The Smiths - Interview

The Smiths are interviewed by Tony Wilson during rehearsals for the upcoming Meat Is Murder Tour (21 february 1985)

[@Desatkinson]

this interviewer was constantly trying to start shit i'm dying

[@andyp.4564]

Aquarius of Color sskskskdkksks tea

[@mijadreams3486]

HE HELLA WAS LMFAOOO

[@dvxthwish3350]

thats tony Wilson

[@whispersinvenice]

Mike Joyce wasn't taking that shit.

[@sonny5082]

"good ole mozart hip guy" haha

[@danielg.s.8811]

fuck yeahh

[@victorymansions]

I was cracking up

[@nicholassaunders8227]

"it doesn't make life worse" hahahaha most honest man in music

[@catinthehat906]

Makes me laugh now that criticising a few unnamed teachers in Manchester in a pop song was seen as controversial, a perfect riposte from Morrissey.

[@rherrick123]

This interviewer, Tony Wilson (founder of Factory Records, for the musically uneducated among you), once said about Morrissey that he was a "woman in a man's body". Morrissey responded that Tony Wilson was a "pig in a man's body", and when asked to explain his comment, refined it as a "man in a pig's body". They didn't really get on.

[@jordanelder321]

Tony Wilson is a better man than he will ever be

[@adamstanheightkinnie]

11 years ago omg

[@jordanelder321]

@Ferris Bueller oh check you out. No need for some dickhead like you to know

[@jordanelder321]

@Ferris Bueller I take it your not very used to people being honest with you. What a shame it must be to you

[@jordanelder321]

@Ferris Bueller courageously honest about my love for anime mate.

[@nonce9315]

"Oh ye Mozart hip guy" had and still has me in stitches

[@Warren_The_Warrinator257]

Mike and Andy were so precious. Shame they never got the spotlight they deserved compared to Moz and Johnny.

[@richalderson6069]

I'd hate to get into an argument with Morrissey, I know he'd just SLAY me.

[@lilyrockel8590]

"No not really I think he deserves the attention he gets"

[@oscarwilde9581]

S H A D E

[@sweetsalami21]

1:57 - You hear one strum and immediately know it's Heaven Knows I'm Miserable

[@grace22812]

Andy and Mike are ridiculously adorable.

[@ewie9347]

and so's Johnny ❤️

[@marianhalcombe3305]

This thread suddenly seems like a pointed missile aimed directly, yet passively, at Morrissey...

[@ukelicious123]

Morrissey too

[@ludaheracles7201]

Losers

[@niall946]

Mike Joyce, "Our time will come". And it did... with a lawsuit.

[@homeone4054]

Just thinking the same Niall..!

[@sexobscura]

*fair dues:* would've been *very* difficult to get what we hear without the rhythm section

[@ericsilberstein667]

@@sexobscuraOne of the best (Rourke and Joyce).

[@granthambeard]

Love this, but the bit where Johnny says "I play it a bit more aggressively" and then proceeds to play something quite lovely has me giggling ;)

[@ValottaLaureano]

Reel around the fountain ftw

[@cinqo7]

He mentions someone called Gordon Mosey or something like that ? Do you know who he is?

[@oliviafagin293]

"And what do I see? This charming man!" XD

[@exomoonextremophile]

The bit with Andy and Mike is weirdly ironic in hindsight when you consider the lawsuit that would later come.

[@ignaciocabero2318]

What happened?

[@enterbalak]

+Ignacio Cabero they got 5 million out of the contract I'm sure, could Morry to court and everything.

[@bandit217]

@Lee Davenport Lolol this is two comment threads I've seen you in now... why are you so upset??

[@hashteraksgage3281]

@larkjd noting? They were half of the band

[@danielg.s.8811]

@larkjd just like you

[@ivandesantis858]

Johnny Marr could play anything and he was like 22 in this interview. The pairing of two singular talents like him and Morrissey just an amazing collaboration.

[@sophiaanderson3881]

mike's voice is so beautiful idk

[@moraseena]

Sophia Anderson yeah man I thought exactly the same

[@kenyahirationsound2156]

I am totally agree

[@InstallaFriend]

“It’s doesn’t make life worse [being famous]. It’s very interesting; you should try it one day.” To Tony fucking Wilson

[@johnbobbitybingbangboom5369]

Morrissey is the fucking king of the comebacks! Very intelligent man.

[@deniselujan1379]

Johnny Marr is awesome! The guy has incredible talent, I don't think the Smiths would have been as famous without him and vice versa with Morrissey.

[@robseddon629]

I agree, without Morrissey and Marr I don't think the smiths would have been famous.

[@pg6917]

I think that without morrisey probably they would still be famous, with moz lyrics or not the music is still pretty good

[@Archiv3sofpa1n]

@@pg6917 yeah but as a team they made it great. The thing I love most about the smiths is how perfectly the lyrics and music compliment each other and the chemistry they had as artists. Everything about it just works in the most perfect way

[@jamesdavies5266]

Good observation ..seen as he wrote all the music!

