Interview: Hit songwriter on 'shy' Morrissey - Harrowgate Advertiser
by Graham Chalmers.
Excerpt:
What working with Morrissey was like
A restless but likable soul, Mark landed on his feet quickly, co-writing and playing most of the guitar on the former lead singer of The Smith’s second solo album in 1991.
Mark said: “I’d sent him a cassette tape of some of my songs to his home in Manchester and the next day he sent me a postcard saying “Perfect”. “That went on for a while and eventually I was invited to join him in the studio. “He was an odd character. He was sitting there in his glasses with his quiff looking like a Smiths cover, “We all had to eat vegetarian food. He was very shy and awkward, not a comfortable person to be around. “Before I met him I thought he was whinging in an ironic way on his lyrics but he was just whinging.” The end result of his time with Morrissey and musicians including Mark ‘Bedders’ Bedford of Madness was the Kill Uncle album. Unfairly maligned at the time by critics, though mostly for the production by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, Morrissey himself was happy enough with the results of Mark’s efforts to invite him on tour. And it was Mark who suggested recruiting legendary ex-David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson to produce his next album. Your Arsenal, which contains I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday, another Morrissey/Nevin co-write, which was later covered by David Bowie himself, went onto to be huge success. By the time of the tour, however, Morrissey was beginning to gravitate towards new musical partners in rockabilly musicians Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer, and Mark was onto his next project. Mark said: “I like writing lyrics, which is obviously what Morrissey does. It was great to have worked with him but I wasn’t the right person to stay on for the long haul. “If you’re in Morrissey’s band you basically give up the rest of your life. “I got a call from his office saying he’s got all the dates ready and wants you to come along. “I said “when does it start?” The voice on the phone said “tomorrow!”
In the light of a tour & EP - Mark comments on working with Morrissey circa Kill Uncle.
Regards,
FWD.
by Graham Chalmers.
Excerpt:
What working with Morrissey was like
A restless but likable soul, Mark landed on his feet quickly, co-writing and playing most of the guitar on the former lead singer of The Smith’s second solo album in 1991.
Mark said: “I’d sent him a cassette tape of some of my songs to his home in Manchester and the next day he sent me a postcard saying “Perfect”. “That went on for a while and eventually I was invited to join him in the studio. “He was an odd character. He was sitting there in his glasses with his quiff looking like a Smiths cover, “We all had to eat vegetarian food. He was very shy and awkward, not a comfortable person to be around. “Before I met him I thought he was whinging in an ironic way on his lyrics but he was just whinging.” The end result of his time with Morrissey and musicians including Mark ‘Bedders’ Bedford of Madness was the Kill Uncle album. Unfairly maligned at the time by critics, though mostly for the production by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, Morrissey himself was happy enough with the results of Mark’s efforts to invite him on tour. And it was Mark who suggested recruiting legendary ex-David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson to produce his next album. Your Arsenal, which contains I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday, another Morrissey/Nevin co-write, which was later covered by David Bowie himself, went onto to be huge success. By the time of the tour, however, Morrissey was beginning to gravitate towards new musical partners in rockabilly musicians Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer, and Mark was onto his next project. Mark said: “I like writing lyrics, which is obviously what Morrissey does. It was great to have worked with him but I wasn’t the right person to stay on for the long haul. “If you’re in Morrissey’s band you basically give up the rest of your life. “I got a call from his office saying he’s got all the dates ready and wants you to come along. “I said “when does it start?” The voice on the phone said “tomorrow!”
In the light of a tour & EP - Mark comments on working with Morrissey circa Kill Uncle.
Regards,
FWD.
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