Morrissey @ Webster Hall in 2009 (more by Tim Griffin)

Billboard has a new interview with Morrissey where they ask him about that Ramones review he wrote as a kid. Morrissey says:

I came clean about this many years ago. When I bought the Ramones first album on import, I was enraged with jealousy because I felt they had booted the Dolls off the map. I was 100% wrong. Three days after writing that Ramones piece, I realized that my love for the Ramones would out-live time itself. And it shall. Well, it virtually has already. If the Ramones were alive today, they'd be the biggest band in the world. It takes the world 30 years to catch on, doesn't it? I mean, look at poor Nico. Every modern teenager now seems to love Nico, yet while she was alive she couldn't afford a decent mattress.

The solo years have been more meaningful to the audiences than the Smiths years, but the press in England only write about me in relation to the Smiths era. This exhausts me. I wish the press were more willing to chronicle these recent tours and the most recent albums. But they won't do it. Their needle stuck at 'The Queen is Dead.' I've sold out large venues throughout five continents this year alone - with incredible reactions everywhere. Yet the press will only blather on about Smiths reunion rumors. You can well imagine the frustration. Thank God I have a strong chin.

Morrissey on 'Fallon'

Morrissey, as we mentioned he would, played Fallon last night (10/4), one night before his tour begins (tonight) in Boston. He covered Frankie Valli's "To Give (The Reason I Live)" as well as "You Have Killed Me" from 2006's Ringleader of the Tormentors. You can watch the videos below.

Was also recently mentioned that Morrissey claims Coachella will go vegetarian for a Smiths reunion. We however didn't mention the latest rumor  -- claiming that the Smiths actually were reuniting in 2013  --  which was, naturally, quickly denied by Morrissey's rep, but not before the Internet was full of new articles.

Morrissey plays three NYC shows next week: Radio City Music Hall on October 10 plus Terminal 5 on 10/11 and 10/12 all of which are sold-out but we're giving away a pair of tickets to Radio City.

Fallon videos are below...

Continue reading "Morrissey played 'Fallon' (video), begins tour this week"

In an interview with Herald Sun (via FACT), Morrissey claims that Coachella offered to go "100% vegetarian" if he would reunite with Johnny Marr and headline the festival as The Smiths:

At Coachella a few years you complained about the waft of burning flesh from a nearby barbeque. Has that been a problem since at outdoor shows?

Not at all, and interestingly the agents for Coachella offered a 100-per-cent vegetarian event for the following year if I would agree to headline with Johnny Marr as the Smiths. Fascinatingly they made it clear that they would 'not require' the Smiths' bass player or drummer ... which I thought certainly said something.

a young Morrissey, not a fan of the Ramones...

Steve Morrissey was not a fan of the Ramones! In other NYC Morrissey news:

Attention all fans of Morrissey:

On Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012 Morrissey will be performing on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Here is where you come in...

How would you like a chance to be close to Morrissey's performance on the show?

Click on the link below and you will be directed to our "Band Bench" Sweepstakes entry form. Enter for a chance to win seats on our band benches and an opportunity to surround the stage during Morrissey's performance.

Please make sure you include the following band code: MOR, in your entry form.

http://www.fallonbandbench.com/

Speaking of Morrissey, Shoplifters lady-helpers of the world unite! The Moz apparently came to a woman's aid when she fell while shopping at NYC book mecca The Strand.

Continue reading "Morrissey helped an old lady in the Strand, not a fan of the Ramones, playing Fallon before tour (attend the taping)"

Tickets to Morrissey's October 10 show at Radio City Music Hall went on sale Friday and, no surprise, sold out pretty much immediately. It may also not be a big surprise to learn that the Moz has added not one but two additional NYC shows: October 12 and 13 at Terminal 5. Kristeen Young will open both. Tickets go on sale Friday, June 29 at noon. No ticket link yet but you can keep checking Ticketmaster.

We also have a pair of tickets to give away for each show. Details are with all tour dates, below.

Continue reading "Morrissey adds two Terminal 5 shows (win tickets)"

Congrats goes out to Morrissey for having the most Fort Knox of all presale codes. Tickets go on presale at 10AM for Radio City Music Hall on October 10th (part of his North American tour) and the password is reportedly.... "Morrissey". If that doesn't work try your American Express card (tickets also go on AmEx presale at 10am).

We're also still running a contest for a pair of tickets to the Radio City show.

