Moz-Stitch

My dear friend Briana received this little gem from her former roommate Maria. And like me, Briana is a loyal Morrissey fan. When we first met we bonded over our love for the Moz. How cool is this? So freakin' cool!



UPDATE: Maria got her cross-stitch idea from this fantastic Morrissey art-centric blog, Draw Morrissey. THIS IS SO GREAT!

Morrissey also just issued a video for "Ganglord," which is by far the most killer track on his latest B-sides collection, Swords. Have a look.

The History of John Peel

The late John Peel introduced countless bands to the masses during his 37 years as deejay at the BBC's Radio 1. Via "The Peel Sessions" show, Peel embraced what he loved the various genres of alternative rock, pop, British hip-hope, dance, and even death metal. Some of my favorite acts such as Joy Division, The Smiths, The Cure, and Siouxsie and the Banshees appeared on his show.

Fans can fondly remember or discover for the very first time the brilliance behind the man with the smashing collection, Kats Karavan: The History of John Peel on the Radio. The four-disc box set, out October 26th, spans his entire career, while including one-hit wonders, major chart toppers and other rarities. The Jam, The Slits, Mercury Rev, and Bloc Party are just a few of the many artists who appear of this fantastic retrospective.

John Peel passed away October 25, 2004.

[Thanks to The Line of Best Fit]

The Importance of Being Morrissey

Whoa! Morrissey-solo announced today that Mozipedia: The Encyclopedia of Morrissey and The Smiths will hit bookstores across the UK come Thursday, July 23 via Ebury Press. Simon Goddard, a regular contributor to Q Magazine, wrote the in-depth 544-page biographical sketch of the pop artist I've frequently swooned over here at mackenzieland.

NME hailed Goddard as 'the Smiths authority' for his 2002 book, The Smiths: Songs That Saved Your Life, which was also the only Smiths book to be well-received by guitarist Johnny Marr.

Synposis courtesy of Waterstone's:

Steven Patrick Morrissey is one of the most original and controversial voices in the history of popular music. With The Smiths, he led the most influential British guitar group of the 1980s, his enigmatic wit and style defining a generation. As a solo artist, he has continued to broach subjects no other singer would dare. Worshipped by some, vilified by others, Morrissey is a unique rock and roll creation. The 300,000 words of "Mozipedia" make this the most intimate and in-depth biographical portrait of the man and his music yet. Bringing together every song, album, collaborator, key location, every hero, book, film and record to have influenced his art, it is the summation of years of meticulous research. Morrissey authority Simon Goddard has interviewed almost everybody of any importance, making "Mozipedia" the last word on Morrissey and The Smiths.

Steven Patrick Morrissey Turns 50

Happy (Unhappy?) Birthday to my favorite handsome devil, Morrissey, who turns the big 5-0 today. Tonight, he'll celebrate with a few special gigs in England, including one at the Manchester Apollo.

Mozzer to NME on growing old: “Age shouldn't affect you. You're either marvelous or you're boring, regardless of your age.

In the NYC, there are a bunch of shindigs going on to honor the former Smiths frontman, including The Music Slut's Trash party at The Studio in Webster Hall. Also, Kaki King is playing a special set at Glasslands in Brooklyn. Bodega Girls, the Stationary Set, and Beta Beta are also slated to perform.

Also, to commemorate Morrissey's big birthday The Music Slut has issued the digital LP, TMS Hearts Moz. This 19-song set features Morrissey or Smiths covers from the likes of digital LP features artists like Chris Garneau, Exit Clov, The Glass, Laura Palmer, Mixel Pixel, Pattern Is Movement, Sharon Van Etten, and more. Each afternoon at 4pm, TMS debuts a new mp3 for free download and will continue to do so through May 28th. Hot stuff!

Click here to send the Mozzer some birthday wishes.

He Knows I'd Love To ...

