"I sometimes wonder whether we're the last dying breath of that '60's grim working class thing! I often feel like we're that one solitary clog left in the middle of the Arndale Centre! The idea of taking that spirit of optimism and of possible change and trying to use it in '84 I don't see anything wrong with at all. But more important than that are the images we grew up with: smokey chimneys, backstreets, the impressions I get from Morrissey's lyrics. It isn't just nostalgia, it's a Northern spirit, a working man's spirit - and here I'm trying to not sound like Gary Kemp doing the working class bit. But we're more about the working class values in the '60's than Rickenbackers and Brian Jones haircuts... Certainly we don't feel restrained musically in any way by the period. What I'm saying is we do not confuse roots with formula. The formula we're prepared to slash away at, musically try things we've never done before. But the roots are the reason why we're here. That's something I'll never get away from. I'm always aware of why we started and I think that's a good thing. Those reasons are still valid."
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Singer-songwriters from EnglandGuitarists from EnglandAlternative rock singersMusic producers from the United KingdomPeople from Manchester
Original Language: English
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from "A suitable case for treatment", New Musical Express (December 22/29th, 1984).
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Johnny_Marr
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Johnny Marr
Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher;31 October 1963) is an English guitarist, keyboardist, harmonica player, singer and songwriter. In the 1980s he was the guitarist in The Smiths, where he formed a highly influential songwriting partnership with Morrissey. He has since founded and worked with different bands, such as Electronic, Johnny Marr and the Healers, Modest Mouse and The Cribs.
11 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Johnny Marr →
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