2013
NME, 12 January 2013
'We're all messengers, aren't we? That's what life is, sending out and receiving messages. It can be a gesture, positive or negative, it can be the ultimate act of selfless love...'
Finally setting out on his own, the guitar godhead talks us through his solo debut, track by track.
NME, 16 February 2013
'I've always been pathological about moving forward. And I feel like I've got enough to be getting on with right now.'
Heaven knows he's godlike now by Barry Nicolson.
Ever since he formed The Smiths, Johnny Marr has been at the forefront of indie rock, shaping it for future generations. That's why on February 27 he will be crowned Godlike Genius at the NME Awards. Barry Nicolson traces his path to Godliness, and hears about some e-mails to Morrissey...
Magnet, February 2013
'After 70 songs and an incredible time, it was just the right moment to move on.'
This charming man by Jonathan Valania.
Twenty-five years after quitting the Smiths, Johnny Marr finally goes solo. Plus, everything you wanted to know about the Smiths but were afraid to ask and/or didn't have their phone numbers.
Mojo, February 2013
'I quickly recognised the value of having my own spirit in this record . . . When the record was finished I thought I'd achieved those things.'
The boy with the thorn in his side by Pat Gilbert.
Blessed yet bedogged by the legend of The Smiths, Johnny Marr has spent 25 fast-moving years as a globetrotting genius-for-hire, tripping balls with The The and rocking out with The Cribs. Now he's come home, inspired by English weather, Aldous Huxley and his younger self to take the role he's always shunned: frontman and solo artist.
Loaded, March 2013
'I was hungry to write some words and I was hungry to sing. I was eager to make a record where all the guitars were done by me.'
Time for a little bit Marr by Matthew Drake.
A quarter of a century since leaving indie icons The Smiths, Johnny Marr's reputation as a true guitar legend is well-established. About time he released his first solo album, then...
Q, March 2013
'At the moment, collaborations don't seem that interesting to me. The great thing about doing your own record is it's all your own notions.'
Ca$h for questions by Chris Catchpole.
He was expecting queries about "my hair and getting The Smiths back together". So how would the six-string legend tackle topics such as La's mystery man Lee Mavers and "the worst chord in the world"? Oh, and The Cribs' hair?
Vive Le Rock, March 2013
'I tend to pathologically look forward - I really fear looking back too much. When I've done something for a while, unless I can see change in it, I don't want to stay. I can't imagine being in the same situation in a three or a four year period.'
A Charming Man by Scott Zverblis.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation, Johnny Marr has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the one thing that fuels his creativity: writing songs. From his meteoric rise to fame as guitarist and songwriter with Manchester band The Smiths in the 1980s, to their premature and messy breakup, to his subsequent collaborations, Marr has done whatever it takes to feed his creative appetite. Scott Zverblis spoke to the guitarist about those dreaded Smiths reunion rumours and more importantly, about the making of his debut solo album.
Real Detroit Weekly, 24 April 2013
'I like my audience, the ones who understand me, who know what I'm about . . . they're quite quirky and quite funny.'
God of the guitar by Alysa Zavala.
Interview with Johnny prior to his April 26th gig in Detroit, in which he discusses his solo career, working on soundtracks, Motown, and his fan base.
NME, 18 May 2013
'I'm a pretty idealistic person. I like over-achievers with something to say the best.'
God of fuckin everything by Matt Wilkinson.
Godlike genius, unmistakable wordsmith and legendary guitar player. Now we can add US conqueror and all-round cosmic guy to Johnny Marr's career feats. Matt Wilkinson heads to California to catch up with the man himself to talk mind, body, spirit and...Aldous Huxley.
NME, 21 December 2013
'We need to not take the fun out of being in a band, and liking bands, for granted. We need to start ignoring the crass mass media by not engaging with and not believing in it.'
The queen's speech is dead by Johnny Marr.
Starting the year by being crowned our Godlike Genius, Johnny Marr gets to sign it off with his alternative Queen's speech. But if you're Spotify, David Cameron and Haim... well, best stick to Her Majesty's effort.
2014
NME, 29 March 2014
'Kids who feel alienated at school from the mainstream types and want something different from life will always bond over guitar bands. It's happened too long to think it'll ever be any different.'
NME Heroes: Palma Violets meets Johnny Marr by Al Horner.
Joint interview between Johnny and Palma Violets frontman Chilli Jessen as part of NME's 'Heroes' issue.
NME, 14 June 2014
'I haven't gone off anywhere with my yoga mat to meditate and take a deep look at my inner self to share with the world. I just formed rock'n'roll band who play uptempo music and I want to continue that way for a long time.'
Marr's Attack by Rhian Daly.
Interview with Johnny about his upcoming second solo album, as well as issues such as pay-to-play and the prison guitar ban.
Hot Press, 15 October 2014
Marr Attacks! by Roisin Dwyer.
The former Smiths guitarist has had a fresh lease of life following the release last year of his first solo album. Now he's back for seconds with a cracking follow-up. He discusses growing old with dignity, playing music with his sons [sic] and why he sees himself as an 'actor' who doesn't like to be typecast.
Loaded, October 2014
'I just say I'm Noel Gallagher when I get recognised' by Andy Welch.
Hallowed ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr talks his love of taking the Tube, his hatred of Tony Blair and why he worships Britain's youth. Just don't drop the Morrissey bomb if you see him on the Underground. Or ask about the chances of a Smiths reunion...
Q, November 2014
'I've been called a workaholic but I don't think I'm driven in any negative way. I'm just enthusiastic. I believe in bands, I believe in music, I believe it's art. I believe, still, there's nothing quite so powerful as an 18-year-old with nothing to lose.'
