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Johnny Marr update: debut album finished, details
Posted on Thu, Jan 27 2000 at 9:32 a.m. PST
by David T. <[email protected]>
First with the link to the article at allstar is Mark Consolla. Part 2 to come later today:

Ex-Smith's Guitarist Johnny Marr Returns With The Healers

excerpt:

Marr, who's shooting for a summer release, wrote and sings all the tracks on the as-yet-untitled album (Play Dumb is a possibility), which is still being shopped to labels on both sides of the pond. Marr describes the sound as "a space-age Santana without sounding anything like him" and his vocals -- a first for the guitarist -- as nothing short of genius. "Incredible," he says somewhat jokingly. "Absolutely incredible. It has to be heard to be believed. It's a bit strange when a guitar player starts to sing because of the nature of guitar heroism. It's almost like in a '50s movie when some kid is mute and then in the last scene he goes, 'Mama!' It's like, 'Oh my God! He can speak!'"

full article

update (Jan. 29) - Johnny Marr Discusses New Album: Part Two

From Pep:

At the end of this article in the Sunday, January 23, 2000 LA Times, there was a blurb on what Johnny Marr is up to.

----

BACK TO WORK: Johnny Marr, the guitarist who was the architect of the Smiths' sound and therefore a key figure of '80s British rock, sat out much of the '90s. But now he's gearing up for a big return. Marr has just finished recording his debut solo album with his new band, the Healers, which in addition to him on guitar and vocals features drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son, who filled the Keith Moon role in the recent Who reunion); and former Dub Pistols member and William Orbit collaborator Lee Spencer on synthesizers.

Jay Schatz, a marketing and sales executive at MCA-distributed Radioactive Records, is a longtime friend of Marr and is helping him shop the project. Schatz describes the music as "guitar-driven, high-tech rock with dance and glam influences," and notes that Marr is enthusiastic about returning to the concert touring world. The last time he toured was with Electronic, his sometimes-partnership with New Order's Bernard Sumner, in 1991. Plans are being made for a possible series of dates in L.A. clubs to get things going in spring.

Johnny Marr answers a lot of questions in the recent Q&A on his official site, from Bernard:

www.jmarr.com has been updated with news and lots of questions to your answers concerning The Smiths, Oasis, Beck, Morrissey, ...

* item archived - comments / notes can no longer be added.

Comments / Notes


Oh how I love the Mozzer, but lest we not forget that Mr. Marr was the genius behind The Smiths. Nobody plays guitar like that, on another level altogether. Steven was (and is) merely a charisma act. And what a wonderful, divine charisma it is.

WATT WHITE <[email protected]>
NYC - Thu, Jan 27, 2000 at 11:56:49 (PST) | #1


johnny is a genious musician--we all know that--but why does he even bother answering questions when he's so scared to open up? what a dork. I hope he doesn't write lyrix with the same fear of vulnerability. :)

the closer I get
- Thu, Jan 27, 2000 at 13:25:52 (PST) | #2


Yes, I agree with you. This format of speaking with Mr. Marr has potential, but its success his wholly contingent on his answers. He seems bothered to answer the GOOD questions.

Allen
Minneapolis, USA - Thu, Jan 27, 2000 at 13:52:20 (PST) | #3


the most interesting thing he said about himself is that he wakes up at 6AM and stares at a wall for an hour and then listens to his work.

rags to rags
- Thu, Jan 27, 2000 at 15:45:47 (PST) | #4


Marr is a has-been. His long boring guitar solos tainted many of Morrissey's genius lyrics. That's why he's been able to do nothing since the split up, except work with Bernard Sumner on his little side project. The best thing that could've ever happened to Morrissey was for The Smiths to break up because then he was able to dictate what went on with his band and what direction they were moving in. Alain and Boz have done an outstanding job, and they are well aware of the fact that Morrissey is THE MAN, thus, no ego battles. I wish Johnny well in his upcoming tour which will consist of playing local bars and selling merchandise for gas money.

Manny
- Thu, Jan 27, 2000 at 17:35:13 (PST) | #5


Johnny Marr deliberately didn't put guitar solos on his songs, long and boring or not. I remember reading an interview with him when he stated that he was proud that he hadn't fallen into cliched solos and that the first one he did, Paint A Vulgar Picture, you were able to sing along to. I'm looking forward to his new material and if you don't get it, him or what he says, you would be better advised to keep shut.

gimpy chimp
england - Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 05:23:23 (PST) | #6


I loved that '50s movie quote. I bet Morrissey did too.

Our Hank
- Fri, Jan 28, 2000 at 10:02:51 (PST) | #7


Isn't this a Morrissey-solo web site.... who care what happens to john.... I don't give a flying fork off a spinning donut weather he is back on his feet again or Stuck in prison as "Mr. Big's" prison puppy... Ha HAHAHAHHAHHHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAA

HA HA

BIRKENHEAD
- Sun, Jan 30, 2000 at 21:14:31 (PST) | #8


There is no need to pick on Johnny. He is GREAT and I can't wait to hear the new album!! Don't be a bunch of bastards!

Daniel
NYC - Mon, Jan 31, 2000 at 10:27:36 (PST) | #9


I respect Johnny a lot, at least he answers to our questions, when is Sir M going to do the same thing? Or does he think he's better than the rest and we're just scum? So... all my respect to Johnny and the people behind his site, they sure do their best to get things going.

Frank <[email protected]>
- Mon, Jan 31, 2000 at 12:04:13 (PST) | #10


is there really a need for morrissey to answer questions on a web page? i can just imagine all the questions he would get, 'what is 'song x' about?' , 'so are you gay, or what?' , 'i am really depressed and your music...' personally I would not want to answer these questions if i
were morrissey. especially since these are the same questions asked of him in interviews which is often times clear he would rather not answer. just because the option is there for him to do it, or that fact that johnny marr has done it does not make it necessary for morrissey to do so.

besides marr's answers have not always been the most thought provoking have they? but then i suppose neither have the majority of the questions.

spaceboy <[email protected]>
space - Mon, Jan 31, 2000 at 16:24:44 (PST) | #11


Johnny's talent has always been lost on the emotionally deficient....fortunately he does not rely on their comments to give himself any self-worth. His work speaks for itself....as I'm sure your very own idol would agree, now would you care to change your opinion of him...you followers?

Eddie Riff
- Tue, Feb 01, 2000 at 09:25:19 (PST) | #12



* return to Morrissey-solo