Johnny Marr / Instagram: "Back in the same spot 38 years later. Camden Electric Ballroom. 21st May 1983."

Not a usual post from Marr:

FWD.

 

[Thewlis]

Jesus, you're such a pessimist. lets wait and see, i'm sure there will be thousands of people watching Johnny at those venues.

I do find it interesting that you don't post for weeks and then jump on thread trying hard to put Johnny down. His career is going well, he has just signed to BMG, has a new album due out, played to a massive crowd last weekend, will be playing to huge crowds in the US next year and the James Bond film is out this week which he has contributed to.

Not a pessimist just describing how opening acts usually play their shows.

And again, not putting Johnny down at all. He’s doing well. Just don’t agree that his solo career is going anywhere. The man is approaching 60, unlikely to have his best years ahead of him. It would be better to embrace his Smiths-past now that he still can in stead of trying to make a solo-name for himself.

 

[Surface]

Not a pessimist just describing how opening acts usually play their shows.

And again, not putting Johnny down at all. He’s doing well. Just don’t agree that his solo career is going anywhere. The man is approaching 60, unlikely to have his best years ahead of him. It would be better to embrace his Smiths-past now that he still can in stead of trying to make a solo-name for himself.

Thats fine, BMG seem to think differently. and as long as Johnny is happy doing what he's doing, that's all that matters.

 

[Thewlis]

Thats fine, BMG seem to think differently. and as long as Johnny is happy doing what he's doing, that's all that matters.

Indeed, same goes for Morrissey.
They can do what they like.

But we are free to comment on whatever it is they are doing. That’s what this site is for

 

[Deleted member 30524]

Here’s a video of 50k people bored shitless waiting for Courteeners.

Not bad for a warm up act eh !!

 

[Surface]

Not bad for a warm up act eh !!

Certainly a different atmosphere than the Morrissey Leeds gig just before lock down.

 

[Deleted member 30524]

Certainly a different atmosphere than the Morrissey Leeds gig just before lock down.

Just a bit olde boy...
Can remember being in my hotel room later on and wide awake about 4am and my mind was racing and I’m thinking what the 4uck has happened as I was slightly bemused with what I’d seen.
I enjoyed the show but doubts were starting to creep in about a few thing that I didn’t really care for ..

The song choice annoyed me greatly with Leeds being heavy on covers .

 

[Vegan Cro Spirit 444]

It would make zero sense if Morrissey, a man with a 33 year old solo career, lots of hit singles and albums, and a well-known pop cultural icon, would open for a band with less overall success than him. Marr, on the other hand, has spent most of his career in the background, so to speak, playing guitar in bands or with various singers, either as a proper band member or as a hired hand. He launched his solo career in 2013 (25 years later than Moz) and has since enjoyed a fair bit of success - but not as much as either Moz or the Courteeners, which hardly was the point. He is lauded and beloved and endlessly influential, though.

Point is: Your comparison makes no sense and it serves no one.

OY what a s!simpleton
FFS the dramatic one started his suco solo career in 2003 but failed due to being suco
he still is i suco mode, at 60 YR OLD opening for the TEENAGERS
the CVUNTEES what a SHANDA, a DISGRACE, he should put
a paper bag on his wigged head.
he started late than Moz because he sucked.

 

[Vegan Cro Spirit 444]

Johnny made a very big mistake by trying to sing and attempting to write lyrics. What is really confounding is that he seemed to be well aware of these limitations when taking his first steps at building a solo career, consequently teaming with Matt Johnson and then Bernard Sumner. These were good decisions for him and "Dusk" with Matt Johnson is Johnny's most - and many would say only - memorable post Smiths work that he played on. And yes, seeing Johnny playing guitar live is a lot of fun, but who exactly would want to hear that deficient singing voice along with the cringey lyrics that he now slings. When it is all said and done, Johnny's poor solo career decisions have inadvertently served to underscore how much Morrissey's solo career has excelled and thrived in comparison.

correct exposition. the Dramatic One aka aka J FOKO M,
can only play second banana he makes cringe lyrics that have no inner sense, hi hello hello hi. i mean WTF???

