it they had?
4) Jonze stands by the quotations in the article, which he has not read?

Perhaps we are getting sidetracked into what/if/huh! but there does not appear to be much in the way of honest journalism here....

To be honest this smacks of smoke and mirrors.

Even if NME reworded some of the questions, some of the responses still rub me up the wrong way. All of the clarifying and email-posting is very entertaining, don't get me wrong, but no-one is disputing that Morrissey said the things that he's quoted as saying, and that's the heart of the matter.

No flowery editorial changes that. If the printed piece had consisted of no questions, no commentary and just the Moz quotes as a series of bullet-points, I'd still be alarmed at some of his comments.

Tom sounds like a young dumb journalist trying to establish a name.
His over anxious emails show that. No one in the actual "industry" lists names in order of importance and no one continues to ask for even more tickets for a show. Greed and being anxious will obviously be Tom's end.
Sue the "ailing" magazine as The Sun called them and lets move on to more serious issues:
1) Mr. Merck- can you please get Moz a REAL Myspace page that someone maintains and updates in November 2007? It is so sad to see that no one has updated his "official" page since Sep 14.
Take care of the fans and they will take care of YOU.
Good day from East LA

e

PS: Tom Jonze was at an internet cafe in Redondo Beach not Thailand....

saw this in the comments to Jonze's initial comments:

timjonze
Comment No. 813338
December 1 10:58
Bangkok/tha A few points based on the responses to my blog.

1)I have never called Morrissey a racist. I don't understand why people keep repeating this as if I have. If anything, his comments reignite the debate of what racism actually is and what constitutes a racist comment. All I said was that I, and many other people, would be offended by his comments and that they will provoke anger in certain people. That is all.

2) Yes, immigration and racism are different things. I do know this. However, I don't think lines such as "You won't hear a British accent in Knightsbridge" and "This country's been thrown away" are phrased in a way that suggests rational discussion about immigration.

3) My guess is that NME will have lost a lot of sales for going with this story, as they originally had a vinyl on the cover which they dropped. This would have been a big seller so don't assume they're just trying to flog copies.

4) My email to Merck was actually regarding a hotel bill and the bit he's posted was the final paragraph. He said he was disturbed by what I'd said so I replied saying that he shouldn't be, all I meant was it had been rewritten and that I hadn't seen a final draft. He hasn't posted this part of the email conversation.

5) To those suggesting the interview should have no comment or opinion: is that really the journalism you want to see? No involvement? No comment? No life to the piece whatsoever? Just cold, plain transcript? I credit readers with enough intelligence to enjoy an opinion for what it is and then decide if they agree with it or not.

6) I'm slightly upset that so many people are still prepared to think that such comments are acceptable in 2007. I would have hoped for more than a few lone voices to condemn such views on the Guardian of all places.

The interview has spawned an outpouring of views. Many people to some degree, on some occasions, seem pressurized by a rapid influx of people from other countries with their own distinct customs and beliefs, and are anxious that there be a fair system that involves some consultation and that doesn’t overly disadvantage ensconced inhabitants’ traditions. At the same time, there are robust cases made which convey the enrichment to a society that immigration brings, and suggesting that it might help multi-cultural societies to recognize not just one but a variety of identities in their midst. This is where associations such as the European Cultural Parliament could play the role of referee.

- The "European Cultural Parliament" is a forum for European personalities in the fields of arts, culture and letters for dialogue, discussions and debate about crucial and burning issues of importance for European co-operation, European democracy and European culture.
The belief of the "European Cultural Parliament" is that the European idea is based on a balance between respect for the diversity of cultures in Europe and cross-cultural tolerance and understanding.

The purpose of the "European Cultural Parliament" is to strengthen the role of cultural and artistic ideas in the debate on the future of Europe. The Parliament will stand for common values, cultural identity and diversity as well as tolerance and will promote bridge building with other cultures.

To this end the "European Cultural Parliament" offers a forum for regular debate on crucial issues between independent artists, writers, musicians, historians, philosophers, designers, architects and other cultural personalities from all European countries. The forum also provides a European meeting place, where important networks, ideas and initatives are created. – http://www.kulturparlament.com/index.php

Still on culture, new and old, here’s a curious snippet that caught my eye in today’s paper:

“In the wake of a letter written by Michael Collins being sold for £260,000 by Whyte’s [auctioneers] last week, there should be interest in a number of items included in a forthcoming auction of Irish literature and maps organised by Mealy’s.