Morrissey will also play Atlantic City, NJ at House of Blues on 12/8 and while we don't have that presale code (anyone?), maybe "password" will work. (Probably not). Tickets are HERE.

All tour dates HERE.

Tickets ($45 - $95) for the Morrissey show happening October 10 at Radio City Music Hall go on sale Friday, June 22 at 10AM. No ticket link yet but there is a Bowery event page now.

Additionally, we're giving away a pair of tickets to the show. Details are below.

Continue reading "Morrissey Radio City tickets on sale Friday (win a pair!)"

Morrissey at Bass Concert Hall in Austin, Nov 2011 (more by Tim Griffin)

Morrissey has just announced a sizeable fall North American tour, including an NYC stop at Radio City Music Hall on October 10. No word on an on-sale date yet but you can keep checking Ticketmaster. All tour dates are with Kristeen Young (who is back on good terms with Moz we gather) and are listed below.

There's been a lot of news about the former Smiths singer who turned 53 last month. NME has publicly appologized for a 2007 article which Moz claimed portrayed him as a racist. (Claims that have dogged the singer since "Bengali in Platforms" on his solo debut Viva Hate.) Morrissey had filed a libel suit against the UK music weekly that was to have gone to court this summer, but has been dropped after NME published the following statement:

NME is pleased that it has buried the hatchet with Morrissey in respect of the libel case he brought against us in 2007.

Morrissey sued over an article based on interviews with him which he believed accused him of racism.
After an ongoing dialogue with Morrissey and his representatives, NME today publishes a clarification in the magazine and online which makes it clear that we do not believe we ever called Morrissey a racist and nor do we believe he is.

We have said sorry to Morrissey for any misunderstanding that may have arisen.
The settlement with Morrissey does not involve payment of any damages or legal costs (other than a small sum of costs which the court ordered NME to pay last year when we applied unsuccessfully to have the case struck out on grounds of delay).

Morrissey would like to stress that reports of his 'retirement', as excitably earmarked by several newspapers and websites are "wishful thinking" on behalf of the writers.

Our little covered wagon has lost drummer Matt Walker, who was eager to bring his term to an end. No bargainings could persuade him to stay, and his interest drew its last breath at Stockton. Behind the kit, Matt was a greyhound unleashed, and his great work on Years of refusal will always and forever speak up in his favor. His exit is sad, but he had no wish to continue, and a branch falls away.

All Morrissey tour dates are listed below.

Continue reading "Morrissey announces fall tour (dates), including Radio City"

today in NYC
* Sweet Fleet
* Santigold @ MoMA
* Tell Your Friends @ Lolita Bar
* Gossip, SSION, Creep @ Terminal 5
* Del Sol String Quartet @ The Stone
* Garbage, Apollo Riego @ Webster Hall
* Charlie Hunter, Scott Amendola @ The Stone
* Ketamines, The Numerators @ Mercury Lounge
* Wallpaper, Gordon Voidwell @ Bowery Ballroom
* Jack White, Alabama Shakes @ Roseland Ballroom
* Wet Ink Ensemble, Jacob Garchik Trio @ Littlefield
* Heliotropes, Mitten, Dead Stars @ Knitting Factory
* Bill Frisell's Beautiful Dreamers @ Village Vanguard
* Darcy James Argue's Secret Society @ Le Poisson Rouge
* Landlady, Bright Moments, Jinja Safari @ Mercury Lounge
* Hot Tub Panorama, Depths, Big Ups @ Big Snow Buffalo Lodge
* Smiths & Morrissey tribute w/ The Sons & Heirs @ Union Hall
* Hot Water Music, The Menzingers, Luther @ Gramercy Theatre
* Kommandant, Demonical, Dominium, Mutant Supremacy @ Saint Vitus
* Herman Dune (Yaya), The Fishermen Three, Turner Cody @ Union Pool
* Slash, Myles Kennedy, The Conspirators, Tab the Band @ Irving Plaza
* The Dreebs, California Bleeding, Iconchasm, The Reacharounds @ Death By Audio
* HPMYN, Weasel Walter, Peter Evans, Matt Nelson, Tom Blancarte, Katie Eastburn, Swarms (Nina Mehta of Rings), DJ Dutch E Germ, The Oracle DJs @ Zebulon

Follow @BrooklynVegan on Twitter.
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Also follow @bvAustin for just Austin stuff.