 

[Surface]

 

[Amy]

Dismissing Johnny now overlooks the incredible, barely-believable skyrocketing of his profile over the past 15 years. Before he joined Modest Mouse, he was forgotten. Electronic had long ended, he had no record deal, he was talking about the Smiths on nostalgia TV programmes like I Love 1984 and I Love the 80s, touring Boomslang in small clubs, he didn't even have a website.

And then out of the blue, he joins Modest Mouse and becomes a man on a mission. He's been almost ferociously ambitious ever since - solo albums, memoir, signature guitar, speaking tours, Glastonbury, a James Bond soundtrack, high-profile support slots, "Lifetime Achievement" awards. He's clawed his way back to his rightful place and worked hard to maintain the momentum - that can't be denied.

The true sadness of it is that one of the factors influencing that momentum has been Morrissey's grim and unexpected fall from grace. Now Johnny gets to be The Good Smith, the non-racist Smith, the Smith it's okay to like. He is absorbing some of the love and limelight that would have been Morrissey's in any other circumstance.

 

[vegan cro spirit .777]

Dismissing Johnny now overlooks the incredible, barely-believable skyrocketing of his profile over the past 15 years. Before he joined Modest Mouse, he was forgotten. Electronic had long ended, he had no record deal, he was talking about the Smiths on nostalgia TV programmes like I Love 1984 and I Love the 80s, touring Boomslang in small clubs, he didn't even have a website.

And then out of the blue, he joins Modest Mouse and becomes a man on a mission. He's been almost ferociously ambitious ever since - solo albums, memoir, signature guitar, speaking tours, Glastonbury, a James Bond soundtrack, high-profile support slots, "Lifetime Achievement" awards. He's clawed his way back to his rightful place and worked hard to maintain the momentum - that can't be denied.

The true sadness of it is that one of the factors influencing that momentum has been Morrissey's grim and unexpected fall from grace. Now Johnny gets to be The Good Smith, the non-racist Smith, the Smith it's okay to like. He is absorbing some of the love and limelight that would have been Morrissey's in any other circumstance.

yea, for sure, ever since he was booted from the suco mouse group Le
has been on a mission to become the next Tom Jones.

 

[Anonymous]

Johnny made a very big mistake by trying to sing and attempting to write lyrics. What is really confounding is that he seemed to be well aware of these limitations when taking his first steps at building a solo career, consequently teaming with Matt Johnson and then Bernard Sumner. These were good decisions for him and "Dusk" with Matt Johnson is Johnny's most - and many would say only - memorable post Smiths work that he played on. And yes, seeing Johnny playing guitar live is a lot of fun, but who exactly would want to hear that deficient singing voice along with the cringey lyrics that he now slings. When it is all said and done, Johnny's poor solo career decisions have inadvertently served to underscore how much Morrissey's solo career has excelled and thrived in comparison.

You’ve never been to a Johnny Marr show.

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry but that's bullshit, his solo songs go down a storm at his solo gigs. Where did you see him?

He’s never seen him. …and the wonks on here, going on about Melvis didn’t pony-up for Vegas, either. This site is filled with weak-kneed toddlers who want to be a part of something that ended before they were born.

Kids these days.

 

[Anonymous]

Not a pessimist just describing how opening acts usually play their shows.

And again, not putting Johnny down at all. He’s doing well. Just don’t agree that his solo career is going anywhere. The man is approaching 60, unlikely to have his best years ahead of him. It would be better to embrace his Smiths-past now that he still can in stead of trying to make a solo-name for himself.

…or, unlike Melvis, he can continue to do a number of things and produce amazing music with people from all over the spectrum. There’s a reason that your beloved Lurch can’t sell his own records, put together a proper band or pack a venue.

Melvis wants to whine. Marr wants to play.

mic drop. Fak Arf.

 

[Deleted member 30524]

…or, unlike Melvis, he can continue to do a number of things and produce amazing music with people from all over the spectrum. There’s a reason that your beloved Lurch can’t sell his own records, put together a proper band or pack a venue.

Melvis wants to whine. Marr wants to play.

mic drop. Fak Arf.

 

[Mike Rourke]

Not a pessimist just describing how opening acts usually play their shows.

