Strangeways -- A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths

BABYL OPTIONS:
Version: 5
Labels:
Note:   This is the header of an rmail file.
Note:   If you are seeing it in rmail,
Note:    it means the file has no messages in it.

1,,
Received: from ics.uci.edu by aramis.rutgers.edu (5.59/SMI4.0/RU1.4/3.08)
id AA12561; Tue, 11 Jun 91 13:56:11 EDT
Received: from bonnie.ics.uci.edu by ics.uci.edu id aa16572; 11 Jun 91 10:42 PDT
Date:     Tue, 11 Jun 91 10:41:11 PDT
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject:  Strangeways Summer Transcripts
To: pirmann@cs.rutgers.edu
To:
Message-Id:  <9106111041.aa27031@Bonnie.ics.uci.edu>

*** EOOH ***
Date:     Tue, 11 Jun 91 10:41:11 PDT
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject:  Strangeways Summer Transcripts
To: pirmann@cs.rutgers.edu
To:

Welcome to...
_________________________________________________
|                                                \
|   S  T  R  A  N  G  E  W  A  Y  S               >
|________________________________________________/
A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths.

Summer Edition Volume 1, Issue #1

To post to Strangeways, please send mail to Kevin at
kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu. 

This list is a temporary Strangeways mailing list
that will run during the summer.  I don't want to
be making a lot of modifications to the list
during the summer, so please don't ask to be taken
off of it :-).  It will be removed at the end of
the summer.

Well, it seems the test post went fairly well, thanks
to all who responded.  This is the first time I've
experimented with csh scripts so who knows what was
going to happen :-).  Let's get started then.

<----->

Greetings and welcome to Strangeways Summer Edition.  The
format will be the same for the normal Strangeways mailing
list, except as stated before, this list will disappear
at the end of Summer.  If you are new to Strangeways and
are not on the regular list, you must re-subscribe in
the Fall to the regular mailing list (details will be in
the final issue of the Summer edition...don't worry about
it now). 

I will be managing the list for the summer so please send
any modifications to me (not Michael since he will be gone
for the summer).

Alright...with that out of the way, lets get some discussion
going.  There are only about ten people on the list right now
so I don't think there will be much activity, therefore posts
will go out as soon as I receive them instead of waiting for
a certain number of posts, etc.  If there is a lot of activity,
I will resort back to the journal format. 

The compilation of all posts will be made available in the
Fall for people wishing to collect Strangeways in a journal
format and for those who missed out on the Summer session.

<----->

So what do people think about Electronic, Johnny Marr's latest,
greatest band.  I was just reading a review in our local paper
about the upcoming release of Electronic's self titled debut.
I've heard from a lot of people that it sounds a lot like New
Order but often with a stronger guitar backup.  Both Sumner and
Marr claim to enjoy the "dark, good rock music" of their
respective former groups (Joy Division and the Smiths, that is...
New Order is supposedly still together).  Marr expressed interests
in pursuing 'dance' type music (similar to New Order and Pet
Shop Boys) while in the Smiths, but we all know how Moz feels
about disco :-).  Anyway, the new album should be an interesting
diversion from Morrissey and the Smiths.

The NME interview is also very enlightening.  Here's a quote for
everyone:

The people that mourned, _and are still mourning_ the
demise of the Smiths can just lock themselves in the
basement for the rest of their lives without running
out of Smiths stuff to hear.  That's what I say to
people - 'isn't there enough there?'

Fair enough.  Both Morrissey and Marr want to leave behind the
Smiths and pursue their own musical careers.  We'll just have to
wait and see what comes about.

Well, I'm ready for the Morrissey concerts...I'm not going to
be able to sleep all week :-).  Anyone else going to the L.A.
concerts? 

=K=

<----->

Date: 27 May 91 23:37:19
From: Nicole.E.Nelson@mac.dartmouth.edu
Subject: Mozzer, Marr

I think that ther is something to be said that The Smiths was really just the
Mozzer . Thought I am not fam. with Marr's work after the breakup, I have
heard some of electronic's stuff, and i must say that it is lacking is
something.
I think that the whole Smiths thing will always be some type of shadow that he
will live in, that i don't think he will be able to breakout of.
Then again maybe not.
I personally don't really like Marr's post-smiths work.  I wonder, how much
influence Moz had over the music?

I just wanted to send out a little warning to all those who plan on going to
see Mozzer. he has been known to cancel ( yes cancel, i'm a victim) shows. So
even though you have tickets don't get too excited until u are there and he
takes the stage.

Ciao- exams are here
There's more to life than books you know
but not much more.
Time is against me now............

Nicolatta

[ I kind of liked his work with Talking Heads.  The The is not my favorite,
  though.  Electronic should be interesting. =K= ]

<----->

Date: 28 May 91 11:39:16
From: Michael.C.Massengale@mac.dartmouth.edu
Subject: Re: Strangeways closing


I've heard a few tracks off the new Electroninc album. Yes, very New Order-ish
and yes, Johnny's guitar does have a presence.  What I've heard is good, but I
wouldn't classify it as outstanding. I do like Get the Message a lot, though.

Got tix for the June 17 Morrissey show in Dallas. I'm now trying to schmooze
my way onto the guest list. I give myself a pretty good chance - I ought to
know today.

Hasn't anybody heard any more about the shows?

Well, I'll be around for another week and I'll post agains with any news.

Later,
Michael

<----->

From: Simon Hughes <sph@doc.imperial.ac.uk>
Date: Tue, 28 May 91 14:12:39 BST
Subject: Strangeways

In Strangeways #17 Michael writes
>I got copies of two Smiths boots today, both from cassettes. The first is
>labelled "Derby 7/12/83"
I'm pretty sure this gig is the one that was shown on UK TV (and hence a very
common bootleg) all those years ago.  In fact it may have been the only Smiths
gig ever shown on UK TV (meaning I can't remember any others!).

and Kevin quotes Moz on the Manchester `scene'
>       None of those groups
> had the songs or the spirit that the Smiths had, and they
> don't present themselves in a new way.  The Smiths were like
> nothing that had ever occurred before, and that's a hard
> thing to do
It always winds me up when musicians, singers etc. ramble on about being soooo
unique as though this made somehow better than the rest.  It's not so much the
claim to be `unique' (although this is often bollox) but rather the claim that
they are uniquely unique!  Sure The Smiths may have been a pretty unique set-up
but I can think of loads of other groups who are equally unique, just in
different ways.  Amongst these, for instance, I would definitely include Happy
Mondays.