Be our friend on Facebook too, and BV Austin's friend on Facebook and BV Chicago's friend on Facebook.

In honor of Morrissey, who turns 53 today, there will be a Smiths & Morrissey tribute at Union Hall. Happy birthday Morrissey!

Hospitality took on Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" for the AV Club's "Undercover" series. Watch the live video below.

Gossip, who play Terminal 5 tonight (and are streaming the show live), made a video for "Move in the Right Direction," off their new album, Joyful Noise, which also came out today. Check it out below.

What else?

Continue reading "What's going on Tuesday?"

words & photos by Tim Griffin

Morrissey @ Bass Concert Hall

After a bumpy start (visa issues caused the the 11/10 Chicago show to be postponed), Morrissey began his North American tour in San Antonio, TX on Monday, and played the Bass Concert Hall in Austin the following night, last night, 11/15. He performed a mix of songs from The Smiths, as well as many from his solo career, to a full house at the Austin show. You can take a peak at the full setlist at the bottom of this post.

Kristeen Young, who has made amends with Morrissey since their previous tour which didn't go so well, opened the show with a short set.

Morrissey (with a bandaged right index finger due to his unfortunate encounter with a dog) opened with The Smiths' "I Want the One I Can't Have", setting the tone for the night. 26 years have passed since since its original release (1985), but it didn't show as Moz flexed his vocal prowess and delivered flawlessly.

His band (the bass drum was labeled 'ART HOUNDS') all wore matching Money t-shirts, and is the same lineup we've seen on previous tours: Boz Boorer, Solomon Walker, Matt Walker, Jesse Tobias, and Gustavo Manzur. Both Tobias and Manzur are from Austin.

Highlights included the between-song banter, as well as the alternative lyrics for Meat Is Murder: "Kill. Eat. Murder." After "I Know It's Over", a short break brought Morrissey back on stage with the band (and a changed shirt) for the finale, "Still Ill". The shirt was then thrown into the crowd, devoured, and never seen again.

Here are some Morrissey quotes from the show:

"I heard somebody laughing. It was me."
"To look at me you wouldn't really think it, but I'm much younger than that. You wouldn't really think it but action is my middle name."
"You may be very surprised to hear I have long horns of my own."
"I am one for whom there is no name."
"Do you have any comments? Well wait til you're asked!"
"Are you ready for a new president? Are you? I think most people in the hall are not ready for a new president. This is because the options are so bloody awful. Maybe the age of the president its dead."
"For God's sake whatever happens: Keep Austin Weird."

Continue reading "Morrissey now on tour, played Austin's Bass Concert Hall (pics, setlist & updated dates)"

William Fitzsimmons

The Wedding Present, Built To Spill's Doug Martsch, Tanya Donelly, Telekinesis, Stars, Katy Goodman, Kitten, William Fitzsimmons, and many others appear on "please, please, please," a new Smiths tribute album that will see the light of day in December via American Laundromat.

Meanwhile Morrissey is about to kick off a North American tour in Chicago on 11/10.

William Fitzsimmons' soft-spoken folk/rock is currently breaking hearts across the EU, a treak that will continue until just before the holidays. After a month off in January, he'll embark on another US tour in support of his recent LP Gold In The Shadow that will include dates from coast to coast and a stop at Bowery Ballroom on 2/18. Tickets for all US dates are currently on fan presale, with regular sale starting today for the Bowery Ballroom date.

All tour dates and some videos below...

Continue reading "William Fitzsimmons on new Smiths tribute album, announces tour (dates)"

Morrissey @ Coachella 2009 (more by Darren Kim)

"Morrissey sustained hand and arm injuries recently after being attacked by a dog in England. Morrissey has attended hospital in Malmo (Sweden) where x-rays reveal a fractured index finger on his right hand. The cracked bone is at the tip of the finger.
The injury will not affect upcoming shows.
Morrissey is delighted with the news that tickets for the London Palladium sold out in five minutes."
[True To You, July 11, 2011]

Continue reading "Morrissey healing from dog bite, announces North American tour (no East Coast or Canada though)"

"Paul Simon, Lee Scratch Perry and Jimmy Cliff play blinding sets at Glastonbury Saga stage. All over 70 Tony Benn oldest at 95 !" - James Osborn

"Best thing musically I saw at Glastonbury was probably SBTRKT on the Friday night ...quality stuff." - Joshua Saunders

Glastonbury 2011 (via Glastonbury.fm)

Glastonbury Festival took place in Worthy Farm in Pilton, England this past weekend. Tons of artists from all different backgrounds played the festival. The festival featured guest appearances, secret sets, and other interesting occurrences. Here are a few of the highlights.

