On behalf of THE SMITHS, Morrissey meets the fanzine press. He faces questions about love, Band Aid, the Moors Murderers and the band’s own unique position in the world. “There are people I admire,” he says, “but ultimately we are alone.”
The following interview was conducted by a panel of fanzine writers including Dave Haslam from Debris, Tim Barlow from Eat Yourself Fitter, Rob Deacon from Abstract, Lesley O’Toole from Inside Out, Jon Story from Bucketfull Of Brains, and Robert Watts from Running Order. With Melody Maker editor Allan Jones as acting chairman, the panel met at Rough Trade’s London offices on Thursday, February 14, 1985. What happened next is what happens next…
RUNNING ORDER: why have you decided to do this with fanzine writers?
Morrissey : We had lots of requests and it seemed really snotty to ignore them. It seems like lots of people felt that as soon as we began to chart and became big business, we would forget all our original ideals. And I get so many letters from people who are hysterical and frustrated and it seems that The Smiths are under so much pressure. The implications seems to be, “When will The Smiths fall down? When will they forget everybody? When will they turn into some rigid, surfy pop group?” Which will never happen. And I get really tired of people suggesting it will… It seems that every single day I have to go before the courts and explain so many things. I think The Smiths are under a great deal of pressure. More pressure than any other group.
INSIDE OUT: Why?
I think probably because so many people had so much faith in us and because we live in such a bleak world, people really believed that that faith couldn’t really have been authentic and eventually the cloak would fall and The Smiths would turn into… well, something else…
IO: What is the greatest pressure on you?
This story is from the March 2017 edition of The History of Rock.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2017 edition of The History of Rock.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Music With a Capital 'M'
The prolific HÜSKER DÜ have escaped the strictures of hardcore, to make truly remarkable music. “There’s nothing incredibly new about it,” says BOB MOULD. “We’re just doing what we do the best we can.”
All Pop is Political
“To me, pop and the whole notion of pleasure, sex, entertainment and leisure is political,” says SCRITTI POLITTI’s GREEN GARTSIDE. “So Dead Or Alive with their swirling clothes have as much political resonance as Billy Bragg.” Charming as he is, Gartside’s work doesn’t please everyone.
I Think I Hold My Ground
NME OCT 5 Introducing a product of NYC coffee society… Suzanne Vega.
It's Better To Burn Hard Than To Rot
With his reputation on a high, a tangential interview reveals a lot about the unique worldview and oddball technique of TOM WAITS. On the release of Rain Dogs, Tom talks white socks, neuroscience and his new guitarist, Keith Richards. “We met in a woman’s lingerie shop…”
Business is Booming
In a university dorm room, a rap dynasty is emerging. NME travels to New York to interview wordsmiths RuN DMC, along the way meeting producers Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons – the brains behind Def Jam. “The street wants something specific,” says Simmons.
I Don't Think Keith Was Pleased
MICK JAGGER makes a solo album. In Paris, the singer talks dodging paparazzi, the outrageous young Rolling Stones, and the miners’ strike. He even touches on his solo prospects. “You can’t expect to get No 1s all the time,” he says, “and if you do you’re a cunt.”
I'm Prepared to Go Down With the Ship
On behalf of THE SMITHS, Morrissey meets the fanzine press. He faces questions about love, Band Aid, the Moors Murderers and the band’s own unique position in the world. “There are people I admire,” he says, “but ultimately we are alone.”
Ambition. Greed. Money
Most of these are missing from THE POGUES as they stagger across Europe on tour. “Even if I drink myself to death doing this,” says SHANE MACGOWAN, “I’d still prefer that to the boring, horrible jobs I had to do before this band.”
Pandemonium
MM July 13 Bruce Springsteen seduces the masses.