Simon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College.  Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk

<----->

Date: 28 May 91 17:25:16
From: Nicole.E.Nelson@mac.dartmouth.edu
Subject: getting away with it

I personaly didn't care for The The even with Marr. As for electronic well If
getting away with it is anything like the new album, I think that they ( he
and Bernie ) are getting way way with murder.
He and Summer seem to be living of their past. Summer needs to go back and
work with New Order, and Marr needs to stay away from disco.
I just hope that they are not putting out what i  call trash.


nicole

[ I liked Get the Message much better than Getting Away With It.  I like
  new order and all, but when I think of Marr, I want to here a lot of
  guitar.  I guess that's just my opinion.           =K=                 ]

<----->

Date: Tue, 28 May 91 10:19:28 PDT
From: 28-May-1991 1315 <hebert@cals.enet.dec.com>
Subject: Great Woods show

Got tix to Morrissey for the July 3 show at Great Woods in Mass. This
will be my first time seeing him and I'm amazingly excited. On FNX (a
Boston radio station) they were warning people about how hard it would
be to get tix to the show - i.e. they said the L.A. Forum sold out in
20 minutes, - that people would be camping out all night the night
before tix went on sale, etc.  It got so that I had really bad
nightmares the night before of not getting tex. ;^)  But I got to the
ticketmaster place (in a tiny obscure town west of Boston -
Northboro, MA) at 9:00 AM - tix went on sale at 10:00 - and I had my tix
by 10:20 - pretty good seats - and, a full week later - the following
Saturday - I heard that some seats were still available for his show!
So, I guess Great Woods is no L.A. Forum.  Maybe I'll see some of you
there - even though I don't know any of you. ;^)

Oh, and I have the Morrissey video Hulmerist - and I was noticing what
a major-league difference there is when I compare the fans on the
video in England waiting in line for his show - chanting "Morrissey,
Morrissey, Morrissey..." to waiting in line in Northboro Mass.
(Northboro was mega lame in comparison! ;^) ) - Who knows - maybe
Boston Mass. was a bit wilder but I kind of doubt it compared either.

- Charlotte (who's chanting "Morrissey, Morrissey, Morrissey" but
silently to herself)

<----->
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Morrissey Concert at the Pacific Amp.

Warning:  I've included the entire play list from the concert.  If
you want to be surprised at the concert, scroll through it quickly :-).



Well, I just got back from the Morrissey concert at the Pacific
Amphitheater.  It was great to see Morrissey on stage, unfortunately,
the show only lasted a mere 70 minutes and he only played a two song
encore.  Here's the play list:

Interesting Drug
Mute Witness
The Last of the Famous International Playboys
November Spawned A Monster
Will Never Marry
Sing Your Life
Asian Rut
Our Frank
King Leer
Everyday Is Like Sunday
(I'm the) End of the Family Line
There Is A Place in Hell for Me and My Friends
Piccadilly Palare
? (Pregnant for the Last Time)
Suedehead
That's Entertainment

Encore:
? (Cosmic Dancer)
Disappointed

A lot of people were pissed off that it was so short.  They were
also probably the idiots that paid $300/seat for tickets, too.
Lawn seats were being sold for $80. 

There were two songs I didn't recognize and I assumed they were
from his new single.  The first one had lyrics like "Don't throw
your life away...it's not trash" or something like that.  The
second started "I was dancing when I was twelve".  Any ideas?

Phranc (pronounced Frank) opened the show (if you can call it
an opening).  Pretty folk-ish, but all in all, not too bad.
What was really neat was between Phranc and Morrissey, they
were playing, I think, some of Morrissey's favorite songs.  A
lot of New York Dolls and they also played the original songs
of "Work Is A Four Letter Word" and "Golden Lights" by the
original artists.

T-Shirts were pretty lame...white with a design on it, the covers
from _Bona Drag_ and _Kill Uncle_.  There was one for the tour
but it was sold out...if you want souvineers, get there early :-)

There was also a _Kill Uncle_ tour program that has all the tour
information and a complete discography including "Pregnant for the
Last Time".  When did you say the single was coming out Simon?

Here are tour dates for those interested:
30 May San Diego Arena
1 June Orange County Pacific Ampitheatre
2 June Los Angeles Forum
5 June Las Vegas University Hall
7 June Santa Barbara County Bowl
8 June Berkeley Greek Theatre
9 June Sacramento California Exposition Center
11 June Phoenix Compton Terrace
13 June Salt Lake City Park West
15 June Denver Paramount/Red Rocks
17 June Dallas Starplex
18 June Austin Coliseum
19 June Houston Woodlands
21 June Atlanta Fox Theatre
22 June Nashville Starwood
25 June Chicago The World
26 June Detroit Meadowbrook
27 June Cincinatti Riverbend
29 June Cleveland Nautica
30 June Pittsburgh Tower Theatre
3 July Boston Greatwoods
5 July Toronto Kingswood
7 July Philadelphia Tower Theatre
8 July Washington D.C. Merriweather
10 July Long Island Jones Beach
11 July New Jersey Garden State
13 July New York Madison Square Garden

The tour is only about a month and a half long.  A lot of people are
going to be disappointed at the length of the concert but it's well
worth it to see Morrissey back on stage.  Is it just me or does his
band look like their stuck in the 50's?  They remind me a bit like
the Stray Cats, especially the way Gary Day was slapping the bass.

Anyway, last comment.  New single "Pregnant for the Last Time" has
the following tracks:

Pregnant for the Last Time
Skin Storm
Cosmic Dancer
Disappointed (Live)

Should be a good single.  At least it'll be longer than 10 minutes :-).
The songs that they played presumable from this single were really
good, some of the best (in my opinion) since Everyday is Like Sunday.
"Everyday is Like Sunday" was really done differently, but very
interesting.  Hope you all enjoy the concerts. 

I want reviews from everyone on this list!  There aren't a lot of
people on the list, so in order to keep it active, you guys have
to be active.  Just a little pep talk :-).

Anyway, I've got to get some sleep for the Forum show tomorrow
(actually, it's tonight now).  If someone tapes the show, please
send me a copy.  It looked like they were doing a lot of taping
for some future video.  Oh well, that's it.

=K=

<----->

From: Simon Hughes <sph@doc.imperial.ac.uk>
Date: Sun, 2 Jun 91 13:24:28 BST
Subject: Re: Strangeways Summer Discussion

Kevin writes
>Is it just me or does his
>band look like their stuck in the 50's?  They remind me a bit like
>the Stray Cats, especially the way Gary Day was slapping the bass.
Well, Moz did meet them all in a rockabilly club (apparently) and Baz Boorer
was in The Polecats.

Simon
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Simon Hughes, Dept. of Computing, Imperial College.  Email: sph@doc.ic.ac.uk

<----->

Date: Mon, 3 Jun 91 14:22:42 PDT
From: CAR-RT SORT 03-Jun-1991 1722 <arthur@hpsrad.enet.dec.com>
Subject: Morrissey review from LA...Thanks to my friend Vicki...(Ed)

MORRISSEY  w/ Phranc at the Fab Forum  6/2/91

I think the biggest irony of this show had to be Phranc, a politically
correct folk singer, playing at the Forum.  And actually doing a very
good job at it.  I really didn't think a basketball arena would be an
appropriate place to see a lone singer w/ her guitar, but actually the
acoustics weren't bad; you could really hear her sing.  The audience,
consisting mainly of teen-age Mozzer fanatics, gave her a warm
reception and cheered loudly every time she said "lesbian."  (Syd
Straw sang a couple of songs w/ her including "Surfer Girl.")

As soon as Morrissey and his rockabilly band hit the stage, thousands
of flowers, glow in the dark things, toilet paper rolls, etc.. hit the
stage.  Throughout the first 2 songs, M was hit by all these things
as well as tossed, pushed, hugged, kiss, grabbed by numerous members
of the audience who got passed the weak security.  Amazingly he just
kept right on singing & dancing & falling around the stage in his
usual manner, completely oblivious.  (Except at one point when he
threw himself backwards over the monitor, an adventurous fan grabbed his
crotch....he quickly got up laughing...it didn't stop him from doing
this again.)  He spent a good part of the show rolling around on the
stage in his faux misery. 

