Latest news with #Smiths
Extra.ie
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Nick Cave on Morrissey's ‘silly anti-woke screed'
Nick Cave has shared that he turned down a collaboration with Morrissey in 2024 because the former Smiths frontman wanted Cave to sing an 'unnecessarily provocative and slightly silly anti-woke screed'. On his Red Hand Files website, Cave replied to a fan asking if he had ever encountered Morrissey. 'I've never actually met Morrissey, which is probably why I like him. He is undeniably a complex and divisive figure, someone who takes more than a little pleasure in pissing people off,' read Cave's reply. Despite never having met the former Smiths member in person, Cave recalled a 'few pleasant email exchanges' he had with Morrissey in 2024. In his emails, Morrissey asked Cave to perform on a new song he had written. Cave said he would have been happy to collaborate with Morrissey but ultimately declined due to an overly political text. 'While the song he sent was quite lovely, it began with a lengthy and entirely irrelevant Greek bouzouki intro. 'It also seemed that he didn't want me to actually sing on the song but deliver, over the top of the bouzouki, an unnecessarily provocative and slightly silly anti-woke screed he had written,' explained Cave. What exactly Morrissey wanted Cave to say was not specified in Cave's blog post. The Bad Seeds' member said that 'Although I suppose I agreed with the sentiment on some level, it just wasn't my thing. I try to keep politics, cultural or otherwise, out of the music I am involved with. 'I find that it has a diminishing effect and is antithetical to whatever it is I am trying to achieve. So I politely declined,' Cave summed up. Morrissey's last album, I Am Not a Dog on a Chain , was released via BMG in 2020. His record Bonfire of Teenagers was set to be released in 2023 but has so far been shelved due to Morrissey's controversial statements in the last few years. In an interview with The Telegraph in 2024, the Smiths singer claims that no major London record label would release Bonfire of Teenagers as a result of Idiot Culture.
The Irish Sun
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Roy Keane forms unlikely bond with rockstar over shared love of Cork on Stick to Football podcast
MAN UTD icon Roy Keane has formed an unlikely bond with a well know rockstar from a British band. The Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr joined the Stick to Football podcast this week and struck an unlikely chord with the Ireland legend. Advertisement 2 Roy Keane on The Overlap was joined on the Overlap by Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr 2 Smiths guitarist Marr admitted the pair have a great relationship as they fondly spoke of county Cork The pair gushed over their shared affection for Cork on the latest Rebel county native Keano has never shy about his roots, and has spoke passionately about Cork over the years, especially when it comes to GAA. But it turns out the city also left a lasting impression on Marr, whose Irish heritage runs deep through his Kildare-born parents. The conversation on the show — hosted by Keane, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Jill Scott — naturally drifted toward music, with Marr asked by Neville to compare band dynamics to a football team. Advertisement read more on football Using The Beatles as an example, Marr described Paul McCartney as 'the 12th man" as he praised the legendary scouser. Marr also gave a nod to one of Cork's greatest cultural exports, Rory Gallagher. He said: 'There was an Irish guy, Rory Gallagher, who I used to follow around and go to all his shows, and who I got to know before he passed away. 'He was a beautiful guy, Rory.' Advertisement Most read in Football He also spoke about his close friendship with Keane, who are nearby neighbours in Manchester. The Smiths icon revealed he often bumps into the former Utd skipper while out walking his dog. Roy Keane slams 'LAZY' Kyle Walker for role in Senegal goal vs England as ITV star says 'can't make mistakes like that' He added: 'Sometimes Roy's walking the dogs but often I'm running, because we live near each other. It's a good excuse to stop [running]!' Marr joked. Keane replied, laughing: 'Is that the only reason you stop?!' Advertisement Before Marr continued: 'He'll always go, 'Ah, I don't want to stop you, you're running!' I always say, 'No, no…' We'll have a bit of a chat about football. I was always interested in the dressing room, the dynamic and the chemistry,' 'We'll chat about Ireland, because I'm from an Irish family. We'll talk about Cork and stuff like that — and tea! We're really rock and roll.' The pair's mutual respect was evident throughout, even with Marr's Man City allegiance.