Characteristically for these events, there are a great many lots – almost 1,000 – and while some have considerable literary significance, others are more notable for their poignancy. For example, as well as a newly-discovered letter to Anlo-Irish editor John Stuart Verschoyle (who is represented by a large archive of correspondence) from Oscar Wilde, there is also a framed lock of the latter’s hair. This was formerly in the possession of the late Mícheál MacLiammóir who was presened with the mememto in 1960 by Wilde’s son Vyvyan Holland after he had seen the acto in his one-man show The Importance of Being Oscar. It is estimated to fetch €4,000-€5,000; €900- €1,200 is given for an 1891 first edition of Wilde’s A House of Pomegranates and €500-€700 for an 1888 first edition of the same author’s The Happy Prince and Other Tales illustrated by Walter Crane and J. Hood.”

Happy shopping!

Oh brother -- here we go again and again and again and again and again and again and again -- “Morrissey’s parents who were immigrants”, “Morrissey’s parents are immigrants”, -- I mean what the hell does Morrissey’s parents have to do with the price of tea in “China”? Nobody cares - nobody cares, they should leave Morrissey’s parents out of it.

“Morrissey, currently living in Rome”, “Morrissey NOW living in Rome”.
“Morrissey now taken residency in Rome” -- give it a rest already.

“Morrissey, who used to live in LA”, “Morrissey recently living in LA”.

Why don’t they take this even a step further as I am getting bored with this -- why don’t you now begin tracing back where Morrissey’s third cousin’s great grandmother hailed from and more specifically what country their great grandchildren are taking up space in at the moment. Then go back and trace Morrissey’s family box and start printing where Morrissey’s great great great grandfather’s father lived and where HIS grandchildren are currently living.

You journalists who lie are also pathetic. You obviously have nothing better to do with your time. I mean banging your head against the wall would be more appropriate for you or standing on your head.

P.S. Did I mention Morrissey’s parents are immigrants.

Kate

They need to release the audio recording of the interviews. Then we can see if it's spun or not. Otherwise it's just a bunch of "he said / she said" nonsense.

Morrissey's comments were not racist and he expressed no hate for any race. His manager is continually on here also expressing this. However, for some reason unbeknown to me, this website has been seemingly swarmed by a bunch of chavs who seem to believe Morrissey WAS racist and agree with him. So many posts are appearing about how terrible immigration is etc which is expressly the opposite of what Morrissey said and what his manager is trying to fight so hard against being publicised (as it's incorrect). The morons who are using the eNeMEy's shameless article to piggyback their own hideously racist views are scum and are doing Morrissey a complete disservice - the only difference between them and the NME is that they believe Morrissey is a racist bastard and like that fact.

Message to all of you: Morrissey is no racist, he is not against immigration or multi-culturalism (and has explicitly stated so in the NME interview) and he does not need "fans" like you. Guilt by implication.. and association... please go away, the lot of you.

Hi, I'm a real music journalist.

what is this David Bowie you speak of.

Timmy x

This is just getting really embarrassing for both sides now. 'Note the kisses' - So petty!

Also, if the story about being unaware of 'Drive in Saturday' is true, who else would know about that apart from those present at the interview? This gets murkier and murkier and no one is going to look good here.

Thank you thank you thank you.
This is the first time in years that Moz hads had someone like you , looking out for him and not just prancing around and showing off(naming no names).
May you stay in this position forevermore, we love you.