The band was pretty good.  I thought the new songs sounded good with a
rockabilly twist.  Most of the stuff he played was off of either "Kill
Uncle" or "Bona Drag," except for a few covers.  One was a called
"Trash" which I believe is a New York Dolls cover, but I'm not that
familiar with their music.  (I know he was taping some songs for KROQ
to broadcast tomorrow and one of them is a NYD cover.) The show was
also being filmed for a documentary. (They did most of the filming the
night before @ his show in Irvine.)

The highlight of the show was definitely the encore.  I wish I knew
what song it was (another cover)...someone said a T-Rex song, but it
was pretty mellow.  Anyway, he starts singing this song, and I'm
looking thru the binoculars and I see this figure emerge from
backstage...then I hear the voice. I turn in excitement & hit my
friend saying, "That's David Bowie!"  The audience's roar increased
tenfold as Bowie sauntered across the stage.  That number definitely
made it worth the over-priced crummy seats.

He did one more song then ended the show, with the audience still in
high-gear & wanting more.

-Vicki

<----->

Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1991 14:47:24 PDT
Sender: Carla_Botton.ES_M6@xerox.com
From: cb.es_m6@xerox.com
Subject: Morrissey- 6/2/91 in the Forum

I won't bore people with the details since I'm sure many people will write in
with reviews so I will give my impressions briefly.  It was incredible, with
the obvious highlight being the surprise appearance of David Bowie, most
excellent. (recorded footage for his documentary).   I was a little
disappointed that they only were on for an hour and twenty minutes although the
concert the night before was only a little over an hour(I didn't go but a
friend went to both shows and said the sound, show and excitement was much
better at the Forum- pays to go on a Sunday night I guess).
Also, if anyone is planning to go see him soon please let me know,  they sold
out of the "Queen" t-shirts long before I got anywhere near, and I would love
one- wait till you see the BOY pose on one of them- it's really SWEET.

I wanted to mention something that maybe no-one else will, is the promo things
on the cars when we got out of the concert.  There was a sheet with 8 Smiths
videos:
#061 The Smith Compilation (95 Minutes)-Features interviews and conversations
with Morrissey and Johnny Marr. Rare BBC appearances and footage live in Derby.
062 The Smiths Documentary (100 Minutes) Features live footage, interviews,
promos, and documentaries about Morrissey (?? that's what it says).
063 The Smiths Live at Kilburn Ballroom Concert 1986 (85 minutes)
064 The Smiths Live at Salford University - England 1986
065 The Smiths Live at Spain Concert 1985 (65 minutes)
066 The Smiths Live in Germany Concert 1984
067 The Smiths Live at Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (80 minutes)
068 The Smiths Live at Brixton Academy (85 minutes)
Southland Imports
3551 Verde Street
Riverside, California 92504
Says $25.00 per VHS tape- sounds like a lot and I don't even know if they are
legitmate so beware- I called information and they don't exist but that may
just mean that it is a person not a real business.  But if this is mail fraud I
take no responsibility- if anyone knows anything about it please post.

Also today Morrissey has agreed to record a special recording for KROQ only-
will be broadcast tomorrow(6-4-91) 4 times- hopefully someone will record it -
I will be in SF for work- figures.

Carla

<----->

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Forum Show

The Forum show was about 25 times better than the Pacific Amp show.  There
was a whole lot more energy and Morrissey was just great.  Half of it, I'd
was was the crowd and the smaller venue.  The sound really gets around in
a closed dome which just wasn't there for the Pacific show.  Anyway, it
was great.

Some notes: 
At the Concert:
Morrissey was letting people onto the stage.  Most were fairly
respectable giving him a hug or something like that.  One person just
about dove onto him and brought him to the floor.  Another very lucky
girl got to dance with him for nearly two minutes.  At least security
was a bit better here and only a few people got onto stage (in
comparison to the Pacific show which was literally a tide). 

David Bowie with Morrissey?!?!  Something you really have to
see to believe :-).  I believe the song was Cosmic Dancer from his
upcoming single.  Unbelievable!   

Other Moz stuff:
My local record store says that the new single "Pregnant for
the Last Time" will be in stores on Thursday, June 14 (in the US).  Here's
something strange I noticed...the b-sides of the singe to be released
do not correspond to the b-sides of the single in the discography
of the program from the concert.  Any ideas?

I almost forgot...KROQ is recording this "exclusive" set of
songs exclusively for the KROQ listeners.  BTW, if you're in LA, try
out the new 103.1 MARS radio...it's significantly better than KROQ.
Anyway, the Morrissey songs are going to be played at 10, 1, 4 and 8
during the day.  I don't know if I'll be able to tape it, though. 
If some one does, please let everyone know. 

=K=

<----->

Date: Tue, 4 Jun 91 06:41:26 PDT
From: 04-Jun-1991 0934 <hebert@cals.enet.dec.com>
Subject: What about Viva Hate?

In the last posting someone wrote that Morrissey seems to be doing songs
mainly from Bona Drag and Kill Uncle (in addition to covers and his
new stuff) and this does seem to be confirmed from the set lists I've
seen - but what I want to know is why he's not doing anything from
Viva Hate? Anybody have any ideas? Do you think this stuff just seems
too old to him now and he's grown bored with it? I've been listening to
Viva Hate a lot of late and I'm amazed (once again) by how good it
is(!)  Songs like Maudlin Street, Ordinary Boys, Alsatian Cousin, etc.
- in many respects I don't think these can be beat. I know I'll be
yelling for Maudlin Street when I see him (a whole month from now -
sigh) - but don't ask what good it'll do me - I have a feeling it
won't do much.  Seeing Morrissey sing that one - that nice looong one
that I think has to be one of his best - would be a real treat to me.

Keep the reviews coming - they're getting the rest of us psyched!

-Charlotte

<----->

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Viva Hate material

Here's my personal opinion about Viva Hate.  It is an outstanding
album, however, it's not meant for a two guitar, one bass, one drummer
outfit.  If you listen to the music, you'll notice a lot of violins
and violas, almost like a small orchestra.  You'll understand this
when you hear Morrissey play "Everyday is Like Sunday" with his
current band.  (Those of you who have seen it know what I'm talking
about).  Some songs worked well, but I can't really imagine the
band playing Maudlin Street.  That's not to say Morrissey doesn't
still like those songs, it's just that they loose something in his
current lineup.

=K=

<----->

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject:  Morrissey Tape from KROQ

I just heard the KROQ tape that Morrissey recorded last night...nothing
really spectacular.  He played:

There's A Place in Hell For Me and My Friends
[new song] (no title specified)
Sing Your Life

The new song was not one of the new songs he played at the concerts.  I'll
make copies for anyone who wants them...it was only about 10 minutes
long :-(. 

=K=

<----->

From:  kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject:  Misc. Morrissey Stuff

The song that I didn't know at the time was "My Love Life"

The filming that was being done by Morrissey's crew at the Pacific
Amp and at the Forum (before the show only) will supposedly be on
a 1-hour long Rocumentary on MTV, according to KROQ.

I'm going to put together a tape with the short Morrissey interview,
a short "rock block" of Smiths/Morrissey oddities and the latest
"live" KROQ session.  It would be great if someone could make copies
of this tape for anyone interested.  Unfortunately, I don't have a
good tape to tape recorder.  Let me know if someone would like to
make copies.

=K=

<----->

Subject: Hello Strangeways!
Date: Wed, 05 Jun 91 14:34:17 -0400
From: sdans@watson.ibm.com

Hello Strangeways!
Kevin just mailed me the bunch of mail we've received so far, and I'm
glad to see that
everyone is having a blast with it.