[@brandon2912t]

Agreed! They were like a soulmate combination and I loved everything about The Smiths growing up!

[@innatebubble121]

Mike’s voice is amazing

[@johnnys-left-earring]

he's so lovely

[@AnonymousCaveman]

"Good old Mozart, great guy"

[@AnonymousCaveman]

+Jonas Gammelgaard Stæhr still funny through

[@honeyhitchins7805]

Morrissey trash-talking the Manchester education committee 😍

[@Yunglizard2777]

Andy is an AMAZING bassist jfc he's so underrated

[@heboy3767]

Must he rest in peace

[@prudenceneverpays]

sigh

[@NSAHAI1]

morrissey has the most amazing voice

[@kenyahirationsound2156]

It's rare to find an interview with Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce during The Smiths era. Rourke, a great bassist, seems to be shy to answer.Joyce, soulful Joyce Is a great drummer and(Oh such a beautiful voice 😍😙) I think they're really handsome. They needed to appear in more interviews, they are the Sound from The Smiths too.

[@ludaheracles7201]

Oh you fake, superficial women

[@smaxit]

It's endearing when Marr comments on Mozart being, "a hip guy".

[@bellavasquezgiustino1148]

Johnny Marr is so beautiful wow

[@FredericaBimble]

LOL.. The journalist was trying to bring Morrissey down. 'maybe it's Johnny Marr's guitar'. Hilarious.

[@simplelife88393]

"Good old Mozart, hip guy"

[@youforget1000thingsaday]

Andy Rourke was so fine. Man.

[@jimmima121]

'That interviewer' is Tony Wilson. He was one of the most important figures in British music over the last 50 years.

[@squashua_]

“It doesn’t make life worse, you should try it one day”. Burn.

[@tristanblancq3173]

Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke are the greatest bass/guitar pairing ever Right alongside Ste Fitzpatrick & Audun Laading of Her's

[@wallacelovecraft8942]

The 2 members are so nice talking about Morris.

[@zachfakename3747]

Tony Wilson was probably holding back his rage during the interview from not signing The Smiths to Factory Records

[@MrPge1970]

I remember buying this LP in early 1985. The Headmaster Ritual was a song that resonated with me because of the behaviour of the Christian Brothers in my school & in Ireland in the mid 80s. Thank you Morrissey. i love you.

[@gauche5800]

I honestly think it was a little rude that the interviewer was pressing Mike Joyce and Andy to say if they were jealous. I mean, to even ask someone if they're jealous is vindictive.

[@GriefTourist]

Back then you could ask questions without being suspected of spitefulness. Nowadays everyone assumes an agenda.

[@katemely12]

First time I hear Johnny marr speak

[@NKRevolution]

U should hear a song from his solo album he sings pretty good too.

[@ToWnHeAdAARON123]

mehhh

[@clewbe]

johnny marr is too cool

[@WolfBoy723]

Ive been listenin to The Smiths since i was a toddler, my pops sorta forced it on to me, but im glad that he did so now i know about this beautiful music and the talent who created it

[@ChicagoRic360]

I'd love to see more of the interview with Marr. It's amazing how much musical talent he has and the way he weaves his myriad influences into a distinctive sound that respects the tradition on which it's based.

[@spartan876]

goold ol' motzart,, *HIP* guy!

[@emilyheartspatd]

Johnny at 3:01 "good ol Mozart, hip guy" lolz

[@saintjimmy456]

You can tell there is a bit of dislike from Wilson here, a lot of the questions have an underlying negativity. "Does he deserve all the attention he gets?" To Joyce and Rourke about Morrissey. "I knew him when he was called Steven" then proceeds to call him Steven throughout the interview even though he himself acknowledged he only goes by Morrissey now. "What gives you the right..." to comment on schools and teaching: as if permission is needed for lyircal content.

[@skyworm8006]

nah it's just standard critical interviewing of the time. a pretence of balance, sometimes actual balance, but at least there was a pretence that gave us the whole picture and acknowledgement of what has happened unlike now where it's all simple and onesided and fake. i would say in this case it's even just going through the motions to set them up for assuaging fears and improving his image. also actors and musicians all comment on social and political stuff now but none express anything that isn't approved and prepared for them. so morrissey's sentiment falls flat, i think even in his time. just another avenue for propaganda and social engineering. i wasn't alive then but that's what i've noticed from watching the media from that time.

[@Boxscot49]

“The answer is I don’t know.” Love that response

[@revbattfink6301]

I don't know why but I fucking love Mike's voice.

[@johnnys-left-earring]

saaaaame

[@user-cm1hm9be4q]

Morrissey is brilliant

[@PiratesAndCowboys]

Why does the interviewer call him Stephen he doesnt even go by Stephen lol

[@hamblok0]

Because Tony Wilson knew Morrissey way before The Smiths were even a thing.

