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The Salford Lads featured in "Out" magazine (March 2000)
Posted on Fri, Feb 25 2000 at 10:05 a.m. PST
by David T. <[email protected]>
Scan of the article from Ezra:

click to enlarge full article

COVER BOYS

THESE CHARMING MEN BRING MANCHESTER'S FAVORITE SON TO A NEW GENERATION OF FANS

Don't accuse the Salford Lads, New York's Smiths cover band, of being a nostalgia act. "I didn't even know who the Smiths were until two years ago," says singer Jesse Immler, "and then I just felt so mad that I only had the Backstreet Boys." Named for a Manchester landmark featured inside the cover of The Queen Is Dead, the five-piece band were brought together by a shared love for the world's most ambiguous vegetarian. The Lads, all of whom are in their early 20s, play regular gigs to crowds that include both moody teenagers and fans who remember the Smiths' glory years. Wearing gold lamé and sporting flowers in his back pocket, Immler apes Morrissey's stage manner, from pompadour to prance. Bassist Ezra Martin explains the enduring fascination: "It's Morrissey's ambiguity. When you see him live, the first six rows will be heterosexual males with their shirts off, running up to touch him. People forget things like sexuality and lose themselves in the music." While all of the Lads are straight, Immler says he thinks the truth about Morrissey is obvious. "Look at him dance, look at those hips! You don't see a straight man with coordination like that." -- Harry Thomas

* item archived - comments / notes can no longer be added.

Comments / Notes


STUPID BLEEDING POSOURS

HA HA

Birkenhead
- Fri, Feb 25, 2000 at 12:14:36 (PST) | #1


i'm sure these guys are cool and all, but i think we all know that morrissey has had more than enough mis-representation in the press, and for someone to splash his name about as a homosexual is rather ludicrous, considering his vehement refusal of presribed sexuality roles. of course i'm just saying.

i particularly enjoyed this tactless comment:

the first six rows will be heterosexual males with their shirts off, running up to touch him. People forget things like sexuality ...

i assume that a sort of questionnaire was distributed to determine that the males in question were in fact heterosexuals? forgetting about sexuality INDEED!

oh well, like i said, i'm sure they mean no harm.

john <[email protected]>
trenton, new jersey - Fri, Feb 25, 2000 at 12:45:38 (PST) | #2


Very very cool. Now we need to get you and SATH to play the same bill some where in between L.A. and New York... How about Chicago???

Jay

Mud
- Fri, Feb 25, 2000 at 12:46:29 (PST) | #3


Duh...we all do know he is gay. Right??? "picadelly palare" "Vauxhall" "I'm the end of the family line" "Will never marry," and the list could go on and on. Like "Jake" was really his "Friend."

You Eat Your Heart Out Steven <%00>
Cali - Fri, Feb 25, 2000 at 14:43:06 (PST) | #4


all I have to say is Ezra is one of the nicest people I have ever met.....

Jay....not Mud

Int'l Playboy <[email protected]>
- Fri, Feb 25, 2000 at 20:08:05 (PST) | #5


He obviously has a homosexual bent, but your reasoning is ridiculous. As far as "Picadilly Palare", does an interest in homosexual culture necessarily indicate that you are of that sexual orientation yourself? Sort of like Marilyn Manson saying ever enjoying a Morrissey song damns you to a homosexual label, and I suppose anyone that reads Oscar Wilde or Truman Capote qualifies, too...
As far as "End of the Family Line", and "Will Never Marry", neither of these statements are restricted to homosexuals, and in fact these days, quite a few gays could go without making these statements at all.
You're as bad as anyone else...

Neffy <[email protected]>
va beach, va USA - Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 06:08:15 (PST) | #6


Are you people dumb or just ignorant? OUT is a gay magazine, so *of course* they're going to talk about Morrissey's sexuality and his ambiguity! I know for a fact that the Lads gave a lengthy interview, yet this is the only information the author decided to include, their quotes that were taken out of context to make it appear like a sexuality based article.