Headliner Beyonce played a hits-heavy set with some pretty interesting cover song choices (King of Leon's "Sex on Fire," Etta James' "At Last"). But more even more interestingly, Tricky joined her on stage for a pretty inexplicable guest appearance on "Baby Boy." The trip-hop pioneer took a mic and uttered some sparse vocals as Beyonce and her backup singers belted the song. Video of the performance is below.

Speaking of things related to Massive Attack and Glastonbury, UK DJ Nick Warren, who would regularly DJ for Massive Attack in the '90s, said "My Highlight of Glastonbury Festival was James Blake live." James's set included the track "CMYK" off the 2010 EP of the same name in addition to tracks off his 2011 self-titled album. Some might say James's set was even explosive:

James Blake at Glastonbury

Festival attendees who were not part of the 75,000 watching Beyonce may have ended up at The Streets' set which took place at the same time. The show was apparently one of the Mike Skinner's last, who recently announced a breakup. Unfortunately, The Streets recently cancelled a trip NYC, but maybe they'll reschedule before saying their final goodbye. Video of The Streets' Glastonbury performance below.

This year's secret shows included UK Glastonbury vets Pulp and Radiohead.

It was Pulp's fourth Glastonbury appearance but their first for nine years and as they came on stage, frontman Jarvis Cocker told the crowd: 'We couldn't think of anything to get you so we brought the sunshine.'
After their set, which included some of their biggest hits including Disco 2000 and Common People, he added: 'Thanks Glastonbury, obviously it's been a very important place for us. When we played in '95 things took off for us and we went in a strange orbit around the earth, and now we're back home in one piece.' [Daily Mail]

Radiohead brought Portishead drummer Clive Deamer as a guest to play with Philip Selway. Their setlist was almost entirely made up of The King of Limbs and In Rainbows tracks, and recent non-album material, except for Amnesiac's "I Might Be Wrong." They also surprised fans of their earlier work by playing "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" as an encore. Video of "The Daily Mail" and "Bloom" and setlist below.

Cee Lo, unlike at Coachella, showed up on time for his set, which included a mix of his own material and Gnarls Barkley stuff. He also covered Black Sabbath twice. Big Boi got lost in London, but also ended up showing on time for his set. Like Cee Lo, he still embraces past projects and included a good amount of Outkast material. Big Boi-collaborator Janelle Monae played the festival too. Video of her performance of "Tightrope" below. Catch her and Cee Lo (but not Big Boi) for free at Afro-Punk in August.

Battles brought Matias Aguayo on stage to sing "Ice Cream," the song he recorded lead vocals for on their recently released Gloss Drop. Video below.

British folk/jazz legends Pentangle, who reunited in 2008 but have not been very busy since then, played the festival. Their lineup includes Bert Jansch who is currently a Drag City-recording artist and released The Black Swan on the label in 2006, over 30 years after Pentangle originally broke up. Lauren Laverne of BBC 6 interviewed the band. They talked about the resurgence of folk music and how Bert is a fan of Fleet Foxes (who also played Glastonbury). Video of the interview below.

SBTRKT at Glastonbury 2011 via facebook

SBTRKT, who visits NYC for the first time in July, played a live set (pictured above). His Young Turks labelmate Jamie xx (of The xx) played a set too. Jamie's "Far Nearer" single is on sale now. Pressings are limited. Check out a soundcloud stream of the track below.

Another UK post-dubstepper Jamie Woon played the festival. 3AM writes, "During my bum breaks, I caught Jamie Woon's set and it was fantastic. I've heard a lot about this chap, but haven't listened to his stuff before. Sitting in the middle of a field with a pounding head and cider was the perfect way to be introduced to Jamie's chilled but strong, powerful tunes."

Speaking of dubstep crossover, UK singer Katy B brought her dubstep-leaning pop to Glastonbury as well. She plays a private show in NYC tonight (6/27). It will be her first.

Little Dragon wowed the crowd, according to VH1 anyway:

For the UK at least, this performance of their new song "Ritual Union" is a real coming-out party for the band, who absolutely deserve to be heard on a much wider scale. It's really difficult to make smooth music work in the middle of the day at a big outdoor festival, but Little Dragon pulls it off in style.