The boy with a thorn in his side by Sylvia Patterson.
Since 1987, Johnny Marr has been a full-time member of bands such as The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs. He's worked with Talking Heads and The Pretenders. He's just releases his excellent second solo LP. And yet people only ever want to know when he's re-forming The Smiths...
Rolling Stone (Australia), November 2014
“In our day-to-day living, particularly in cities, when we’re chasing consumerism, sex and drugs and money and status, is it because we’re not able to be with ourselves? Is the pursuit of those things creating the very things that we’re escaping from? Neurosis and addiction and paranoia?”
Keep Moving by Michael Dwyer
Short interview about Johnny’s solo career and Playland.
Vive Le Rock, December 2014
'It's important to sound like your environment and on this record that's London and Manchester. The feeling of the cities and the people make it into the music.'
Star Guitar by Eugene Butcher.
With new album 'Playland' topping many a critic's end-of-year list, Johnny Marr has stepped out of the shadow of The Smiths and embraced his love of American alt...
2014
NME, 29 March 2014
'Kids who feel alienated at school from the mainstream types and want something different from life will always bond over guitar bands. It's happened too long to think it'll ever be any different.'
NME Heroes: Palma Violets meets Johnny Marr by Al Horner.
Joint interview between Johnny and Palma Violets frontman Chilli Jessen as part of NME's 'Heroes' issue.
NME, 14 June 2014
'I haven't gone off anywhere with my yoga mat to meditate and take a deep look at my inner self to share with the world. I just formed rock'n'roll band who play uptempo music and I want to continue that way for a long time.'
Marr's Attack by Rhian Daly.
Interview with Johnny about his upcoming second solo album, as well as issues such as pay-to-play and the prison guitar ban.
Hot Press, 15 October 2014
Marr Attacks! by Roisin Dwyer.
The former Smiths guitarist has had a fresh lease of life following the release last year of his first solo album. Now he's back for seconds with a cracking follow-up. He discusses growing old with dignity, playing music with his sons [sic] and why he sees himself as an 'actor' who doesn't like to be typecast.
Loaded, October 2014
'I just say I'm Noel Gallagher when I get recognised' by Andy Welch.
Hallowed ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr talks his love of taking the Tube, his hatred of Tony Blair and why he worships Britain's youth. Just don't drop the Morrissey bomb if you see him on the Underground. Or ask about the chances of a Smiths reunion...
Q, November 2014
'I've been called a workaholic but I don't think I'm driven in any negative way. I'm just enthusiastic. I believe in bands, I believe in music, I believe it's art. I believe, still, there's nothing quite so powerful as an 18-year-old with nothing to lose.'
The boy with a thorn in his side by Sylvia Patterson.
Since 1987, Johnny Marr has been a full-time member of bands such as The The, Electronic, Modest Mouse and The Cribs. He's worked with Talking Heads and The Pretenders. He's just releases his excellent second solo LP. And yet people only ever want to know when he's re-forming The Smiths...
Rolling Stone (Australia), November 2014
“In our day-to-day living, particularly in cities, when we’re chasing consumerism, sex and drugs and money and status, is it because we’re not able to be with ourselves? Is the pursuit of those things creating the very things that we’re escaping from? Neurosis and addiction and paranoia?”
Keep Moving by Michael Dwyer
Short interview about Johnny’s solo career and Playland.
Vive Le Rock, December 2014
'It's important to sound like your environment and on this record that's London and Manchester. The feeling of the cities and the people make it into the music.'
Star Guitar by Eugene Butcher.
With new album 'Playland' topping many a critic's end-of-year list, Johnny Marr has stepped out of the shadow of The Smiths and embraced his love of American alt...
2015
Mojo, January 2015
'You can't compete with a myth. You just have to get over yourself and realise how lucky you are. Playing a song to 1,200 in a room, 40,000 people in a field, and them loving it, just cuts through all that bullshit.'
Johnny the Revelator by Pat Gilbert.
Hungry for risk, guitarslinger Marr hits Bournemouth and Brixton (with a little help from Noel Gallagher).
Dynamic, April 2015
“I like my audience. It’s interesting to me to know what some of them do and what they’re about. I’ve always thought the fans were really important.”
Every word’s hidden meaning by Aly Stevenson
In-depth interview with Johnny about fan culture, lyricism, spirituality, philosophy, The Situationist International, and of course, Playland.
2016
2017
Q, 30th anniversary special, August 2016
“No matter what, you must learn not to second-guess yourself. People recognise when you do something for reasons that are genuine; the fact that my trajectory may be seen as eccentric is a bonus.”
Q Modern Hero: Johnny Marr by Pat Gilbert
Short interview covering topics such as past bands, working with Hans Zimmer, and Q magazine itself.
Herald Sun, 8 December 2016
“My lifestyle isn’t part of some contrived old rock star regret or anything like that, I just do whatever I think is going to make me the most productive.”
On the Marr side by Cameron Adams
Interview for an Australian weekend newspaper, covering such topics as Set The Boy Free, The Smiths, and veganism.
Classic Pop, December 2016
“I made a pact with myself when I was younger that I was never going to be about nostalgia or reflection, which is a drawback when you’re writing your autobiography! But the book has an energy, and it doesn’t feel too reflective.”
The history boy by John Earls
Interview about Set The Boy Free.
2018
Guitar & Bass, February 2017
“The most revealing aspect of writing the book was just how young I was, especially where The Smiths are concerned.”
Marr on life by John Earls
Alternative version of John Earls’ Set The Boy Free-centric interview with Johnny, previously published in Classic Pop (December 2016).