'I feel like I've been had': Morrissey's collaborators respond to his politics - The Guardian

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'I feel like I've been had': Morrissey's collaborators respond to his politics - The Guardian
The former Smiths singer’s new album features guest spots from Billie Joe Armstrong and Grizzly Bear’s Ed Droste. Are they not put off by his increasingly unpleasant right-wing stance?

Excerpt:

As US music magazine the Fader asked: “What possible reason could any of these people have for lining up behind Morrissey now?”

Droste declined to comment. The only artist willing to speak with the Guardian was Canadian vocalist Ariel Engle, who performs with cult indie outfit Broken Social Scene. She received a call from the American producer Joe Chiccarelli asking her to contribute backing vocals for a cover of Joni Mitchell’s Don’t Interrupt the Sorrow. “I thought, ‘Oh the Smiths, sure’,” she says. “It was $500 for two hours’ work.”

Engle says she didn’t become aware of Morrissey’s political views until the album was announced and a friend emailed to question her involvement. “It’s a very weak argument to claim ignorance,” she says, “but it is my argument. It’s not an excuse but it happens to be the truth.”

Morrissey’s manager, Peter Katsis, says he is unaware of statements made by any guest vocalists, but that the intention of the covers album was supposed to be fun. “This is where his head is at,” he says. “Maybe enough has been said with the last few albums being political.” Of Morrissey’s political views, Katsis says: “I manage his artistic career and sometimes I have to deal with things he says, but it’s not for me to comment.”

Chiccarelli echoes Katsis’s sentiment. “I can’t speak to Moz’s politics,” he says. “I’m a record-maker. I’ve known him 10 years and he’s been a gentleman and a pleasure. I consider him a friend.” When asked about the far-right figures for whom Morrissey has expressed support, Chiccarelli says: “I’d really have to research it and see if it crossed a particular line for me.”

Engle says that learning of Morrissey’s political opinions has left a “bad taste”, and that she stands in opposition to his views. “The inflammatory things he says are not my politics. I think he’s completely out of line. I grew up around multiculturalism and I am the product of multiculturalism and immigration. I feel like I’ve been had, but it’s my fault.”

The American singer LP offered a statement through a PR representative: “As I’m a huge fan of his music and poetry, I was honoured to be asked to collaborate on the album.” Representatives for Lydia Night of California band the Regrettes offered no comment, but the 18-year-old told punk magazine Kerrang!: “I’ve grown up loving the Smiths – my cat’s name is Morrissey!” Representatives for Armstrong said he was in the studio and therefore unreachable.

The guest stars on California Son are all North American, suggesting a difference between perceptions of the former Smiths frontman in the US and UK. Katsis, who is American, sees the critical focus on Morrissey’s politics as a British preoccupation.

“I don’t think they know enough about it to care about it,” he says of Morrissey’s US fans. “I don’t feel knowledgable enough to comment on British politics, therefore it’s probably not as important to me or the international fans as it is to UK fans. This whole thing has had me perplexed. The subjects are very complicated and dividing.”

The figures bear out Morrissey’s enduring support across the Atlantic. He ended 2018 with arena shows in North and South America, and has announced his first Canadian tour in 20 years for this April. In November 2017, Los Angeles City Council declared 10 November “Morrissey Day”.

“In America, he tends to be seen as the rock star who sang about queer life and spoke openly about feminism when nobody else did,” says Rolling Stone critic Rob Sheffield. “These two images define him, and he’s still seen in terms of his pioneering place in history. His grumpy old age is not really held against him. Americans tend not to follow UK politics very closely, so when he makes mind-blowingly offensive statements there might be outrage or humiliation for a few days, or hours, but then it’s back to listening to The Queen Is Dead”.




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If three black motherf***ers were approaching on your side of a very dark street you'd probably run screaming like a girl. White saviour behaviour.

