 listen here intro / "boxing" (3:26) |
BLADE: And right now, something very special for all you fans of Steven Patrick Morrissey. As you know, he was in the studio with Jed the Fish — I think it was Thursday. After the interview with Jed, I managed to grab a hold of Mr. Morrissey and pull him into our music room, stick a DAT in his face and talk with him for a little while. And I’ve met Morrissey a number of times over the years, hung out with him a couple of times, went to a recording session with him. So, we were no strangers. In fact, the first thing he asked about was my mum in Torquay which is my hometown in England. So, he was really nice and really up for the interview. But just the same I thought, before you talk to someone like Morrissey you gotta relax him. You can’t go straight into the questions like, "Are you going to tour?" You know, "Why did you cancel?", etc. etc. So, the first thing I asked Morrissey was about one of his favorite sports which, believe it or not, is boxing. I said to Morrissey, "You like boxing, don’t you?" MORRISSEY: Yes, uhhh... B: Did you see the fight on Saturday? M: Of course I did, yes. I was slavering away. B: What did you think? M: I thought it was extraordinary, really extraordinary, and I think it will go down as a landmark fight. People will talk about it for years. I thought Tyson was extremely badly behaved. I think he should be arrested because if I walked onto the street and bit somebody’s ear I’m sure I’d be arrested. I don’t think they’d hand me 27 million dollars and you know say, "See you at the next fight." So, I think he’s — I think it’s horrible also for — I mean if you go to boxing matches you realize that lots of young kids go to boxing matches, and they absolutely worship people like Tyson. And for him to do that, which was completely unnecessary, ummm I just thought was terrible. And his reasoning, later when he was interviewed, was completely unacceptable. Do you agree? B: Oh, absolutely! In fact I spent the next day on the web trying to find the e-mail addresses to the MGM Grand, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, (M murmurs yes, yes throughout) etc. to voice my disapproval. I actually went to the fight (M: Oh!) at the uh...I have my ticket stub signed by Floyd Patterson -- (M: Oh, my God!) -- former heavyweight champion. And I watched Sugar Ray Leonard almost burst into tears because of what was done to boxing. And Ken Norton, another champion, was hitting his hand just wanting to get down there and sort out Tyson. M: Well, the thing is that he really was losing, I think, Tyson, or if not losing, he wasn’t doing his best. And I just thought it was so bad. I mean if it was the tenth round or the, you know, eleventh round or whatever it would’ve been slightly less horrific, I think. But it just seemed like such a bad thing to do. B: Yeah. Do you feel a responsibility? Because in a way, just as Tyson is looked at in boxing, and Holyfield and the other leaders, you’re looked at by the fans in music. M: Ummm...well, I don’t know. He’s on a massive world stage, isn’t he, and so forth. That’s why it’s more shocking to me when he behaves like that. Obviously I’m nothing in popularity compared to Tyson. B: But your fans love you as much or more than any Tyson fans love him. M: Yes, I think that’s true. But I think I’m a reasonably responsible person. I don’t think I’d do anything horrible. ["Disappointed" cuts in immediately]
|
listen here "label hopping" / "California" (2:30) |
B: So, how’s your life
been over the last three years? 'Cause it’s been
kind of low-profile. We’ll hear little snippets
about Steven Patrick Morrissey occasionally, but— M: Well, I haven’t played here for five years, which is a very long time, and I think it’s six years since I was actually here at KROQ. So yes, I’ve been, as they say here, label-hopping which ummm — between Parlophone-EMI, RCA, Reprise, and now I’m on Mercury. So it’s — those times take a long time. And it’s important to me not to move until I feel confidence. So... B: An impression that a lot of people get is that for the last few years in between the label-hopping and inevitable, you know, horrible meetings with attorneys (M: Yes) and music industry people (M: Yes) that you have spent your life kind of locked up in seclusion. M: I think I always did. But these days I don’t really get press in England, and that’s very noticeable. I mean I don’t get airplay, but I never did; and the Smiths never did. But I think that perhaps certainly because the press thing has practically disappeared I think that people assume that I have. But I actually haven’t, and I don’t really mind the press disappearing. B: So, did you spend time in seclusion or did you--? M: Eh umm, no, not really, not intentionally. I’m still the same person that I ever was. I’m a very secluded person. But I’m not neurotic or anything {gasps laughter quietly}. B: Because occasionally as I mentioned a little earlier to you before we started rolling tape was I would get reports every so often of you being in town. (M: Yes) I tend not to put those on the air cause those tend to be rumours (M: Uh, well they--) And umm, I mean do you travel a lot? Do you enjoy--? M: I just come here really. I was here about eight times last year, and I think I’ve been six times this year. But this is the only place I enjoy apart from London. So, I just come here, and I just drive around and take things very easily. I’m not a media person by any means. B: Do you enjoy that time off and that relaxation? M: Yes, I do. It’s very, very important to me — just to see the world revolving slowly...{laughs} B: You like to do — you said drive around. You like to do drives up the coast like California [Highway] One? M: Yes, yes. I find it really beautiful, especially with the music blaring and time on my hands... ["There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" cuts in] |