Extra.ie
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
Rock legend supports KNEECAP amid Glastonbury ban calls
The Smiths legend Johnny Marr has expressed his support for KNEECAP following calls for their Glastonbury performance to be censored. KNEECAP'S Glastonbury controversy follows footage from the past gigs coming to light after the trios Coachella performance, where they unveiled messages saying: 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people' and 'Fuck Israel, Free Palestine.' Trio founder Mo Chara, Liam g hAnnaidh, was charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence, and numerous live shows cancelled. He is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court this Wednesday, June 18. The charge relates to two on-stage incidents from shows in London in 2024 and 2023, respectively. KNEECAP have vehemently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said that they do not condone violence, and have also condemned the terror charge, calling it a carnival of distraction'. Yesterday evening, Marr took to X to express his supprt for the group in a statement which read: After learning that calls have been made for KNEECAP to be censored during their Glastonbury set, I think its important that I make my own position clear he wrote. Ive played Glastonbury many times and the festival has always had a political aspect. It was founded as a place of free expression and political activism and its a fact that I agreed to play there with The Smiths in 1984 purely because to do so at the time was a political act. We are living through very troubling times, but for anyone whos been interested in me or my music over the last 40 years, I feel like my political stance has always been very clear. — Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) June 16, 2025 Marr concluded by expressing his support for Palestine: Oppression fears artistic expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless. I stand with my audience and fellow musicians who call for an immediate end to the atrocities and a free Palestine. Other artists have previously expressed their support for KNEECAP, including Fontaines D.C.s Grian Chatten, Pulp, Brian Eno, Massive Attack, CMAT and more., The trio also received public backing from anti-racism campaigners Love Music Hate Racism, after a 'private and confidential' letter was sent to the bookers of Glastonbury Festival urging them to drop the trio from its 2025 lineup. Last week, the trio unveiled the legal team which will represent g hAnnaidh at the Westminster court this week, which includes Gareth Peirce, who was the solicitor for Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne N Ghrlaigh KC.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sunday World
Smiths legend backs Kneecap and calls for a free Palestine
It comes amid calls for the Belfast band's upcoming set at the Glastonbury music festival to be censored Legendary guitarist Johnny Marr has become the latest star to offer his support to Kneecap. It comes amid calls for the Belfast band's upcoming set at the Glastonbury music festival to be censored. Taking to social media, the former Smiths musician said in a statement that 'after learning that calls have been made for Kneecap to be censored during their Glastonbury set', he thought it was important to make his position on the issue clear. 'I've played Glastonbury many times and the festival has always had a political aspect,' the 61-year-old said. 'It was founded as a place of free expression and political activism, and it's a fact that I agreed to play there with the Smiths in 1984 purely because to do so at the time was a political act. 'We are living through very troubling times, but for anyone who's been interested in me or my music over the last 40 years, I feel like my political stance has always been very clear,' he continued. 'Oppression fears artistic expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless. 'I stand with my audience and fellow musicians who call for an immediate end to the atrocities and a free Palestine.' Kneecap are set to perform at the British festival at the West Holts Stage on Saturday, June 28. Earlier this month, the BBC confirmed it would not remove the band from its coverage of the festival. However, they were removed from Scotland's TRNSMT festival this July following safety concerns from police. Band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is set to appear in court after police in the UK charged him with a terrorism offence after he allegedly displayed a flag in support of Lebanese organisation Hezbollah last year. The rapper, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, has denied the charge, calling it "political policing" and "a carnival of distraction" away from Gaza. He said the charge is an attempt to stop him from 'speaking at Glastonbury.' 'There's a reason why what's happened to me happened before Glastonbury. Members of Kneecap, Liam Og O Hannaigh (Mo Chara), JJ O'Dochartaigh (DJ Provai) and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) attending the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards Ceremony (Brian Lawless/PA) 'There's a reason they're trying to f**king stop me speaking at Glastonbury in front of the UK.' Fellow Irish musician and Kneecap collaborator Grian Chatten branded the charges against Ó hAnnaidh a witch hunt. 'It's a categorical witch hunt, and that's fairly plain to see to anyone who has a discerning eye,' he told The Irish Times. 'I stand by their side, and I'm totally unafraid to do so. I think all of us are.' The group have garnered international headlines since their performance at Coachella in April. Johnny Marr News in 90 Seconds - June 17 They faced controversy after they displayed a message reading 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F**k Israel, Free Palestine,' on stage following their set at the music festival. The performance led to calls for the group to be banned from performing in the United States
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Johnny Marr Backs Kneecap Ahead of Glastonbury Fest: ‘Oppression Fears Artistic Expression'
Johnny Marr voiced his support for Kneecap ahead of their upcoming performance at Glastonbury, which comes as the Belfast hip-hop trio has faced waves of criticism for their support of Palestine. 'I've played Glastonbury many times and the festival has always had a political aspect,' the former Smiths guitarist said. 'It was founded as a place of free expression and political activism and it's a fact that I agreed to play there with the Smiths in 1984 purely because to do so at the time was a political act.' More from Rolling Stone Kneecap Removed From Scottish Festival TRNSMT Due to Police Safety 'Concerns' Kneecap Play First Shows Since Terror Charge: 'They Tried to Stop This Gig' Kneecap Respond to Terror Charge: 'This Is a Carnival of Distraction' He continued: 'Oppression fears artistic expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to speak out against injustice, who promote compassion and equality and give voice to the voiceless. I stand with my audience and fellow musicians who call for an immediate end to the atrocities and a free Palestine.' Marr said he felt compelled to share his statement after 'learning that calls have been made for Kneecap to be censored during their Glastonbury set.' Kneecap have claimed to be the target of a 'smear campaign' ever since their performance at Coachella in April, where the group broadcast a message onstage that read, 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,' and, 'It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.' In the aftermath, Kneecap faced a wide array of criticism (including remarks from Sharon Osbourne and Johnny Rotten), and MC Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was even charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and yelling 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' as well as, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory,' at a London concert in 2024. (Ó hAnnaidh is expected to appear in court on June 18.) Kneecap denied the latter allegation, claiming video of the incident was 'deliberately taken out of all context.' At a festival gig in London not long after the charge was brought, Ó hAnnaidh told the crowd that he believed the charge against him was accelerated 'because Glastonbury is just around the corner,' adding, 'They're trying to silence us from speaking on stage at Glastonbury the way we did at Coachella. That's a fact.' Several U.K. politicians have called for Kneecap to be removed from future festival lineups, including Glastonbury and TRNSMT in Glasgow, Scotland. (Kneecap were booted from the latter festival 'due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event.') And just last week, DJ/producer Toddla T, who worked with Kneecap on their 2024 album, Fine Art, claimed that a cohort of music industry players, led by 'a very systemically powerful music agent,' had contacted Glastonbury 'urging them to remove Kneecap from the lineup.' As it stands, Kneecap is still scheduled to perform June 28 on the West Holts Stage. The BBC has also previously said that it will not remove Kneecap from its coverage of Glastonbury. Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
