Salford U explains: *He found fame with cult indie band The Smiths and now, as Visiting Professor, influential Manchester-born guitarist, Johnny Marr will be passing on his musical expertise to students at Salford University. The ex-Smiths guitarist and current band member of Modest Mouse will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford. Johnny’s latest venture comes hard on the heels of a Q Lifetime Achievement Award and a number one hit in the US charts with Modest Mouse. He joined the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe, and Registrar, Dr Adrian Graves, at a reception on Wednesday 17 October to formally appoint him as Visiting Professor of Music.
After the appointment Johnny said: “Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honour to be appointed as a Professor and I’m excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution.” But this is not the first time that Johnny has visited Salford University. Those lucky enough to have been present at The Smiths’ performance (one of the last few) held at the University in 1986 experienced what Johnny regards as the best gig he ever played. As he himself says: “the PA had to be tied down because the floor was bouncing up so high that the stage was practically falling to pieces.” After making his name in cult 80s band The Smiths, Johnny became a session musician working with artists such as The Pretenders and Bryan Ferry. In the late 90s he formed a new band, Johnny Marr and the Healers, and he is currently a member of American indie rock band Modest Mouse.*
Salford U explains: *He found fame with cult indie band The Smiths and now, as Visiting Professor, influential Manchester-born guitarist, Johnny Marr will be passing on his musical expertise to students at Salford University. The ex-Smiths guitarist and current band member of Modest Mouse will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford. Johnny’s latest venture comes hard on the heels of a Q Lifetime Achievement Award and a number one hit in the US charts with Modest Mouse. He joined the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe, and Registrar, Dr Adrian Graves, at a reception on Wednesday 17 October to formally appoint him as Visiting Professor of Music.
After the appointment Johnny said: “Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honour to be appointed as a Professor and I’m excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution.” But this is not the first time that Johnny has visited Salford University. Those lucky enough to have been present at The Smiths’ performance (one of the last few) held at the University in 1986 experienced what Johnny regards as the best gig he ever played. As he himself says: “the PA had to be tied down because the floor was bouncing up so high that the stage was practically falling to pieces.” After making his name in cult 80s band The Smiths, Johnny became a session musician working with artists such as The Pretenders and Bryan Ferry. In the late 90s he formed a new band, Johnny Marr and the Healers, and he is currently a member of American indie rock band Modest Mouse.*
Salford U explains: *He found fame with cult indie band The Smiths and now, as Visiting Professor, influential Manchester-born guitarist, Johnny Marr will be passing on his musical expertise to students at Salford University. The ex-Smiths guitarist and current band member of Modest Mouse will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford. Johnny’s latest venture comes hard on the heels of a Q Lifetime Achievement Award and a number one hit in the US charts with Modest Mouse. He joined the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe, and Registrar, Dr Adrian Graves, at a reception on Wednesday 17 October to formally appoint him as Visiting Professor of Music.
After the appointment Johnny said: “Salford University is offering some fantastic opportunities to students in music. It is an honour to be appointed as a Professor and I’m excited at the prospect of being able to make a contribution.” But this is not the first time that Johnny has visited Salford University. Those lucky enough to have been present at The Smiths’ performance (one of the last few) held at the University in 1986 experienced what Johnny regards as the best gig he ever played. As he himself says: “the PA had to be tied down because the floor was bouncing up so high that the stage was practically falling to pieces.” After making his name in cult 80s band The Smiths, Johnny became a session musician working with artists such as The Pretenders and Bryan Ferry. In the late 90s he formed a new band, Johnny Marr and the Healers, and he is currently a member of American indie rock band Modest Mouse.*
See below for the band’s performance of ‘Missed The Boat’, from earlier this week. To view the official video for the tune check here. Johnny Marr is looking damn good for 43!
See below for another fan-directed contest winning entry, this time for Modest Mouse’s latest single, ‘Missed The Boat’. Did they choose wisely? Classic MM MP3 at bottom.
We just got the official word that Philly’s finest 5-piece, Man Man, will be touring with none other than Modest Mouse this spring! What a huge break for Man Man. We are thrilled for the guys and wish them much luck on the following dates:
04-25 Montreal – Metropolis 04-26 Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory 04-27 Boston, MA – Orpheum Theater 04-29 New York, NY – United Palace 04-30 New York, NY – United Palace 05-02 Providence, RI – Lupo’s 05-03 Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory 05-04 Greensboro, NC – Civic Center 05-05 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade Park 05-06 Birmingham, AL – BJCC Concert Hall 05-08 New Orleans, LA – House Of Blues 05-09 Austin, TX – The Backyard 05-10 Grand Prairie, TX – Nokia Live 05-12 Mesa, AZ – Mesa Amphitheater 05-13 Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre 05-14 San Diego, CA – Cox Arena 05-16 San Jose, CA – San Jose St. University
“It started off just as me writing some songs with Isaac (Brook, MM mainman) and I wasn’t looking beyond that. Then it became about me recording these songs as an album with these musicians. Then when the record started to sound as it did, I felt like I wanted to go out and play my part and show my commitment to what I’d done. And I’m still in that frame of mind.
“I was completely open-minded as to what it may or may not be. As it turned out, we wrote the first single (‘Dashboard’) on the first night and got on really strong roll straight from the off. I don’t think they’ve officially asked me to join yet, I’m just hanging around! But it would be a good idea for us to do some more I think.
“We’re not a pretty boy band. We’re serious about playing. But Modest Mouse are a very welcoming, quirky bunch of people so I fit in very nicely. Isaac’s very good at creating a family environment. It’s very funny, very sarcastic and very progressive.” (via NME)
Sounds like love at first sight. For all Modest Mouse tour dates, check here.
Salford U explains: *He found fame with cult indie band The Smiths and now, as Visiting Professor, influential Manchester-born guitarist, Johnny Marr will be passing on his musical expertise to students at Salford University. The ex-Smiths guitarist and current band member of Modest Mouse will be delivering a series of workshops and masterclasses to students on the BA Popular Music and Recording degree at Salford. Johnny’s latest venture comes hard on the heels of a Q Lifetime Achievement Award and a number one hit in the US charts with Modest Mouse. He joined the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Harloe, and Registrar, Dr Adrian Graves, at a reception on Wednesday 17 October to formally appoint him as Visiting Professor of Music.