Morrissey on tour again - unbelievable!  I can't wait until July 10, when he'll be
playing at Jones Beach here in NY.  I actually have an anecdote about my tickets:

I *was* going to get tix for the Madison Square Garden show on July
13th, but I arrived
at the Ticketmaster place at 7:30 and found about 10 guys with long
hair, sitting on a
Monte Carlo and guzzling beer.  Turns out Queensryche (sp?) tix were on
sale the same
day. at the same time, and it was 1st come, 1st served.  Well, by the
time I got near
the door, the one person who was there for Moz tix came out with a 2nd
tier seat, so....
I decided to wait until 10 AM, when Jones Beach tix went on sale.  I
was first on line
and got orchestra seats in the 20th row or so (I'm thinking of trading
up to at least
the first 5 rows).  Turns out that JB is actually excellent for concerts - all the
people I asked said it was the *best* place to see a concert, with the sea as a
background.  I can't wait!!!

I have a secret to confess - I still don't have Kill Uncle :-(.  Yes, I
know, I know.
I plan on getting it this week.  I've been kinda low on cash, so much
so that I now have
a cds.wishlist file that I add to almost daily.  Sigh...

I don't think I'll be getting the new Electronic cd, though I do like Depeche, New
Order, synth et al.  I really liked Marr in The The, in fact I've
always liked The The.
I saw them in concert about 2 years ago (with Marr) and I loved it.  My girlfriend
didn't really like it (she is also a big Smiths fan).

Those videos someone mentioned sound interesting - anybody buy one yet?
Let us know.

Back to work now,
| Dan |

<----->

Date: Fri, 7 Jun 91 20:21:07 PDT
From: Kevin Carhart <6600kevc%ucsbuxa@hub.ucsb.edu>
Subject: Re:  Strangeways Summer Discussion

I too went to Sunday's show at the LA Forum.  Very good show,
kind of short.. I went with my friend Joe who was blessed with
an extreme facial similarity to Morrissey, so he put his hair
up deliberately and he got a few comments.
I bootlegged it... it didn't turn out very well, but I think it's
pretty decent.  We were way near the top and it was a crummy
recorder, but I think it came out very well, considering.  People were
cheering when they thought Phranc was leaving and booing when she
came back out.
Kevin

"There's a club if you'd like to go
 You could meet somebody who really loves you
 So you go and you stand on your own
 And you leave on your own
 And you go home and you cry and you want to die.

 Then you say it's gonna happen now
 Well, when exactly do you mean?
 But I've already waited too long
 And all my hope is gone"

This way to...
 _________________________________________________
|                                                 \
|    S  T  R  A  N  G  E  W  A  Y  S               >
|_________________________________________________/

Volume 1, Issue #1

And now an introduction...

Greetings...

I just thought I'd introduce myself and the board we've started.
My name is Kevin and have been a Smiths/Morrissey fan since 1987
or so.  I had a weird friend in high school that got me hooked on
their music (of course that weird friend is now goes to West
Point...I hope you get a copy of this, John).  So here I am,
student of the illustrious University of California, Irvine as an
Info and Computer Science major and have noticed that although
there are a lot of Smiths fans, they are not ever in one place.
I don't really know anyone at school who LIKES The Smiths and/or
Morrissey (most just make fun of him..."Oh my cat died today...I
didn't really like him anyway...").  So, this newsletter is
dedicated to the real Smiths fans out there, the few, the proud,
the warped of mind.

My favorite Smiths song is "How Soon Is Now?" (it has a really cool
video if you ever get to see it - MTV play the Smiths...yeah right).
I guess that explains the title quote.  From Morrissey as a soloist,
I love "Everyday is Like Sunday" and "November Spawned A Monster".
(I also found "Get Off the Stage" an amusing little song.  I
expect it was directed towards Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.
I guess you have to listen to the KROQ interview to get that).

Strangeways is a place we can get together to discuss the Smiths
in any detail without having to deal with the flames of those who
do not enjoy their music (I suppose many of you have been reading
alt.rock-n-roll).  So lets get started...Enjoy and please send
posts...I'm sure this would quickly loose value if no one
bothered to send information. 

=K=       "Won't somebody stop me from thinking all the time"

------
Here's an introduction from Michael Massengale, who will be
distributing this newsletter weekly to our subscribers.

Date: 24 Feb 91 19:26:38
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways Introduction 

Anyway, I'm a freshman/person at Dartmouth College - a true Texan transplanted
in New Hampshire.  My home's in Fort Worth, but I now live in rural bliss.
Being cut off from much of the real world, I now depend on the net for
information about the music I like (**Morrissey & The Smiths** + significant
others like The Cure and other standard alternative fare).  Also, I'm a DJ on
the college radio station which helps me hear the new stuff sooner, but not
soon enough. That's probably all you WANT to know about me, so I'll stop
there, except to say that Morrissey & The Smiths account for almost 100% of
the money that I spend, knowing that I can't (thank goodness CD prices don't
rise at the rate of college tuition!)

Later,
Michael
-----
Alright...here's the format for this mailing list.  I'm going to try to
group all relevant articles together so hopefully there will be a little
order to these newsletters.  Basically, you will make this letter...I
will merely compile the posts and try to answer some of them.  A
newsletter should go out approximately every week or so depending on the
number of posts I get (it would be kinda stupid to send out a newsletter
of just posts by myself and Michael).  For your information, send all
posts to:  kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu.  Send all requests for
subscriptions to Strangeways to Micahel.C.Massengale@mac.dartmouth.edu
(tell your friends!).
-----

Date: Sun, 24 Feb 91 21:28:56 -0800
From: Carrion Child <loviatar%milton.u.washington.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: STRANGEWAYS

Greetings and Salutations fellow Smith fans. . .

I got into the Smiths the summer they broke up ('87) and have been
following all of them ever since.  I have a lot of their stuff in
one form or another, not to mention quite a few lyric books and
singles.


I have heard that Morrissey will be touring for his new album,
"Kill Uncle" (released feb 25th) early summer in europe, with considerations
for the U.S. in the late fall. . . anyone else?


Loviatar
-----

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Strangeways - Morrissey Tour, New Single

I've heard that the Morrissey album is due out March 5 in the US.  Is the
Feb. 25th date a UK release?  My import sources don't know when the album
is due out from London.

KROQ radio (Pasadena - L.A.) says that Morrissey is planning a US tour
in March but I seriously doubt that.  It's possible that he might start
touring in April or so in the states and then go to Europe in the summer.
I know Morrissey is popular in L.A., but how popular is he throughout the
nation? 

Well, as most of you should know, the new Morrissey single came out
last week on CD format so I went out and got it.  It's titled "Our
Frank" and has b-sides "Journalists Who Lie" and "Tony the Pony".
Overall, the single was good, but not as good as "November Spawned
A Monster" or "Everyday is Like Sunday".  Other opinions?

=K=
-----

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Strangeways - fan club info

Michael and I wanted to know generally how distributed the Strangeways
members were distributed across the nation.  I'm sure many others are
curious as well.  We're going to try to keep track of the locations
everyone writes in from and see where Morrissey/The Smiths are most
popular.  Please write in and tell us where you live.

Also, is anyone interested in typing up a discography for Morrissey/
The Smiths for the members of Strangeways?  I really don't have the
time to type one in.  I would really like to know what albums/CDs
are out there from the UK that we never really get to see in the
United States.  I think there are also some collections from Japan
that I've never seen, either.  Any volunteers?