Journalists who lie, so sick and beleagered......

Asa
- Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 13:05:00 (PST) | #7


pethedic article

jules
lowell - Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 13:48:27 (PST) | #8


"All of these rumor keeping me grounded, I never said, I never said, that they were completely unfounded"

Speedway

It's no secret what he's talking about here.

Shea
Los Angeles - Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 16:40:10 (PST) | #9


Isn't it a secret? So knowing. I should know better than to question the wisdom of the all-knowing homosexual online Morrissey fans, no doubt one of the most well-informed demographic groups known to modern society. Don't you understand that it doesn't matter? How dull can you get? How pathetic, moreover?

Neffy <[email protected]>
va beach, va USA - Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 18:09:27 (PST) | #10


READING BETWEEEN THE LINES WITH (OF) L.A. SHEA AND Y.E.Y.H.O.S.:
"We claim Morrissey as our own, above the rest of you, due to our similar sexual orientations. Take that."

Neffy <[email protected]>
va beach, va USA - Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 18:11:58 (PST) | #11


Neffy, I like what you have to say here. Cheers to the Salford Lads for getting recognition in a well known article. Isn't it great to have a popular magazine interested in what you have to say (misquoted or not). Nice photo too :)

e <[email protected]>
- Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 21:57:23 (PST) | #12


sorry I meant to say well known magazine.

e <[email protected]>
- Sat, Feb 26, 2000 at 21:59:44 (PST) | #13


Can everyone just SHUT UP and enjoy the man's music without nit-picking at his sexuality. IT DOESN'T MATTER!!! I swear, Morrissey fans are the bitchiest bunch ( myself included ).

flat hand
- Sun, Feb 27, 2000 at 04:55:34 (PST) | #14


How about Ann-Marie McVeigh? He fancied her rotten. He also confessed "I cannot deny my affection for this tempestuous creature." Doesn't sound very gay, does it? Not that it matters.

A mind consumed by brass (money)
The North Of you-know-where.... - Sun, Feb 27, 2000 at 06:25:21 (PST) | #15


Who cares if Morrissey is gay or not...He sings my life...Gay or not gay, he is one of the keenest persons that ever lived...The Salford Lads are great too... darling, It's all for you...

Hated For Loving...
- Sun, Feb 27, 2000 at 11:24:20 (PST) | #16


Honestly, I really don't care but if I had to guess, I'd say he's gay. Personally, I think Morrissey prefers to stay sexually ambivalent. I think it's a reaccuring theme in much of his lyrics. I'm not one to measure people by their Morrissey devotion however. There is really too much going on in my life to waste time doing that.

Shea
Los Angeles - Sun, Feb 27, 2000 at 18:48:28 (PST) | #17


Of course Birkenhead had to open the comments, you over-opinionated little worm...
None the less...
The Lads, are A-ok, and I am in agreement with the one who commented on Ezra being the nicest guy...he truly is! THe Lads are a talented group of dedicated guys. I personally think the music is represented so well, that they should consider writing some of their own material. I didn't want to go down the homosexual road, as some of my predecessors in this column have, BUT, I'd be remiss if I didn't say the following...
(And please take absolutely no offense Jesse or Lads), but donning campy little shirts around like 'Soy Boy Toy' would lead one to believe that Jesse was homosexual as well...But from what I have read they are all hetero, perfect example of "do not judge a book by it's cover" damn the cliches, especially the true ones!!

dial-a-cliche
- Mon, Feb 28, 2000 at 08:40:31 (PST) | #18


I went to see these guys at their downstairs at CBGB's gig in February... This guy is full of @#!!!e if he says he'd been only listening to the Smiths for 2 years. I'd heard him quote at least a dozen referances from numerous Smiths/Moz bootlegs i have... otherwise, guitar work was superb..bass was fair...crowd was cliche.

clever
- Sat, Mar 18, 2000 at 21:11:46 (PST) | #19



* return to Morrissey-solo