Actually, I do so daily. If the three black motherf***ers knew who you were and had read what you write about them regularly, that it's safe to say you'd be the one crapping in your kecks and backtracking with swiftness in a vain, laughable attempt to save yourself.
And you know it too....don't you? :brows:
 
Where in Manchester do you suggest he plays?
Well on his 50th it was 2 nights at the Apollo, I wouldn't say no to that again, the Apollo is still probably the best venue in Manchester. I'd say forget the Castlefield Bowl, forget the Arena, Albert Hall is great, but too small, don't recall Moz playing the Academy??, What's your choice Surface?
 
If three black motherf***ers were approaching on your side of a very dark street you'd probably run screaming like a girl. White saviour behaviour.

Actually, I do so every day. Nothing ever happens to me. Were the three black motherf***ers to know what you write about those like them regularly, it's very safe to say that you will found crapping in your pants and denying all you've ever wrote, as a smile spreads across their faces.
That'd be a sight to behold on one of those CCTV programmes on Freeview, as narrated by Jamie Theakston. ✌️
 
Well on his 50th it was 2 nights at the Apollo, I wouldn't say no to that again, the Apollo is still probably the best venue in Manchester. I'd say forget the Castlefield Bowl, forget the Arena, Albert Hall is great, but too small, don't recall Moz playing the Academy??, What's your choice Surface?

Really like the Apollo but Ritz, Academy and Albert Hall are nearer the city centre. I took my daughter to see Blossoms at the Victoria Warehouse and that’s a decent venue. Thinking about Morrissey and his liking of nice buildings it would be the Albert Hall but Victoria Warehouse is nearer to where he grew up.
 
If Moz played Albert Hall, oh my god, that would be incredible, not sure of the capacity, maybe 3 nights there??, it's gonna happen though, I don't see Morrissey not playing in Manchester on his 60th, big celebration for all of us.
 
After today’s auction he can afford a large extension.......

It’s already massive, worth at least a couple of million quid. Did your fella manage to get anything. A chunk of the cash is going toward epilepsy research I think, which is real nice seeing as it played a part in Ian’s turmoil.
 
Ha! Course not, that was a well-thought out and reasoned piece. I do fall into the category of someone who doesn't have any Smiths and Moz stuff anymore, but I can't blame it on his Nazi-aggrandisement, I gave them all away before that happened.
Yet you still lurk around these dark halls dragging your knuckles and feeding us poor souls your weevil infested nuggets of bullshit. What would we do without you?
 
It’s already massive, worth at least a couple of million quid. Did your fella manage to get anything. A chunk of the cash is going toward epilepsy research I think, which is real nice seeing as it played a part in Ian’s turmoil.
There were representatives from the epilepsy charity there today and thanked him during a question and answer session before the sale. We came away empty handed, hubby wanted a signed single ...it went for £11,800.....also some chimes used on Atmosphere, guide price of £500, they went eventually for £5,800, he did bid but thank goodness he was out bid.
 
There were representatives from the epilepsy charity there today and thanked him during a question and answer session before the sale. We came away empty handed, hubby wanted a signed single ...it went for £11,800.....also some chimes used on Atmosphere, guide price of £500, they went eventually for £5,800, he did bid but thank goodness he was out bid.

Bloody hell, there must have been some serious collectors there. Saying that a lot of Hookys stuff were one offs I suppose.
 
Actually, I do so daily. If the three black motherf***ers knew who you were and had read what you write about them regularly, that it's safe to say you'd be the one crapping in your kecks and backtracking with swiftness in a vain, laughable attempt to save yourself.
And you know it too....don't you? :brows:

WRONG.

You are one of David Lammy's 'White Saviours' and you know it.
 
Actually, I do so daily. If the three black motherf***ers knew who you were and had read what you write about them regularly, that it's safe to say you'd be the one crapping in your kecks and backtracking with swiftness in a vain, laughable attempt to save yourself.
And you know it too....don't you? :brows:

WTF Skinny/NDSP who are you now, SUPERFLY?:crazy:
 
Bloody hell, there must have been some serious collectors there.
An equipment box went for £21,000, even posters were going for thousands. Hubby has some Joy Division DMs, he was pleased when Peter Hooks’ pair of the same boots sold for about £400, he doesn’t realise his won’t be worth quite as much...... I had my photo taken with Peter Hook, he seemed very nice
 
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