UK anti-folkie Emmy the Great covered The Pixies' classic "Where Is My Mind" with help from Tim Wheeler of the punky brit-poppers Ash. Full setlist below.

On a more negative note,

A senior member of David Cameron's Tory constituency has been found dead in a portable toilet at the Glastonbury festival.

Christopher Shale, the chairman of West Oxfordshire Conservative Association, suffered a heart attack, sources believe.

His body was found in a portable toilet in the backstage area, where many celebrities and performers stay.

A story in the Mail on Sunday contained leaked sections of a strategy document Shale had drafted for David Cameron, in which he said the party can be perceived as "crass" and "always on the take".

Avon and Somerset police confirmed that the body of a man in his mid-50s had been found in the backstage area. A woman was seen being comforted by officers.

His body was found at 8.45am. An area between the Pyramid stage and the Other stage has been cordoned off. [Guardian]

Videos, soundcloud streams, setlists, and other stuff below...

Continue reading "Glastonbury 2011 happened (highlights, video, setlists, Tricky, SBTRKT, Radiohead, Pulp, Beyonce, Janelle Monae & more)"

Morrissey @ Webster Hall (more by Tim Griffin)

Singer Morrissey was discharged from hospital today after collapsing on stage on Saturday evening with apparent breathing difficulties.

The former Smiths frontman, 50, fell to the ground while performing his opening song, This Charming Man, at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Two band members carried him off stage and he was taken to Great Western Hospital at about 9pm. A spokeswoman for the hospital said: "Morrissey became unwell, and he was admitted overnight as a precautionary measure. He's been seen by the medical team, much improved and now discharged home."

The singer had opened his show with the words "Good evening ... probably", before launching into the song. He appeared to be in discomfort and "straining" to perform the song, and, as it finished, sank to his knees, according to witnesses at the gig. [Guardian]

Continue reading "Morrissey out of hospital after collapsing on stage in Swindon (video) ++ tour dates"

Morrissey @ Coachella 2009 (more by Darren Kim)

We Will Resume

I am very pleased to confirm that we will resume at Luxembourg this coming Friday (5 June), absorbed and collected. I have been reconstructed by a Wiltshire hospital and I am as close to good health as I'm likely to get.

I apologize to everyone caught up in the to-ing and fro-ing, but the disappointment of postponement is less than the disappointment of hearing me sing on one engine.

I should stress that nothing has been canceled. The four London concerts are repositioned in July, and both Birmingham and the Royal Albert Hall are October fixtures. I've endured a titanic struggle against an intolerable virus lately, and although Hull, Hartlepool and Manchester were nights that comprised a whole life, the physical limits were reached. False notes crush the soul.

Besides Luxembourg and beyond, I am excited about the October release of Swords, which is an 18-track compilation of b-side of singles from the last three albums. This will be a Polydor release.

Thanks to everyone who bought 'Years of Refusal'. We were the number one seller in the UK for the week of release, but, as with 'You Are The Quarry' and 'Your Arsenal', we were booted off the number one spot on the last hour of the final day. We cried.

I would like to point out that some passable creature is using my name and sending sharply chiseled replies to people via Twitter, MySpace and Facebook. This person is not me. Not enough happens in my life that I would wish to share it with others. I do not scan these sites - or whatever they are - so I can only hope that whoever is posing as me is at least worth talking to. Beware of false imitations.

Thanks for reading these unvarnished facts, and thanks for giving us some greatly enjoyable nights on the Refusal tour.

Absolutely Yours,
Morrissey.

Continue reading "a letter from Morrissey who is now 50 & doesn't use Twitter"

Kaki King @ BAM 2/7/09 (more by Natasha Ryan)

Steven Patrick Morrissey is turning 50 on May 22nd. Morrissey himself will be celebrating with a concert in his hometown of Manchester.

Others will be celebrating, that same night, right here in Brooklyn at Glasslands Gallery where Kaki King will play a "special set" at a Morrissey birthday celebration. Beta Beta, the Bodgea Girls and the Stationary Set are also on the bill. Flyer below.

This summer, King will be at Bonnaroo on June 12th and Northern California's music & yoga festival, Wanderlust, on Saturday, July 25th. The lineup for that fest includes Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Jenny Lewis, Amanda Palmer, Spoon, Broken Social Scene...and many more big "indie" names. The festival also offers yoga sessions with a full schedule of guest yogis. Both music+yoga tickets and music-only tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 12th.