Ah yes, another Morrissey book for those loyal fans out there. This time, author Dickie Felton captures 30 real-life chance meetings between the adored one and his forever adoring fans in his book, The Day I Met Morrissey, out May 11th via Bootle Bruiser Books. If you don't know already, there are no fans like Morrissey fans. To say they worship him is pretty much an understatement. Last month, while attending the Webster Hall show, my friend Briana and I were laughing how we're still as mad for the Moz now as we were as teenagers. The closest I've ever come to meeting Morrissey was when he and security scurried past the merch table after the Webster Hall show. In 1997, when catching former Smiths frontman at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, my old college roommate and I chased Spencer Cobrin and Johnny Bridgewood across the street to their hotel. They seemed to have enjoyed that. We just said hi.

Maybe one day? HA!

In other related Morrissey news, "Something Is Squeezing My Skull" will be the second single from his latest LP, Years of Refusal. Out April 27th in the UK, live versions of "This Charming Man, "Best Friend on the Payroll" and "I Keep Mine Hidden" are also included. Click here to order.

He's Got Mojo

I haven't bought MOJO in ages ... well, I haven't bought any of those British music mags in a long, long time. I used to worship Q, Vox, and Select, and NME and Melody Maker when they were still in newspaper format. Anyhow, MOJO still hammers out a slick issue now and then and its latest is a good example: Nick Cave dons the March 2009 cover and here, the original Bad Seed reflects upon his three decades in rock in a 15-page spread.

"I'm dressed up -- cufflinks and all -- for your photo session, but I don't wear a suit in a dandyish way. I wear it as a worker. Someone who prepares himself for the job. It's always been like that."

See? Such class.

There's also a killer interview with Brian Eno and another piece with Johnny Marr, but Paul Trynka's reflective piece on Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton is really stellar -- Iggy Pop, J Mascis and James Williamson pay tribute.. Asheton passed away last month at the age of 60. He lived in my old neighborhood on the west side of Ann Arbor ... a cool as hell musician, but just a regular guy. Still sad about this one. RIP Ron Asheton.

Famous International Playboy

Ok, I've been hesistant to discuss the much-talked about naked Morrissey photo for a couple of days now. News flash for those who haven't Facebooked me or texted me with the news (haha), Morrissey and the rest of his band are nearly nude on the inner-sleeve of the Mozzer's forthcoming single, "I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris." Of course, the Moz and the band's unmentionables are covered by aptly-placed seven-inch vinyl records.

It's not because I'm worried about what my Dad might say (thanks for always reading my blog, Dad) when he sees the post or how the Sultan will scowl at the photo above. The gasps, the shrieks, the wtfs surrounding this photo ... it's entertaining, sure. But really, why is this such a big deal?

The Guardian criticizes the photo as "ghastly." "The decline of Morrissey's sleeve imagery has only been equalled [sic] by his similarly appalling taste in denim over the past decade. Where once he wore synch-stitched Levi's, he seems to have been working his way through a dizzying wardrobe of boot-cut monstrosities when promoting his past four albums."

Really?

For me, it's Morrissey. He's still my favorite favorite. I get what he's doing here ... let the man make fun of himself. Let him have a little fun, period. The dude's outgrown his signature moping, but he'll never stop mocking the press or the naysayers. I especially love him for that. Sure, if was 16, I'd be a giddy fangirl about this photo. And I suppose I'll be a fangirl for Morrissey for the rest of my life. But c'mon. This photo is that big of a deal? Let's not make it more than it is. Red Hot Chili Peppers? Psssh.

Morrissey has remained an original. He's timeless. The artwork for his solo singles might not exactly match the flawless brilliance of former Smiths singles, but as he's always done, Morrissey does what he wants. Thank goodness for that.

"I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris" is released February 9th, while Morrissey's tenth studio LP, Years of Refusal, drops February 17th.

Good Looking Man About Town

Ah yes, it's today ... the 49th birthday of Morrissey, my favorite star. Still a charming man (heh), the former Smiths frontman is readying the release of "All You Need is Me," the second single -- out June 2nd according to morrissey-solo -- from his latest Greatest Hits collection. Mozzer, you don't look too shabby.