I've got two tapes: one of the KROQ interview with Morrissey last year
and one "concert vault" tape of one of their 1985-86 tour shows.  If
someone would like to be in charge of copying and distributing them,
please let me know.  Please don't send requests for them just yet.

=K=
-----
Date: 23 Feb 91 21:23:38
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways...Morrissey Discography 

Howdy,

I just threw this together - it's everything that I own plus everything I've
seen.  I added catalogue numbers for the things I've got. You will probably be
able to add or correct it.

MORRISSEY DISCOGRAPHY

Albums

1988  "Viva Hate" - Alsatian Cousin/Little Man, What Now?/Everyday Is Like
Sunday/Bengali in Platforms/Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together/Late Night,
Maudlin Street/Suedehead/Break Up the Family/Hairdresser on Fire/The Ordinary
Boys/I Don't Mind If You Forget Me/Dial-A-Cliche/Maragaret on the Guillotine
US: Sire/Reprise LP (?), cassette, CD (9 25699-2)

1990 "Bona Drag" - Piccadilly Palare/Interesting Drug/November Spawned a
Monster/Will Never Marry/Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference/The
Last of the Famous International Playboys/Ouija Board, Ouija Board/Hairdresser
on Fire/Everyday Is Like Sunday/He Knows I'd Love To See Him/Yes, I Am
Blind/Lucky Lisp/Suedehead/Disappointed
US: Sire/Reprise LP (?), cassette, CD (9 26221-2)

1991 "Kill Uncle"

Singles

1988 "Suedehead" - Suedehead/I Know Very Well How I Got My Name/Hairdresser On
Fire/Oh Well, I'll Never Learn
US: Sire/Reprise 12" (missing "Oh Well, I'll Never Learn")
UK: EMI CD (CDPOP 1618)

1988 "Everyday Is Like Sunday" - Everyday Is Like Sunday/Sister, I'm a
Poet/Disappointed/Will Never Marry
US: Sire/Reprise 12"
UK: EMI CD (CDPOP 1619)

1989 "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" - The Last of the Famous
International Playboys/Lucky Lisp/Michael's Bones
US: Sire/Reprise 12", cassette maxi single (9 21163-4)
UK: EMI CD

1989 "Interesting Drug" - Interesting Drug/Such a Little Thing Makes Such a
Big Difference/Sweet and Tender Hooligan
US: Sire/Reprise 12", cassette maxi single (9 21232-4)
UK: EMI CD

1989 "Interesting Drug" - Interesting Drug/The Last of the Famous
International Playboys/Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference/Lucky
Lisp/Michael's Bones
Japan: EMI CD (CDP15-5889)

1989 "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" - Ouija Board, Ouija Board/Yes, I Am
Blind/East West
US: Sire/Reprise 12", cassette maxi single, CD (9 21424-2)
UK: EMI CD

1990 "November Spawned a Monster" - November Spawned a Monster/He Knows I'd
Love To See Him/Girl Least Likely To
US: Sire/Reprise 12", cassette maxi single, CD (9 21529-2)
UK: EMI CD

1990 "Piccadilly Palare" - Piccadilly Palare/At Amber/Get Off The Stage
UK: EMI CD (CDPOP 1624)

1991 "Our Frank" - Our Frank/Journalists Who Lie/Tony the Pony
UK: EMI CD

Hope this saves you some time. Someone will probably ask for it on
"Strangeways"!

Later,
Michael

[I think all UK singles have been released by "His Masters Voice" which
is a subsidiary of EMI.  (I may be wrong).]

-----

Well, not bad for a first issue.  That's about it for now...this will
give Micheal something to work on for a while.  I hope everyone gets
this.  Enjoy.

=K=
Welcome to...
_________________________________________________
|                                                \
|   S  T  R  A  N  G  E  W  A  Y  S               >
|________________________________________________/
A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths.

Volume 1, Issue #2

Let's get some information flowing...this is starting to work!

It looks like I'll be sending something out more or less daily
depending on a) how busy I am, and b) how many and how large of
posts I get.  Keep it coming!! 

=K=

-----

Date: 25 Feb 91 13:46:26
From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways

Marr- has been picked up by the talking heads-again

Nicol

[ Talking Heads?!?  When's their next album coming out?  I thought
  they had disbanded after Byrne went off on his solo career.  -K ]

-----
Date: 25 Feb 91 16:56:00
From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways

Here's a little Intro

My name is Nicole, i am also a dartmouth student(93). I live in NYC- which
happens to have a very large Smiths/Morrissey following.
I have been following Moz, and the gang since around 84/85. The first tune
that I ever heard was Suffer Little Children and Reel Around the Fountain. For
me it is impossible to have a "favorite Song" because Moz/Marr wrote so many
things together.
I have never seen Moz in concert for two rasons
1) Moz cancelled several of his shows in NYC on the Queen is dead tour
2) On the same tour (early date) i had i previous engagment that couldn't
broken
so I am one of the long time suffering Smiths Fan
 My thoughts On Moz solo

Well, I don't think that people should compare his work to that of the Smiths.
Moz has been a pretty good by himself. I know that many were disappointed by
Viva Hate, because they didn't have that "smiths" sound, though i wonder what
Marr would have done with Sudehead and Everyday is Like Sunday- because they
are WONDERFUL and SIMPLY CHARMING.

I didn't like the fact that Moz put out several singles and then a comp album.
How does the line go "Re-issue, Re-package, Re-evaluate the songs....."
I realise that HMV/EMI had a lot to do with that .
on the most part has singles have been good, with the exception of Ouija
Board- which I think is weak as a single but great on Bona Drag.

I heard that Moz was going to tour the states the spring. I think that we all
should remember that even if dates are set, that doesn't mean he is going to
perform. Moz has a rep. of cancelling shows. I heard that he real doesn't like
to tour, and if anyone has seen him in concert  or the video Sister I'm a
Poet, knows why.

I have some questions

Who, besides myself has The World Won't Listen on CD.- it's only an import on
CD, i think.

Who is the cover star on Hatful of Hollow???

Does anyone has the boot of with Wonderful Woman  with different lyrics

And- does anyone have the single This Charming Man New York/ This Charming Man
Manchester.

If anyone wants a Smiths discography I should be typing one in soon.

Nicole

People see no worth in you
oh but I do.
-----
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Strangeways

I think just about everyone who's a Smiths fan must have The World Won't
Listen or at least heard of it.  Most won't buy it because the songs have
all been released on other compilation albums.  I don't know why Rough
Trade released _the World Won't Listen_ and _Louder Than Bombs_ (the
first in the UK, the latter in the US) within a few months of each other.
Especially since they both contain almost the same songs!  Hmmm.

Just for the record, I have the CD (yes, import only).  Morrissey said
in an interview (at KROQ) that he enjoyed releasing singles and wasn't
really an "album" person.  Don't expect too much from the album...I
think EMI/HMV is forcing him to do something a bit longer than a
single. 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who found _Bona Drag_ a little disappointing.

Can't answer any of the other questions.  Just send the discography to
Strangeways.

=K=

-----
Date: 25 Feb 91 18:27:25
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: STRANGEWAYS: James cover?

Found this interesting tidbit in a James discography...

>The Smiths covered a James song - >'What's The World', on their cassingle
>'I Started Something I Couldn't Finish'.

Has anybody heard this?  Is this track available on CD?  And for that matter,
what Smiths tracks are unavailable on CD? I guess we'd know if we had a
complete discography.  If there are enough tracks (I personally thought they
were all out on CD), maybe we could make a compilation cassette.

