“A NEW KIND OF GUITAR HERO”
Total Guitar|April 2022
How Johnny Marr re-articulated the guitar for a whole generation, by the Manic Street Preachers’ James Dean Bradfield.
Grant Moon
“A NEW KIND OF GUITAR HERO”

The Smiths really kicked in with me in 1984 with Hatful Of Hollow, which is still a lot of people’s favourite Smiths album. They hadn’t become a massive band at that point, hadn’t had millions of hits, so they put this sort of strange compilation out full of sessions and one-off singles, and it’s brilliant.

This Charming Man is what really switched me on to them. It was so offensive, but so erudite and articulate – I absolutely loved it as soon as I heard the intro. Morrissey was choosing different notes, words and phrases to everybody else. Mike Joyce’s drums were sensitive and beautiful, and I hadn’t heard bass playing like Andy Rourke’s since [The Jam’s] Bruce Foxton. And Johnny Marr was right in the centre of it. They were a so-called ‘indie band’, but if you listen to them The Smiths were – in the best possible way – a muso band. Everybody in that band was at the top of their game.

This story is from the April 2022 edition of Total Guitar.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the April 2022 edition of Total Guitar.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TOTAL GUITARView All
Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"
Total Guitar

Ihsahn – "Extreme music lends itself well to experimental arrangements"

In an extraordinary double album, former Emperor guitarist Ihsahn delivers new material in two contrasting versions: metal and orchestral. "It was a perfect match," he says, “because my guitar had the same tuning as the cellos!"

time-read
8 mins  |
March 2024
Rosie Frater Taylor – "I Love Guitarists That Started in Jazz but Moved Into Pop"
Total Guitar

Rosie Frater Taylor – "I Love Guitarists That Started in Jazz but Moved Into Pop"

It's a bold claim, but one that we're prepared to make: there is no other guitarist in the UK right now who sounds quite like Rosie Frater-Taylor.

time-read
7 mins  |
February 2024
DIRTY SOUND MAGNET
Total Guitar

DIRTY SOUND MAGNET

Swiss psychedelic trio Dirty Sound Magnet have created a unique racket that's both thrillingly expansive and potently evocative.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2024
ELECTRO-HARMONIX PICO POG
Total Guitar

ELECTRO-HARMONIX PICO POG

You should be familiar with the Electro-Harmonix POG- it's the Polyphonic Octave Generator that set the standard for multistring, multi-octave layering and has graced the pedalboards of legends ranging from Jack White to Joe Satriani.

time-read
1 min  |
February 2024
BOSS KATANA AIR EX
Total Guitar

BOSS KATANA AIR EX

More Air, vicar? Boss pump up their popular wireless desktop amp

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
FGN BOUNDARY ILIAD BIL2MHS
Total Guitar

FGN BOUNDARY ILIAD BIL2MHS

With Japanese quality and top tones, could this be your next T-style?

time-read
2 mins  |
February 2024
THE 2024 GUITAR WORKOUT
Total Guitar

THE 2024 GUITAR WORKOUT

Smash your new year guitar goals with our 30-day technical workout

time-read
10+ mins  |
February 2024
"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"
Total Guitar

"TAPPING IS THE MOST-USED WEAPON IN MY ARSENAL!"

Jon Gomm's tips for getting more out of your acoustic guitar

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024
"THE BEST GUITAR SOLO IS A SONG WITHIN A SONG"
Total Guitar

"THE BEST GUITAR SOLO IS A SONG WITHIN A SONG"

Ace Frehley: the guitar hero of KISS, and an influence for Tom Morello, Dimebag and many more

time-read
5 mins  |
February 2024
"THE SIMPLE PARTS ARE THE HARDEST TO GET RIGHT”
Total Guitar

"THE SIMPLE PARTS ARE THE HARDEST TO GET RIGHT”

Lzzy Hale's recipe for meaty arena rock and killer tone

time-read
6 mins  |
February 2024