Kaki King's newest record is her Mexican Teenagers EP, released March 30th by Cooking Vinyl.

Full details of both Morrissey's b-day and Wanderlust Festival, with posters, and Kaki King dates, below...

Continue reading "Morrissey turning 50, Kaki King celebrating @ Glasslands & playing the Wanderlust Festival (full 2009 lineup)"

photos by Darren Kim

"Coachella exists in two time zones: the event itself and its digital afterlife. The second zone, on cameras and blogs and Twitter and video-sharing sites, comes a heartbeat after the first, like a rockabilly slap-back echo. In its 10th year now, Coachella has been the music festival for the most technologically advanced teenagers-to-young-professionals, sniffing around the alternative mainstream. Even when the music doesn't present an argument they haven't heard before, they're controlling their own media representation of it; the act of listening is almost immediately contextualized into their own lives." [NY Times]

Continue reading "Coachella 2009 - Day 1 in Pictures "

"M.I.A. gave the main stage at Coachella her best shot. It just didn't work out.

After a strong start, a few hiccups, and a somewhat listless finale, the Grammy-nominated new mom declared at the end of her hour-long set in the desert that "next time I'm back in the tent."

"I want to be in the sweat," she said.

M.I.A. had performed twice in smaller tents at the music festival, in its tenth year and one of the nation's most prestigious.

She noted earlier, "I really don't know how to bring it on the main stage." And her live show staples--climbing on speakers, dancing body-to-body with the crowd--didn't quite fit the new digs. When she tried to bring some of the audience onstage Saturday night, security guards thwarted most fans.

M.I.A. ended up on a platform above the crowd performing "Bird Flu," and asked when it was over: "Can we get some order in the place? My baby's waiting." She gave birth to a son in February, a few days after the Grammys." [Times Standard]

Friday night Paul McCartney played "a two-and-a-half-hour performance of solo hits from the '70s, new songs released by his alter-ego the Fireman, plus 20 Beatles classics". Morrissey and Leonard Cohen played the same day.

Sunday is my favorite day. We'll have lots of pictures soon. In the meantime, below are more stills from the M.I.A. stream...

Continue reading "Coachella continues - M.I.A. played (some pics), day 3 today"

photos by Lori Baily

[Marianne Faithfull's] new album [Easy Come, Easy Go] adds some great new interpretations to her rich repertoire, including songs by older artists (Smokey Robinson, Billie Holiday) and younger ones (the Decemberists, Neko Case).

Faithfull found a particular kinship with Case. "I read that she took one line for her song from the 'Brothers Karamazov,'" the singer says. "That's something I would do." [NY Daily News]

Marianne played two shows at NYC's City Winery - March 27th and 28th. The pictures in this post are from the first. On March 31st she appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman where she performed the Decemberists' "The Crane Wife 3" (without Nick Cave who helps her sing it on the album).

The Letterman video, and everything else, below...

Continue reading "Marianne Faithfull - new covers album full of special guests, City Winery pics & Letterman (Decemberists) video"

"First I have to begin by saying that when Morrissey brought his baby Sebastien on stage, and holding him, it was the highlight of the night. Several months ago, I actually wrote on here, the board, that I wanted that. Soooo it was like a guardian angel read it. And I got it. The baby got so big. He is so big now and so much cuter than you, you can imagine. He is even more cute now than on the cover of YOR. Morrissey is so blessed to have his baby, and now I am.

Getting back to the show, Morrissey came out in a tuxedo. Stunning! Boz -- gorgeous. Jesse -- hot, etc., etc. Too many lyrical changes to mention. Ones above obviously. Oh yes, Morrissey asked Who am I? I'll try to remember them, this is hard, because for some reason, I am seeing me all over the place.
Right -- too much codeine, wine, everything. Haaaaa Morrissey was saying that there were certain people that should be in their graves, something like there were certain people that he thought should be in graves. I wanted to tell him, right there that you know who should be. Won't mention any names, but you all know. Hint -- they wreck instruments. Morrissey also used the word died. He said also that the band got beaten up, that they were all beat up. Like they were broken down. No, he said beaten up. Another comment was that he was saying, listing out loud people who played at Carnegie Hall. He also said something like none of you know this song, none of you heard of this person.