Michael

-----

Date: 25 Feb 91 19:05:49
From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Discography

The Smiths Discography


Hand in Glove/Handsome Devil
 May 1983

This Charming Man/Jeane
Nov 83

This Charming Man(manchester) /This Charming Man(London)/ Accept Yourself/
Wonderful Woman
12" Nov 83

This Charming Man New York/ This Charming Man(instrumental
Dec. 1883

What Difference Does IT Make/ Back To The Old House
Jan 1984

What Difference Does It Make/ Back to The Old House/ These Thingsd Take Time
12" Feb 84

Hand In Glove/ I Don't Owe You Anything(Sandie Shaw w/The Smiths)
April 84

Hand in Glove/ I Don't Owe You Anything/Jeane( Sandie Shaw w/The Smiths)
12" April 84

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now/ Suffer Little Children
May 84

Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now/ Suffere Little Children/ Girl Afraid
12" May 84

William It Was Really Nothing/ Please PLease Let Me Get What I Want
Aug 1984

William It Was Really Nothing/ Please PLease Let Me Get What I Want/ How Soon
Is Now
12" Aug 1984

How Soon IS Now/ Well I Wonder
Feb 85

How Soon Is Now/ Well I Wonder/ Oscillate Wildly
Feb 85

Shakespeare's Sister/ What She Said
March 85

That Joke Isn't Funny Any More/ Meat Is Murder(live)
July 85

That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore/ Nowhere Fast(live)/ Stretch Out And Wait(live)/
Shakespeare's Sister(live)/ Meat Is Murder(live)
July 85

Big Mouth Strikes Again/ Money Changes Everything
May 86

Big Mouth Strikes Again/ Money CHanges Everything/ Unloveable
12" may 86

Panic/ Vicar In A Tutu
July  86

Panic/ Vicar In A Tutu/ The Draize Train
12" July 86

Ask/Cemetery Gates
Oct 86

Ask/Cemetery Gates/ Golden Lights
12" Oct 86

Shoplifters Of The World Unite/ Half A Person
Jan 87

Shoplifters of The World Unite/ Half A Person/London
12" Jan 87

You Just Haven't Earned It Yet Baby/ Half A Person/London
(mispress 12" jan 87)

Sheila Take A Bow/ Is It really So Strange/ Sweet And Tender Hooligan
12" April 87

Girlfriend In A Coma/ I Keep Mine Hidden
July 87

Girlfriend In A Coma/ I keep Mine Hidden/ Work Is A For Letter Word
12" July 87

I Started Something I Couldn't Finish? Pretty Girls Make Graves/ Some Girls
Are Bigger Than Others
12" Oct 87

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me/ Rusholme Ruffians
Dec 87

Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me /Rusholme Ruffians/ Nowhere Fast
12" dec 87

Albums

THE SMITHS
Released Februray 84

Reel Around The Fountain/You've Got Everything Now/Miserable Lie/Pretty Girls
Make Graves/ The Hand That Rocks The Cradle/ Still Ill/Hand In Glove/ What
Difference Does It Make/ I Don't Owe You Anything/ Suffer Little Children

Hatful Of Hollow
Released November 84

William It Was Really Nothing/ What Difference Does It Make / These Things
Take Time/ This Charmong Man/ How Soon Is Now/ Handsome Devil/ Hand In Glove/
Still ILL/Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now/This Night Has Opened My Eyes/You've
Got Everything Now/ Accept Yourself/Girl Afraid/Back To The Old House/ Reel
Around The Fountain/ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want.

Meat Is Murder
Released Febuary 1985

The Headmaster Ritual/Rusholme Ruffians/ I Want The One I Can't Have/ What She
Said/ That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore/ Nowhere Fast/ Well I Wonder/ Barbarism
Begins At Home/ Meat Is Murder.

The Queen Is Dead
Released June 1986

The Queen Is Dead/ Frankly Mr. Shankly/I Know It's All Over/ never Had No
Ever/Cemetery Gates /Big Mouth Strikes Again/The Boy With A Thorn In His Side/
Vicar In A Tutu/ There Is A Light That Never Goes Out/Some Girls Are Bigger
Than Others.

The World Won't Listen
Released March 87

Panic/Ask/London/Big Mouth Strikes Again/ Shakespeare's Sister/There is a
Light That Never Goes Out/Shoplifters Of The World Unite/The Boy With The
Thorn In His Side/Asleep/Unloveable/Half A Person/Stretch Out And Wait/ That
Joke Isn't Funny Anymore/Oscillate Wildly/ You Just Haven't Earned It Yet,
Baby/ Rubber Ring.

Louder Than Bombs
Sire (Double Us Import)
Release April 1987

Is It Really So Strange/Sheila Take A Bow/Shoplifters Of The World Unite/Sweet
and Tender Hooligan/Half A Person/ London/Panic/Girl Afraid/Shakespeare's
Sister/William It Was Really Nothing/You Just Haven't Earned It Yet,Baby/
Heavens Knows I'm Miserable Now/Ask/Golden Lights/Oscillate Wildly/These
Things Take Time/Rubber Ring/Back To The Old House/Hand In Glove/Stretch Out
And Wait/ Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want/This Night Has Opened My
Eyes/Unlovable/Asleep

Strangeways Here We Come
September 1987

A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours/I Started Something I Couldn't
Finished/ Death Of A Disco Dancer/Girlfriend In A Coma/Stop Me If You've Heard
This One Before/Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me/Unhappy
Birthday/Paint A Vulgar Picture/Death At One's Elbow/ I Won't Share You

Notes:
All Of The Singles and Album are Rough Trade except when listed.

The single This Charming Man New York/ This Charming Man(instrumental) was
intended to be a DJ pressing, a DANCE MIX.

Everyone will notice that How Soon Is Now is not listed Meat Is Murder. This
is becasue orginally the song  was not suppose to be on the album. It is not
list on on the album, but only on the CD and Tape.I may be wrong but i do not
think it is on the import.

The World Won't Listen is a comp of Moz's favorite songs. Where as Louder Than
Bombs is a combination of Hatful of Hollow and The World Won't Listen
 
Stretch Out And Wait on The World Won't Listen and Louder Than Bombs but the
words are a little different.

When Louder Than Bombs was first released it was packaged wrong. The A/B album
was The Smiths . Most Of them have been sent back. How do I know this- i have
it and I bought it for $3.00 when it came out.

It is very hard, next to impossible to Find The World Won't Listen on Cass. or
Cd in a store in the states. It is not listed as an import, but i think that
is the only way one can get them.

[ I've managed to find this CD at any good import store.  There's no way
  you're ever going to find either _The World Won't Listen_ or _Hatful
  Of Hollow_ at a "mainstream domestic" records store unless you're very
  lucky.  If you're in the Orange County area, there are two real good
  CD/import stores that carry just about everything by the Cure, the Smiths,
  Morrissey, etc.  One's called the Record PX in Fountain Valley and the
  other is Hyde Park Corner in Irvine.  (I don't have their addresses but
  I can give anyone directions if they ask).
     =K=       ]

I didn't included the 3 Peel Sessions.

On The Moz Discography Hairdresser on Fire Is listed on Viva Hate . It should
be noted that it appears on on the CD and Cassette.

All of the UK singles of Moz are released on his Master's Voice.

