As they struggled to rebuild during those grim days after the Blitzkrieg of World
War II, and later through the stifling policies of the Thatcher admin,
the people of Manchester turned to music. The city spawned many musicians over
the years, starting with Herman's Hermits, The Hollies, and Davy Jones of The
Monkees, artists that seem to capture a less Dickensian doom. Manchester's grip
on the U.K.’s musical taste was consolidated in the 1980s, in what was called the "Madchester" scene. The era was best known for Mancunian bands like Joy
Division, The Stone Roses, and the Happy Mondays. It was a time in the city's
history when drug use escalated and night clubs turned from live acts to DJs (as
chronicled in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party
People).
By most accounts, Steven Patrick Morrissey is the best known
Mancunian, and as much as the industrial hub is known for Manchester United, it's a bit of a
surprise to see how much the city is devoted to Moz. He’s essentially their
primary export. In his 2013 Autobiography, Morrissey tells of his
time growing up in the city. He paints a vulgar picture of Blakean squalor
and decay. As a poor child in a large immigrant family, he saw the worst of the
city at the city's worst time. "More brittle and less courteous than anywhere
else on earth," he wrote, "Manchester is the old fire breathing its last,
where we all worry ourselves soulless, forbidden to be romantic."
Morrissey isn't shy about voicing his opinion on
politics, the Queen, vegetarianism, or anything else. He's been regarded as an
overly dramatic blowhard, borderline unbearable, even by his biggest supporters. He's
well aware of the criticism. In Autobiography, he writes, "Whenever I’d overhear
how people found me to be 'a bit much' (which is the gentle way of saying the
word 'unbearable'), I understood why. To myself I would say: Well, yes of
course I'm a bit much — if I weren't, I would not be lit up by so many lights."
14 June 1974 - NME, Letter from Morrissey praising the latest album by Sparks, Kimono My House. "Today I bought the album of the year. I feel
I can say this without expecting several letters saying I'm talking rubbish.
The album is Kimono My House by Sparks. I bouth (sic) it on the strength of
the single. Every track is brilliant, although I must name 'Equator',
'Complaints', 'Amateur Hour' and 'Here In Heaven' as the best tracks and in
that order.
Steven Morrissey, 384 Kings Road, Stretford, Manchester."
Steven Morrissey, 384 Kings Road, Stretford, Manchester."
18 June 1976 - NME, Review by Steven Morrissey of a Sex Pistols concert: "I pen this epistle
after witnessing the infamous Sex Pistols in concert at the Manchester Lesser
Free Trade Hall. The bumptious Pistols in jumble sale attire had those few that
attended dancing in the aisles despite their discordant music and barely
audible lyrics. The Pistols boast having no inspiration from the New York/Manhattan rock scene, yet their set includes, 'I'm Not Your Stepping
Stone,' a number believed to be done almost to perfection by the
Heartbreakers on any sleazy New York night and the Pistols' vocalist/exhibitionist Johnny Rotten's attitude and self-asserted 'love us or leave us'
approach can be compared to both Iggy Pop and David Johansen in their heyday.
The Sex Pistols are very New York and it's nice to see that the British have
produced a band capable of producing atmosphere created by The New York Dolls
and their many imitators, even though it may be too late. I'd love to see the
Pistols make it. Maybe they will be able to afford some clothes which don't
look as though they've been slept in."
Morrissey writes about the Manchester music scene: "Of the new bands,
Warsaw, The Worst, The Drones and the Fall look the most likely to make any
headway. Warsaw were formed some times ago by vocalist Ian Curtis and have
performed alongside more prominent bands like The Heartbreakers. Although they
offer little originality with Ian's offstage antics resembling one Iggy Pop,
highliting (sic) their set is 'Another Kill' which is at least memorable, if
slightly typical."
Morrissey writes about the impact of punk under the title "A Fabulous
Adventure... A True Story": "So you think you're cool cos you're on
the dole and you think you're hip because you've got a swastika plashed across
your torn tee shirt and you think you're tough because The Clash are Your band,
well big deal! If you live in Manchester then I'm running with you, but if
you're an out of towner, wipe the mascara out of your eyes 'cos London burned
down with boredom and spark fly in downtown Manchester! And if you're not
around to feel the beat, well that's just too bad babbeee! (...) Sure you've
heard of Buzzcocks and you might have a Slaughter And The Dogs single, but ever
since The Sex Pistols first venture into Mancunian territory in June '76, a new
generation of home grown bands has emerged. Yeah, the story's the same and one
band's good until you've seen the next. And suddenly The Hollies and Herman's
Hermits won't fare too well the next time someone does a feature on Manchester
Rock and Roll."
Morrissey's Top 13 albums of all time are:
Jobriath - Jobriath
Jeff Buckley - Grace
The Smoking Popes - Born To Quit
Damien Dempsey - Seize The Day
Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure (AM8)
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico (AM10)
The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
Sparks - Kimono My House
Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power
Nico - Chelsea Girl
Patti Smith - Horses (AM10)
Ramones - Ramones
New York Dolls - New York Dolls
Morrissey's Top 13 albums of all time are:
Jobriath - Jobriath
Jeff Buckley - Grace
The Smoking Popes - Born To Quit
Damien Dempsey - Seize The Day
Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure (AM8)
The Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground & Nico (AM10)
The Velvet Underground - White Light/White Heat
Sparks - Kimono My House
Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power
Nico - Chelsea Girl
Patti Smith - Horses (AM10)
Ramones - Ramones
New York Dolls - New York Dolls