fucking scumbag journalist

Merck, if you're reading this, please send a copy of that email to the Guardian and/or other newspapers and ask them to do a follow up piece to the story they ran today about Jonze condemning Moz.
I know it sounds rather daft, but I've felt quite ill since all this happened. When it's someone you support this vehemently their presence and perceived character becomes part of your life, thus it feels like I'm defending a friend. When I see that some papers (e.g. The Mirror) are running stories with blatant untruths like "Morrissey says the reason he won't come back to the UK is mass immigration" and papers like The Guardian are running comments from Jonze and the NME, then it feels like the mud will stick in many people's minds, as they have little or no prior knowledge of the man, nor did they read the original interivew.
However, if they see that Jonze was all sweetness and light before now, I'm sure they'll begin to smell a rat.
Having said all this, I don't think this debacle is harming Mozzer's public image; there was increased interest in books about him today, especially the new 'In Conversation' one. Maybe the public are more than wise to media trickery. Interestingly enough, there was another piece in today's Guardian about Martin Amis defending himself against charges of racism. A few weeks ago he made some very close to the bone comments about Muslims, regarding family size, lack of moderate religious sensibilty and that the community would have to accept suffering until it had ousted it's radical elements. He was taken to task over this ... by ONE literary critic. It hardly made a ripple in the media, aside from the comment pages in the broadsheets. Is this because Amis isn't as widely recognised as Morrissey? Or is it because he's an award winning, highly respected author and the son of a British literary stalwart, therefore he can escape largely unscathed?
It wouldn't be Mozzer were he not being tried by some sector of the inquisition (sorry, media) though; I swear Morrissey, in past lives you were probably stoned, burned at the stake, brought before firing squad and strapped to the ducking stool. Trouble loves you, indeed it does.

Journalists who lie
Stealing the money
Prospering with spite
Hate-In-A-Hurry
Oh, see how :

They're only trying to make their name
By spreading Biz myth-lies
About the ones who've made their name
Stick in the knife
Stick in the knife

Journalists who lie
The truth is, it happens
Praise, then crucify
Just follow this pattern
And see how :

They're only trying to make their name
By spreading sickening lies
About the ones who've made their name
Mate, give us the knife
Give us the knife

Journalists who lie
So happy in malice
Rock star - out of line
So happy in malice
Oh ...

Journalists who lie
So sick and belaboured
They only want to be favoured
They only want to be favoured
See how :

They're only trying to make their name
With unprovable lies
About the ones
Who've made their name

In the black hole
Of your soul
Still bargaining away the Truth
So easily
Truth

Journalists who lie
Stealing the money
Prospering with spite
And Hate-In-A-Hurry

Journalists who lie
The truth is, it happens
Praise, then crucify
Just follow this pattern

Journalists who lie
So sick and belaboured
They want to be favoured
They only want to be favoured

- Morrissey 1991

This story is not about Moz's comments anymore. It's not about racism or diversity. Rather its become a story about Moz and the NME.

There is no such thing as bad press, and this works both ways.

Who cares if Tim Jonze was syncophantic towards Merck after his interview. That has nothing to do with anything.

I can't imagine Moz would even want to live next door to a Canadian anyway.

are not helping Morrissey.

the kids running NME really need to get a lawyer. they don't have the experience to take this on. life is more than just a party boys. Grow up.

Bawhahahhahahhahahahhahaha!!!!

Open letter to Tim Jonze

Tim,

You are of course correct in everything you say! How dare we doubt you?

Morrissey is a man of very conservative beliefs; supports the monarchy, advocates fox hunting and meat eating and supports the notion of sexual ambiguity. How much more Tory can you get?

If anyone should be alluded to as someone who promotes hate crime, then can I suggest that you and your colleagues at NME are culpable....for a second time? The language that has been used is most incendiary. I can only hope that Morrissey's legal team put forward that you and the NME are those who should be questioned in regard to racist hate crime. Morrissey himself, based on your malicious comments will, I'm sure, receive hateful mail. And for what...supporting anti racist campaigns!? Thankfully, his many fans of all skin colours, will send messages of support which I hope will go in some way to minimise the hurt.

If you knew the man then you would know that he is not one to leave anything half said. If racism was his agenda we would all know about it in no uncertain terms, as we do his views on other matters, with less current newsworthiness.

You, yourself should be put forward for the fastest soft shoe shuffle backwards, ever. How did you manage it without falling over? Perhaps you'd be better suited to an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing?