I thought being at Carnegie Hall would be a completely different experience. It wasn't. Anyways, Morrissey was absolutely outstanding, mind blowing when he sang the unexpected Mama, and the other perfect Carol. 1975, 75, 75, 7500. Dial a cliché.
Tuxedo, blue shirt, pink shirt. Jesse was amazing and hot. Boz was awesome and hot. Morrissey -- the most handsome Dad, mesmerizing, holding his beautiful baby. Above and beyond stunning.

Morrissey's voice was impeccable. Millions of handshakes, giving the microphone and responding to comments that did not particularly interest him. And who could blame him really. The world is full of crashing bores. He also said that. He insinuated that the people that attended that little tiny place where they were packed like sardines, that the fans were from planet KooKooo. He insinuated, in a matter of speaking. It is hard for me to remember everything word for word., I can't even remember what I did yesterday.

Comparing Carnegie to that other place. Right -- Morrissey proved that he can be with whoever he wants. I suspect this is because -- he is -- Morrissey I trust him. I, I trust him. Don't jump to the wrong conclusions. My analysis for the night -- he doesn't listen to anybody. I talked to him directed at how big Sebastien got. Sebastien is getting more cute. The baby is so big now compared to on YOR. I mean let's face it, you can't keep avoiding the truth. His son, a beautiful baby boy. I was just too jittery and sweaty to tell him what I wanted to. I'm just glad I got to talk to them. I have a lot on my mind, but when Morrissey said that he was thinking certain people should be in their graves, I only thought that about the one who wrecks bands, because, because he has done evil and despicable things to Morrissey. I won't mention the other people in my life, person, I mean. Because, because this was Morrissey's night, and Boz and Jesse. Their show. Their performance.
It was huge. I am so proud of him. I am so proud of Morrissey.

Thank You and Good Night. " [Kate2828 on the Morrissey board]

The Courteeners also played their own show at Mercury Lounge on March 17th, and they will do so again tonight, March 28th at Tribeca Grand Hotel. The GBH-promoted event is free with RSVP. Morrissey's Carnegie Hall setlist below...

Continue reading "Morrissey played Carnegie Hall (setlist), The Courteeners play Tribeca Grand tonight (free)"

photos by Tim Griffin

"Thought this was a really good show; but Morrissey did NOT seem to like the venue. Made a comment about his dressing room being "a closet and a bucket" and said early on in the show that a rat had fallen from the rafters and dropped on his head. Can kind of see his point; Webster's not very nice, but I thought it sounded really good. Crowd up front went pretty crazy during the encore; lots of people tried to get on stage, but only one made it as far as I can tell. Ten rows back from the front, on the left, was a psycho girl who picked a fight with another girl during "Seaside" (the most mellow song, which made their fighting that much more apparent) and she didn't let it go for the REST of the concert. Her boyfriend kept trying to contain her, but not much worked and this chick kept yelling things for the remainder. Outside, I saw her talking to her friends and being like, "Oh my god, can you BELIEVE those people?" But I had a good time; went alone, talked to some other people in line; good crowd; saw lots of young people which is nice (since I'm 39 and it's good to see Morrissey getting new, young fans). I thought the opening band was the best I'd ever seen at a Morrissey show. Compared to Phranc or the Planet Rockers from way back when, I thought the Courteeners were great; reminded me of Editors/The Futureheads. The only thing is that "How Soon is Now" is an amazing song on record, but live there's not much for the musicians to do. Boz spends most of his time just standing there. "Disco Dancer" ended in a total cacophony. Loved it. This was my tenth Morrissey show; was glad to finally get to double digits. Going to Carnegie tonight where, Morrissey said, if we try to move they'll cripple us. Oh well; we'll give it a go anyway." [Anonymous]

Morrissey plays his fourth and final NYC-area show on this tour, as stated above, tonight (3/26) at Carnegie Hall. Pictures and the setlist from Wellmont Theater HERE. Bowery Ballroom HERE. Webster Hall below...