-----

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 91 19:16:51 -0500
From: Michael Arras <arras%icase.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Strangeways


Someone once told me that at one time all of The Smiths were
vegetarians.  After listening to Meat is Murder, I think that there must be
some truth to that.  Can anyone confirm/discount a rumor that any of The
Smiths was at least at one time a vegetarian?

Mike Arras
arras@icase.edu
-----

From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Peel Sessions

Nicole states that there are three peel sessions.  I only recall one on
CD.  Anyone else know anything about this and where I can find the other
two peel sessions?  The one I'm refering to was recorded on 18 May 1983
and has the songs "What Difference Does It Make", "Miserable Lie",
"Reel Around the Fountain" (excellent version) and "Handsome Devil".

Peel Sessions are essentially for new, struggling bands that are trying
to get some play time.  Since the Smiths literally hit it off with their
first few singles, I don't think they ever really needed to record a
second (or even third) peel session.  Of course there's always the
possibility that I'm wrong :-).  That's why you don't see Peel Sessions
of bands after they've "made it big". 

Does anyone know if there was ever a Morrissey Peel Session.  I kind of
doubt it (because of the above reasons), but just because I haven't seen
it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Last item:  has anyone heard of something called "the Attic Sessions"?
KROQ was playing some accoustic sets by the Smiths from this album.
I think it's a weekly show over in the UK.  The radio station played
an outstanding accoustic version of "There is a Light That Never Goes Out".

=K=

------
 Welcome to...
_________________________________________________
|                                                \
|   S  T  R  A  N  G  E  W  A  Y  S               >
|________________________________________________/
A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths.

Volume 1, Issue #3

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 91 19:57 EST
From: GGTZEUTSCHLE%AMHERST.BITNET%yalevm.ycc.yale.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Me and my Smiths

Hey, all!
        I'm a sophomore at Amherst College, 18 years old, born in France
(Toulon, on the Mediterranean), raised in Connecticut (Windsor, just north of
Hartford), and studying Political Science, hoping to (maybe) go on to
a career in international law.  Way back in '85, when I was a lowly high
school freshman, a couple of my friends had some really weird taste in music.
Their two favorite bands were the Dead Kennedys and the Smiths.  I had only
heard the DK's and didn't particularly like them, and foolishly assumed the
Smiths were similar.  Imagine my joyous surprise when, driving with one of
them, he popped "This Charming Man" into the tape player!  I was immediately
hooked, and copied The Queen Is Dead, Hatful of Hollow (I don't know where it
came from, but I don't have song titles, though most of them are also on other
albums, and the sound quality is really bad ...) and Meat Is Murder.  I even-
tually got around to getting/copying Louder Than Bombs, The Smiths, and (when
it came out two years later) Strangeways, Here We Come.  My favorite is
probably The Smiths, but they're really all great, even Strangeways.  (I didn't
figure it was worth the $25 to get The World Won't Listen on import LP or even
more on CD, though I didn't get a CD player 'til last summer, with the result
that I don't have any Smiths on CD :< )  I was most bummed when I heard that
the true Fab Four had broken up ... and Viva Hate didn't do much to make me
happier, nor did Bona Drag.  I mean, they're not BAD, and Morissey's lyrics
still have all their wittiness, but the music is much more boring ... I guess
Morissey just can't write music as well as Johnny Marr.  Speaking of which,
though it's very different, The The's Mind Bomb is certainly worth getting,
with some fine songwriting and guitar playing courtesy of Mr. Marr.  There are
some nasty racist implications in one of the songs (The Violence of Truth) but
the album is otherwise very intense.  Even a duet with Matt Johnson and Sinead
O'Connor (yes, I still love her.)  But I digress.  I have high hopes for Kill
Uncle, though I haven't heard it yet.  Hopefully it will come into our radio
station soon.  (Being a DJ is SO cool!)  Anyone else care to tell their Smiths
stories?
Greg Tzeutschler
(GGATz. hereafter)
"Hand in glove, the sun shines out of our behinds, no it's not like any other
love, this one's different because it's us ..."

[ As far as I know, Morrissey does NOT write his own music.  If you look
  at the credits of recent singles, you'll see that people like Armstrong,
  Street and Rourke write the music.  I agree...no one can really match
  Marr's musical abilities.     =K=         ] 
------

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 91 17:47:42 -0800
From: "Michael A. Ramirez" <mar%ocf.berkeley.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>

I have seen the How Soon Is Now vid and it was pretty good. I heard
that supposedly there is going to be a release of all of the Smiths videos on
tape. There is Hulmerist, which is a bunch of Morrissey videos. I like them
a lot.
In other news I heard on LIVE 105 (Modern rock station in SF) that
Morrissey's new album _Kill Uncle_ is supposed to be out March 5. I heard
the new single (i forgot the name) and it sounds pretty good.
That is all the news I have now...

[ For those of you who don't know, the single's called "Our Frank" ]
------
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Discography.

There seems to be two "import" EPs missing from Nicole's list.  The
first is called "Stop Me" and comes from Japan.  Here are the list
of songs on the album:

Stop Me If You Think You've Heard This One Before
Pretty Girls Make Graves (live)
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others (live) (verse added)
Girlfriend In A Coma
Work Is A Four Letter Word
I Keep Mine Hidden (claimed to be Morrissey's favorite song)
Sheila Take A Bow
Is It Really So Strange?
Sweet and Tender Hooligan

There's also an import from the West Germany called "Stop Me" which
has four of the above songs on it: Stop Me, Work is a Four Letter Word,
I Keep Mine Hidden and Girlfriend in a Coma. 

Another import from West Germany is the "Sheila Take A Bow" mini-CD.  This
one has the following songs:

Sheila Take A Bow
Is It Really So Strange
Sweet and Tender Hooligan
Shoplifters of the World
Half A Person
Panic
London

A special note on the CD case says that all tracks were produced by
Johnny Marr.  These imports were licenced by Rough Trade so I don't
think they are considered bootlegs.  Any other opinions?

On the topic of bootlegs, there's an album out called "Smith's Better
Live than Dead".  Thanks to Amy for sending me a copy.  It's really a
good concert.  While in a local CD store, I happened to find the CD
version of this concert.  Does anyone know if there are any other stores
that carry this album?  The CD is supposedly very valuable since only
1000 were pressed.

=K=

-----

Date: 25 Feb 91 21:46:52
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: STRANGEWAYS: discography


Thanks again Nicole!

I wonder if we can now get a list of the domestic releases from somewhere.  I
know there's got to be some difference, because I have a 12" of How Soon Is
Now (B-sides: How Soon Is Now? (edit) and Girl Afraid).
Also, I'd like to know which singles are available on CD.

There's obviously a bit of variation between the UK and US releases, and I
know that Japan also has at least one disc exculsive to that country.  Are
there any other pressings of Smiths material that are unique to a certain
country?  And what about Canada - did they get Louder Than Bombs or The World
Won't Listen and Hatful of Hollow?

I hope that someone can answer these questions...with the answers, i may be
able to find the true meaning of life :-)!

Michael
-----

Date: 25 Feb 91 22:07:04
From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways


I know that the Smiths did Three Peel Sessions. This Charming Man Handsome
Devil Reel Aroung The Fountain Back To The Old House Still Ill What Difference
Does It Make and This Night Has Opened My Eyes . I don't Know if They all have
been released.

About Marr and The Talking Heads. I have no idea when the next album is coming
out. I just heard that he was working with them again.

I know that Marr wasn't a vegetarian when the album was released.