Morrissey is quintessentially English and was once proud of that, he is less so now. The mass population shift over the last few years, throughout the world has changed English culture and other cultures into an homogeny. His notion of England has gone, much in the same way that EM Fosters England has gone. Are you and the NME saying that he should never talk about his feelings of Englishness? The UK government asks its citizens to accept other cultures and of course we should and do. We can at the same time be nostalgic for the culture that we grew up in, in much the same way we are asked to respect the cultures of others. Nostalgia does not equal racism.

I, as a fan of the Smiths and Morrissey (and not English), feel insulted that you think me so stupid as to support such a hateful action as racism. By implication, you and the NME are stating that I as a fan, support racism. I would be very careful indeed with such malicious implications.

Gary

As an aside, I believe you are Canadian, or have family here, or something of that nature, anyways perhaps you can ask Morrissey to come back to Canada now, even though he boycotted us, we have stood by him devoutly! Thank you!

I have it on good authority that Conor McNicholas and Tim Jonze have been given their marching orders by a senior official at IPC, this latest stunt was seen to be a bridge too far, and extremely damaging and humiliating for the publication in the long term.

chortle, snort, guffaw

Wouldn't it be ironic if Morrissey won his action against Conor McPrickolas, but was unable to collect any damages because CM had transferred all his assets into the names of his mother and sister ...

Hi Merck,

Thanks for posting our exchanges all over the internet. I think the NME believes I am on their side now. Of course I am on your and Morrissey's.

Maybe we can grab some desert one day. I know a place that does nice cakes.

Just wanted to see if I am good for the guest list for the Roundhouse gigs. A plus one would be good but I have some family visiting and would like a plus 4 for each night if not too much trouble.

Also can add the following (listed in order of height)

Jerry Toothpick + 1
Sarah Pickles + 1
Martin Bumpy + 3 (he takes pictures)
Joey Combover + 2
Eileen Sideways + 8

Oh and Conor is kind of afraid to ask, but if it is not too much trouble, would you sort him out as well?

Cheers,
Tim Tim

A problem remains. The NME coverage has probably benefitted both the magazine and Morrissey where publicity is concerned, though I feel that Morrissey fans have come out in force to boycott the issue this time while the retention of the free cd may not have boosted sales much either. The problem is that, without some formal retraction of the impression created, coverage elsewhere of the headlines determined by the NME are not salutory to Morrissey and this is likely to create a negative brand portraying him as inciting bad blood. The NME might consider at the same time the support for, and genuine interest in, the issues that Morrissey has raised from arenas generally regarded to be particulary even-handed and objective across English society despite the impulsive shallow responses of the gutter-press.

What could put all this to bed is not essentially an apology but a printed acknowledgement from the NME that their initial defensive reaction was off the mark, and that, as Worm’s re-construction of the alternative scenario evokes, Morrissey has a reasonable point concerning, as they themselves admit, a taboo subject which might contribute to a constructive debate (already initiated), and that no racism is implied. The Moz camp could concurrently issue a statement that despite the misunderstanding with the NME, Morrissey respects the rights of all persons equally and was merely making a point that certain English traditions in which he was raised, deserve to be safeguarded as much as any others (plus a lot of other points on completely unrelated issues that have regrettably sunk almost without trace in the aftermath).

If Mr Mercuriadis could approach the NME editor to test this strategem without the legal heavies, it might be worth the effort, and he’s clearly got the wherewithal to give it a shot. Some tips might be found here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conflict_resolution

(This sentence grabbed me – “Aggression is more common among relatives and within a group, than between groups.” What it means is that in reality we, from whereever we hail, have most to fear from our own kind; not from other races. It reminds me of Shane Meadows’ film “This is England”.)

when is that edition going to show up stateside?

cause i work in a bookshop.
and we've been kinda looking foward to burning it.

If Morrissey knows Merck is using "so-low" to help fight his case??? Hmmm....

i see that the nme are removing posts from their own message boards: http://www.nme.com/boards/showthread.php?t=84353&p age=3/ [nme.com] http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:PIzqESJUYugJ: www.nme.com/boards/showthread.php%3Ft%3D84353%26pa ge%3D3/ [64.233.183.104]

What a horrible little creep Tim Jonze is. I praise the day that brings him pain.

Did anyone notice that the Glasvegas single "Daddy's Gone", which was released on Sane Man recordings (run by Tim Jonze), got single of the week in NME recently?