[@joelees836]

Hip guy

[@ashleyohohoh]

I love when Morrissey is annoyed ❤️

[@Ghoulies]

I'm glad Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce seem to be appreciated and folks know what a big part they played in The Smiths sound, writing, look, and stage presence. When folks start saying Johnny wrote all the basslines etc, I wonder if they're just repeating what another misinformed person said. (Johnny made the drum beats/patterns too?) Sure, he most probably showed him the basic chord/note patterns, but I as a musician, can tell that writing and obviously playing style is his, naturally. The Smiths is all 4 of them. Craig Gannon had a good look and could play, but seemed kind of awkward and upset the natural balance. He seems like a good guy though. Not knocking him. I guess because the 2 guys from the rhythm section haven't done mountains of work since The Smiths, they get scrutinised and regarded less by some. Thank you for the music anyhow

[@stevenuuu1212]

Morrissey had the last laugh there.

[@blueskiedanclear-1]

Mike and Andy are both gonna be the reason i turn sus.

[@prudenceneverpays]

are u sus yet

[@ryanblythe4035]

why can't Tony just be happy he signed Joy division and leave Morrissey alone

[@nathanharris7815]

I love early interviews❤

[@weemoxy2]

johnny was on summat there

[@calumpat9]

Tony Wilson was a great man. RIP

[@gemimaobrien]

Got the feeling Mike really meant what he said there with “our day will come.”

[@kdwright06]

Thank you

[@wallflowerkeely]

Love johnny marr so much

[@pippipster6767]

Maximum respect to drum and bass in da smiths init bro

[@thewordisours8105]

this interviewer might have been the one who single handedly put the hate between the members that ended the band in motion

[@tjalfejon]

god I love Marr...

[@honeyhitchins7805]

I love him

[@sexobscura]

Manchester - *so* much to answer for

[@transonicbuoy1]

Yes, Mis Lie - amazing how, before the corporates took it, and a lot of people listened, the blokes behind it, totally natural.

[@thebjm1967]

LOL. oh my gosh. i would love to go back in time for sure.

[@adriansvarela]

The perfect interview

[@beetlejuice7184]

I Love!

[@L0zzle]

2:47 - nowhere fast 🖤

[@JessWWECena1]

oh johnny.

[@ilonak.6252]

i love his accent!

[@thegirlfrommars4386]

Andy looks so cute here 🥰🥰

[@FredericaBimble]

That's 'The Hand That Rocks the Cradle' (slight variation) and I'm sure you can find the tabs somewhere online.

[@BWFCUCL15]

Morrissey's riposte to Tony Wilson is fantastic- perhaps Tony Wilson is playing the devils advocate, but when he states 'what right does being a pop star give you to..." it sounds like he's being ultra conservative. The whole freedom of speech and public authorities being held accountable obviously weren't as prominent back then as they rightfully are today.

[@refforendum]

i love how that guy was trying to piss off morrissey but he just kept answering so cooly. that interveiwer made himself look like an ass

[@phantomlord6661]

So how about Andy rourke in this interview hahaha

[@treid100182]

Morrissey, A sad thing: watching this video and realizing you have watched it before, almost ten years ago. etc.

[@YankeesInLove]

Super !

[@karensvetlanaenriquezfletc71]

johnny's voice is just so beautiful, cute and sexy 😏😍

[@MsMelissa303]

He's one of the hottest 80s musicians in my opinion 😍

[@alnjgove8uifjbkelbfg]

How prophhetic of Mike to say our time will come!

[@nineteenfortyeight6762]

"There have been accusations, particularly from me, ... "

[@ashleyohohoh]

Johnny Marr looks like he's related to me, its so strange. He looks just like my 22 year old cousin, identical.

[@vilepete]

You're right stressing Morrissey's brilliance...

[@DreamClean]

2:46 Nowhere Fast

[@Hir0-Protagonist]

Not even a full minute into the interview and Tony Wilson was already stirring the pot. LOL

[@starmandiddy]

Id like to drop my trousers to the world...

[@michaeloneill8452]

It doesnt make life worse

[@annie123454]

i agree

[@judeforrester6641]

If someone has the right to vote they have the right to voice their opinions

[@valerian7049]

Morrissey it’s hot but can we talk about Johnny????

[@astrum_nauta]

This Charming man Morrissey... lol

[@ericsilberstein667]

Morrissey, Marr, Rourke, and Joyce were great together. The Smiths were a great alt band.

[@brinadeleon9242]

Tell em morrissey

[@luislizard2626]

That’s Andy just before he went to be the vampire leader of: the lost boys

[@saborranchero]

what's the name of the song in 2:47?

[@UkVIP100]

Lol... interviewer got blown out on that second to last question !!!

[@1toneboy]

good old Mozard, hip guy.

[@shko2137]

Nice

[@Linathehuman]

The interviewer seems to REALLY dislike Morrissey. Does anyone know why?

[@CarlosBacardi]

hairdresseronfire because he knocked back his label Factory Records for Rough Trade.

[@xfactorcritic]

The interviewer was Anthony Wilson and he was a legendary manager. He helped to make Joy Division icons