Continue reading "Morrissey @ Webster Hall, NYC - pics & setlist"

photos by Chris La Putt

TOP 10 THINGS MORRISSEY SAID [SATURDAY] NIGHT

* 10. Does anybody have on their person a dead cat? I'd like to see if I can swing it.
* 9. If ever a venue was made for a gong, it's the Bowery Ballroom.
* 8. I'm the type who just can't find love.
* 7. Who am I? This is a question that many have died trying to answer... I can only be identified on a slab, by the scars of pain.
* 6. So what the hell happens now?
* 5. We're like a jealously guarded can of sardines.
* 4. Tonight's manifesto is...
* 3. Is he making fun of me? He will some day.
* 2. Written in pain!
* 1. In a few days, we will be in a posher part of town, so obviously none of you will be there. Nice meeting you.
[Newsday]

[Morrissey's] 80-minute show Saturday night at Bowery Ballroom - the smallest New York venue he has played in more than a decade - matches the album it supports well...harder, tougher and far more indie-rock than he has been in years.

Of course, Morrissey still knows how to deliver heartache more elegantly than almost anyone...And he also knows better than to mess with the signature sound of "How Soon Is Now?" which had the trademark guitar reverb turned up extra loud, though he has modified some lyrics to reflect the times. ("So you go and you stand on your own and you leave on your own and you cry" is followed by "Oh what a big surprise!" instead of "And you want to die!") Less drama, more jaded snarkiness! Who says Morrissey is not of these times?"

The Courteeners, who shared a bill with Moz for the first time at the Bowery show, will provide support for the rest of his US tour, which winds down in New Mexico on April 15th - just in time for The Courtneeners make an April 17th Coachella stop.

More Bowery Ballroom pictures and the setlist, below...

Continue reading "Morrissey & the Courteeners @ Bowery Ballroom in NYC - pics & setlist"

photos by Tim Griffin

Morrissey, the wry British icon of modern rock, tipped his hat to New Jersey by warbling the chorus of Bruce Springsteen's current single as he walked on stage at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair Monday night [3/16].

"I'm workin' on a dream," Morrissey crooned, with just the right combination of mockery and respect.

To hear Springsteen's optimistic line emanate from Morrissey, who tends more toward the Oscar Wilde/Joe Orton school of narrative, was flat-out funny. The brevity of the parody made it that much more effective.-[from Asbury Park Press]

Morrissey's physical language was mostly refined and small and practical: a raised hand for emphasis, some delicate cross-stepping five feet to the right or left. Twice he took off his well-fitting dress shirts, and both times he threw the shirt to the audience: an impressive expense for Montclair, on the 11th night of a 78-show tour. He was telling us that he sympathizes with anyone flighty enough to worship a pop star. He was also telling us, perhaps, that he has calculated his own worth.-[NYTimes]

More NJ Morrissey pictures below...

Continue reading "Morrissey @ Wellmont Theater in NJ - pics & setlist"

Morrissey @ the Warner Theater in DC - Mar 14, 2009 (lagosf)

"I started my yesterday off poorly at my Brazilain Jiu Jitsu tournament. I lost my matches in the advanced division due to some poor choices on my part. I had to go up a weight class (AGAIN) in my blue belt division but got some wins and made it to the finals, where I was submitted (AGAIN) by Matt Fuller. I gave him a good fight I feel though. I then went straight to DC to see Morrissey. He played a TON of stuff off the new album and the last couple albums. I like Years of Refusal a lot, so it didn't bother me. In fact, I think Im Throwing My Arms Around Paris was his best performance of the night. He opened with This Charming Man, one of my favorite songs of all time which pleased me greatly."
[This Charming Man]

Continue reading "Morrissey is here, Saturday was Washington DC (setlist)"

DOWNLOAD: Red Cortez - World At Rest (MP3)

The Tallest Man On Earth is playing a show at Union Hall on April 14th (tickets are on sale). That's one day before the previously announced show at Bowery Ballroom (tix still on sale).

Both NYC shows are with California's Libertines-U2-like band, Red Cortez (formerly The Weather Underground), who, as recently pointed out, are now on tour with Morrissey (sort of).

The music that [Red Cortez] makes is an odd mash of a multitude of things - including beat poetry, ragtag clothing, the fertile hope of equality, The Black Crowes, The Walkmen, peace marches and that audacity of human content that the new president-elect has been talking about and which has been a calling card since the 60s. [Daytrotter]

The Tallest Man on Earth will be at SXSW too, and one of the seven shows he's playing is Roky Erickson's seventh annual Psychedelic Ice Cream Social with Okkervil River who will be playing with Roky. The flyer, full lineup, some videos, and all tour dates below...

Continue reading "Tallest Man on Earth touring w/ Red Cortez, playing Union Hall, Roky Erickson's Ice Cream Social, other places"