Funny that. Particularly as it's a really, really ordinary track.

Typical free-loading scum bag two faced journalist, makes your skin crawl. this can surely leave no one in any doubt to the truth of this matter.
We are all behind you Merk and Moz, its time to rid the world of this poisonous vile rag, we've tolerated it's inept and self congratulatory rantings for far too long.
send him tickets for the uk gigs, there'll be a guaranteed welcome!

Cat got your tongue, love?

Go to myspace folks and tell this jerk your thoughts and views.

This is just hilarious! He clealry must have been in a state of shock and denial after the interview - the full force of Morrissey's words only sinking in a few days after he had enjoyed his free tickets to a Morrissey gig! Cheeky bastard!

I am very surprised that no one, especially our two beloved "journalists", noticed the vicious attack against autistic people,(or someone looking like he is autistic)coming from Morrissey. Have you read what he dared say? He does not especially likes Radiohead! Through Radiohead, he tries to attack the victims of that terrible illness.I see that as an attempt to ridicule ugly singers too. What a shame!!

That e mail proves nothing! The guy (Tim) previously said he is a big fan of Morrissey so its natural that he would suck up to Merck in the e mail for some more tickets. So lets be fair. Now let me add that I couldn't care less what Morrissey things about immigrants in England. If his wish in life is that the national borders be sealed it would not make a lick of difference to me. I follow Morrissey for his music, voice and even his idependent thinking.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/11/jonze_nm e_morrissey.html - near bottom of page in the comments.

timjonze
Comment No. 813920
December 2 3:39
Bangkok/tha Oh dear. Right. I was in New York writing a piece on Morrissey. Morrissey WAS charming. I WAS a big Smiths fan. I WAS nervous before the interview. All true. Of course I needed guest list for the gigs, it was essential to the story. The gigs were also very good. Great, in fact. I wrote all this in the original piece. Maybe one day I'll be able to print what I wrote and you will see that. Who knows.

Now, if I'd come screaming out of the interview shouting "HE'S USING THE LANGUAGE OF THE BNP, I'M GOING TO TELL THE WORLD" then I'd never have got to see the gigs (essential part of my brief) and I'd have had pressure from management to swing the piece in their favour which, although it wouldn't have made a difference, I'd sooner not have to put up with. There's no obligation to tell management that you don't like their artist's comments. It's his own stupid fault for spouting all that drivel. By now, Morrissey should really know how interviews work. He doesn't deserve warnings and copy approval. Christ, he wasn't even ASKED about immigration.

Journalists can't strop off in disgust during an interview, just because they don't agree with their interviewee. Their sole purpose of being there is for the readers of the magazine, to get the story as accurate as possible.

Also, I didn't write this blog for publicity as some people have suggested (come on, I'm getting a right load of abuse here, it's not much fun!). I wrote it simply because the story in the press that Moz had been stiched up by NME and I was trying to cover up his comments was NOT TRUE. Honestly, that is all. If something's not true, why not put it right?

I have no problem with Moz saying he is "nostalgic for his working class background" as some people have suggested. Sadly, he didn't say this. For someone so good with words, he certainly can't find the right ones if this was what he meant. I also have no problem with him saying the country has changed, or that he is against immigration for sensible reasons. All fine if that's what he thinks. But his language is not fine. The language he used isn't helpful to anyone in a sensible discussion about immigration. Also, I didn't say he was like a member of the BNP, either. I said he was using the LANGUAGE of the BNP. This is true. Check out their website.

Do some of you not find it just a little bit desperate that Merck is posting all these private emails as some kind of proof that his artist is in the right? He's not tackling the issue at all, just trying to muddy it by printing my emails to him. Why doesn't Moz make a comment on race instead, as Love Music Hate Racism have called for in a very well worded press release? Presumably this is up online somewhere?

Tim

Ps Thanks to those of you who have posted reasonable comments on this, either for or against my blog. The discussion on this is very important and interesting. It's a shame there's so much nonsense drowning it out

If you honestly don't think there is ANY problems at all with immigration, then I ask you to please go to London, walk into a crowded mosque, pull out a dildo and proclaim you have named it 'Mohamed'...see what happens.