And again, not putting Johnny down at all. He’s doing well. Just don’t agree that his solo career is going anywhere. The man is approaching 60, unlikely to have his best years ahead of him. It would be better to embrace his Smiths-past now that he still can in stead of trying to make a solo-name for himself.

I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere but in the UK, Marr is outperforming Morrissey in almost every aspect. His albums receive much more critical acclaim - Call the Comet scored 78/100 on average (Metacritic), Morrissey's last two have scored 59 and 62.
Since Morrissey's mass fan desertion (after he started publicly supporting far-right politics in 2018/2019) Marr's albums now sell more than Morrissey's and, most incredibly of all, radio stations will now happily play new songs with Johnny Marr singing but not with Morrissey singing.
And as Amy pointed out, he's benefiting hugely these days by being seen as the 'good guy from the Smiths'. Marr was in a pretty desperate state 10 years or so ago, hanging out with second division indie bands like the Cribs, but his stock has arguably never been higher than it currently is.
Still, I'm not a huge fan. Find his albums a struggle and, although I enjoy the live shows, he only seems to properly come alive when he sings Morrissey's lyrics. Be nice for him to at least occasionally acknowledge the contribution that Morrisey has made to his success.

 

[SuedeMoz]

Johnny Marr, being the icon and the gracious guy that he is, probably also thinks it's good fun to open for bands like The Killers and The Courteeners, bands that are hugely influenced by both him and The Smiths and bands that have sang The Smiths' praises time and again.

And I don't think Marr's art is affected by him opening for The Courteeners one way or the other.

That's what I was thinking as well. Maybe every decision for Johnny isn't ego-based and status-driven? For many years Johnny seemed content to be more of a background player and for the last few years he's been the frontman in his own solo career and he seems to be enjoying himself and thriving. Nothing to be sad about here.

 

[Vegan Cro Spirit 444]

…or, unlike Melvis, he can continue to do a number of things and produce amazing music with people from all over the spectrum. There’s a reason that your beloved Lurch can’t sell his own records, put together a proper band or pack a venue.

Melvis wants to whine. Marr wants to play.

mic drop. Fak Arf.

open for the cvunteers and killers if he wants to make a proper tour.
unbelievable an old twat like that and he cant make his own tour
he will be older than Fredo and still be opening for teenager groups
that have yet to be born.

 

[7Gary3]

I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere but in the UK, Marr is outperforming Morrissey in almost every aspect. His albums receive much more critical acclaim - Call the Comet scored 78/100 on average (Metacritic), Morrissey's last two have scored 59 and 62.
Since Morrissey's mass fan desertion (after he started publicly supporting far-right politics in 2018/2019) Marr's albums now sell more than Morrissey's and, most incredibly of all, radio stations will now happily play new songs with Johnny Marr singing but not with Morrissey singing.
And as Amy pointed out, he's benefiting hugely these days by being seen as the 'good guy from the Smiths'. Marr was in a pretty desperate state 10 years or so ago, hanging out with second division indie bands like the Cribs, but his stock has arguably never been higher than it currently is.
Still, I'm not a huge fan. Find his albums a struggle and, although I enjoy the live shows, he only seems to properly come alive when he sings Morrissey's lyrics. Be nice for him to at least occasionally acknowledge the contribution that Morrisey has made to his success.

"I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere but in the UK, Marr is outperforming Morrissey in almost every aspect."

And these stunning UK successes for Johnny have ultimately led to....an opening slot for The Courteeners!?!? Sigh
(But don't worry, this sudden hot streak has translated well to the States where Johnny will be...tagging along with The Killers on their tour! Keep in mind that Brandon Flowers is on record saying he prefers Morrissey's solo work to The Smiths. Ouch)

 

[Private Widdle]

I don't know what the situation is like elsewhere but in the UK, Marr is outperforming Morrissey in almost every aspect. His albums receive much more critical acclaim - Call the Comet scored 78/100 on average (Metacritic), Morrissey's last two have scored 59 and 62.

There can be little doubt, though, that this is at least partly due to the political interests of many faux-socialist media types. DogChain is excellent to my objective ears; Moz's best in decades. There is a childish inclination to overstate a liking for Marr in order to underline the self-congratulatory virtue signalling stance against Morrissey.