He’s known for his brilliant guitar work in The Smiths, Modest Mouse & The Cribs and this year he was also awarded the NME Godlike Genius award.
Colm caught up with Johnny Marr at Electric Picnic.
First English born in an Irish family, Johnny Marr spoke about growing up in a family obsessed with music: “I grew up around real music freaks....music was always the religion, so it’s in my history. I grew up thinking that music was just a really important part of your life”.
The legendary guitarist admitted to Colm that he doesn’t like producing anymore: “There’s only so many hours in the day and I think I’d rather put that time into writing lyrics and developing my own songs now”.
Dispelling rumours about touring with The Smiths, Marr explained: “Morrissey... lived for being out on stage and I lived for being in the studio. People thought it was the other way round...I didn’t really like touring in the Smiths....now I actually prefer playing live which I’m really happy about”.
Johnny revealed that he is getting less open to all music as he gets older: “I’m alright with that, I think it’s a good thing”, blaming The X Factor and The Voice for this change of opinion. “I like what I like...I love new bands...but I think it’s good to know what you’re about”.
Listen to full interview here:
It was so good to be back in Ireland. Nice one today Electric Picnic. pic.twitter.com/Cc8ETcniUD
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) September 2, 2013
Check out the video for Johnny's latest single, 'New Town Velocity':
The Mix Up, 7-10pm
