6. June 2014
TOUR: So Far For Johnny Marr Pt. 2
By Walter Price
Apparently I enjoy waxing nostalgic when it comes to my favorite music experiences as a grimy teen. I suppose Johnny Marr is no different as you you can kindly see below my bit from September 2013.
This is now and I have had more time soak in what is Marr’s best work in years, his debut solo effort The Messenger. A introspective joy of a pop/rock album. Pick it up.
Marr says he already has a new album in the works for later this year, telling the NME, “I’ve got a new record coming out in the end of September, the follow-up to last year’s,” he said. “I wanted to do the second one really quick. For me, it was just about being on tour and wanting to capture the spirit of the band and the audience before it wears off. I’d been touring for 11 months so I wanted to keep that same energy. I didn’t want to overthink it.”
Marr has also announced another round of tour dates for later this year. Bring it! Now get to reading my childhood memories of what was (and still is)….
So Far For Johnny Marr (18 September 2014)
I think it would be true if I wanted to say that my teenage years wouldn’t have been the same without Johnny Marr, Morrissey, Andy Rourke or Mike Joyce.
Sure their band, The Smiths, ensured that I’d wear black on the outside because black was how I felt on the inside. Which I didn’t, I never really felt all dark and gloomy no matter how hard I tried. But it was my scene, my gang man…The Smiths fed us the kind of lyrics and low-fi rock n’ roll we needed to stand out from the pop-rock hair-rock synth-pop that was killing much of radio, or so our goofball acid driven minds thought at the time.
As I got a bit older and The Smiths had imploded, I started to think that there would never be another band that would or could affect me the same way the moody boys from the UK had.
Apparently I moved on and so did the two driving forces behind The Smiths.
Morrissey went on to a successful recording, touring and bewildering quote providing career. As Johnny Marr went off to work with some of the most noteworthy bands of the past couple decades: Pearl Jam, The The, Electronic, The Cribs, Modest Mouse and so on (Full List here).
Now, after some 26 years or so, since the band called a stop to it all, Johnny Marr has gone solo! His Messenger was released in February to critical and chart success. Not even a glimpse of surprise entered my odd shaped skull.
This album is a full-on Marr guitar riff & lyric smorgasbord of awesomeness! Your ears will joyfully and instantly recognize the classic Marr guitar stylings and your soul will be drawn into his lyrical achievements on this release.
This album could have been released at anytime in the past 30 years and been so very relevant and that is amazing. You must find this out for yourself, you’ll come out a happy person from the experience.
Why did I start this rant in the first place…oh, yes. I read a very interesting interview Johnny did with Metro. this morning and he had some grand things to say.
“I can’t stand what passes itself off as R&B – it strikes me as completely aspiring to materialism and sentimentality.” -Johnn Marr (Metro)
He goes on about his dislike of Queen, Smiths covers/tributes and himself his new solo career.
You can check out the full METRO article HERE!
August 2014
1st August Camp Bestival Lulworth Castle Dorset
4th August Lokerse Feesten, Belgium
7th August Leopardstown Racecourse , Dublin
29th August Moseley Folk Festival, Birmingham
October 2014
13th – Lincoln, The Engine Shed
14th – Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
15th – Bexhill, De La Warr
17th – Wolverhampton, Civic Hall
18th – Cardiff, Great Hall
20th – O2 Academy Bournemouth
21st – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
23rd – O2 Academy Brixton London
24th – Bath, Pavilion
25th – O2 Apollo Manchester
27th – O2 Academy Glasgow
28th – O2 Academy Newcastle