Yes Bona Drag was weak, that's because mostly because of EMI . They wanted to
release an album in time for the Holiday seasion. Missing from the album is
Sister, I'm A Poet. I do like the transition from November to We'll Never
Marry.

About The How Soon Is Now Video. It is sometime played on MTV during 120min or
the alt. timeslot.

Does anyone have the video package(not Hulmerist) released awhile back after
The Queen is Dead. I think it was for Strangeways.

For those Who don't Have Louder Than Bombs- Don't Buy it. You will Be better
off with Hatful of Hollow and The World Won't Listen.

Nicole

[ Just out of curiosity, where did you hear about the other two Peel
  Sessions.  I'd be very interested if you had a tape or something.
    =K= ]
-----

Date: 25 Feb 91 22:14:34
From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Re: Strangeways #2


What is the status of the relationship between Morrissey and Rourke,Joyce,
Gannon?

Nicole
"Well I Wonder"

-----
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 91 14:44 +1100
From: Douglas.Miller%vax1.viccol.edu.au@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways

> From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
> Subject: Strangeways - fan club info
> 
> Michael and I wanted to know generally how distributed the Strangeways
> members were distributed across the nation.  I'm sure many others are
> curious as well.  We're going to try to keep track of the locations
> everyone writes in from and see where Morrissey/The Smiths are most
> popular.  Please write in and tell us where you live.

I'm from Melbourne, Australia.

Please note that this list is distributed across the world (only just ---
I counted only four non US addresses in the last header --- where are all
the devotees from the UK?) not "the nation".  While I'm on this particular
hobbyhorse, I would request that everyone follows "international etiquette"
when referring to "imports" and currency figures.

> I've got two tapes: one of the KROQ interview with Morrissey last year
> and one "concert vault" tape of one of their 1985-86 tour shows.  If
> someone would like to be in charge of copying and distributing them,
> please let me know.  Please don't send requests for them just yet.

Another rarity that could be included on a tape project would be the Vini
Reilly giveaway single "I know Very Well How I Got My Note Wrong".  Has
anyone managed to obtain this (and how much can I buy it from you for :-)?

[ Anyone want to volunteer to start up a tape duplication project? =K= ]
[ By the way, for those of us who don't know such as myself, what exactly
  is "international etiquette"?  What are we doing wrong...I apologize
  if I've offended anyone overseas.          =K=                       ]

-----
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Rourke, Joyce and Gannon  and "Our Frank"

Well, I assume you knew about the lawsuit Gannon had with Morrissey about
some works that he didn't get credit for (and/or paid for).  I'm not
really sure about the details but I know this lawsuit held up Ouija
Board from being released.  (This is what my importer source said).  The
last I saw of Gannon and Joyce was on "Interesting Drug".  Rourke
occasionally writes some music for some of Morrissey's B-sides (such
as "Girl Least Likely To", "Yes, I'm Blind", and "Get Off The Stage".
Rourke plays on "Last of the Famous International Playboys", "Interesting
Drug", and "November Spawned A Monster".  There were no credits on the
"Picadilly Palare" single but since he wrote one of the songs on the
single, he might have played on it.

I thought I'd post the lyrics to "Our Frank" since I'm listening to it
now and I'm beginning to really get into it.

Our frank and open/deep conversations/they get me nowhere/
they bring me down, so/give it a rest, won't you?/give me a cigarette/
God give me patience/just no more conversations.

Give us a drink/and make it quick/or else I'm gonna be sick/sick all over/
your frankly vulger/red pullover/now see how the colours blend.

Our frank and open/deep conversations/they get me nowhere/
they bring me down, so/give it a rest, won't you?/
now will you just give over/the world may be ending/but look, I'm only human.

Give us a drink/and make it quick/or else I'm gonna be sick/sick all over/
your frankly vulgar/red pullower/now see how the two colours blend.

Won't somebody stop me/from thinking all the time/
about everything/so deeply/so bleakly.


I liked the title cut, but the two B-sides ("Journalists Who Lie" and
"Tony the Pony") are not all that spectacular.

=K=
-----

Date: Mon, 25 Feb 91 22:42:50 PST
From: lars%cs.uoregon.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways


About the Peel sessions, I don't know how many there were,
but off "Hatful of Hollow", the following songs are
all from the BBC Radio One John Peel Show:

    What Difference does it make?
    This Charming Man
    Handsome Devil
    Still ill
    This Night has opened my eyes
    Back to the Old House
    Real around the fontain

Also off "Hatful of Hollow", the following songs are
from the BBC Radio One David Jensen Show:

   These Things Take Time
   You've got Everything Now
   Accept Yourself

As for Morrissey solo sessions, I think he did one,
but refused to have it aired/released because he
was mad at the studio staff at BBC.  Here's a
quote from a Morrissey interview, June 88:

[On the first solo Radio One Session]
"It was really awful, horrible.  The engineers are
quite accustomed to treating everyone like they were
some insignificant, unsigned group from Poole.  And
that's how I felt on that day.  I felt as though I'd never
seen a record, let alone made one.  So I found them a bit
rude and I couldn't sing because I was so annoyed and angry.

I think John Walters made a reference to it, saying I just
didn't want it aired because I didn't think it was good
enough, but the reason behind it was the situation at
Maida Vale studio."

The quote is taken from the book "In his own words, Morrissey",
by John Robertson (Omnibus press, ISBN 0.7119.1547.4) which
contains some interesting info.  It's pretty much a bunch of
excerpts from Morrissey interviews in the years 83-88.

By the way, I think the compilation tape idea is great, I'll
be willing to do the compilation/tape copying if there is
any interest for this and if people send me material.  Drop me
a note (email) if you think you have something
unusual/interesting to contribute.

Here's a CD (single) that I haven't seen in any of the discographies
yet (picked it up in Europe last summer): Stop Me If You Think You've
Heard This One Before/Work Is A Four Letter Word/Girlfriend In A Coma/
I keep Mine Hidden (LICD 9.00440, Line Records)



                       -Lars
                       lars@cs.uoregon.edu

-----

From: Pete Ashdown <pashdown%javelin.sim.es.com@ICS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Strangeways
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 91 6:57:06 MST

> From: Nicole.E.Nelson%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU

> Marr- has been picked up by the talking heads-again

Errrr, no.  It was The Pretenders who took on Marr for a while.  I haven't
heard of Marr rejoining them, I believe he's quite happy in The The.

> From: Michael Arras <arras%icase.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>

> Someone once told me that at one time all of The Smiths were
> vegetarians.  After listening to Meat is Murder, I think that there must be
> some truth to that.  Can anyone confirm/discount a rumor that any of The
> Smiths was at least at one time a vegetarian?

If you don't think Morrisey is a vegetarian after listening to "Meat is
Murder" there's not much else that can convince you.  He is a very STAUNCH
vegetarian.  I don't know about the rest of the band though.

[ Morrissey has been a vegetarian since he was a teenager (reference to
  interview at KROQ) although I can't account for the rest of the band. ]

-----
That's it for another issue...I appears that there'll be enough info
to have this post come out daily (or at least every other day).  Thanks
to everyone.
Welcome to...
_________________________________________________
|                                                \
|   S  T  R  A  N  G  E  W  A  Y  S               >
|________________________________________________/
A forum for Morrissey and The Smiths.

Volume 1, Issue #4

General Information from Kevin:

  Well, it looks like the mailing list is catching on and we can
  boast a membership of about 75 people (How about an exact number,
  Michael?). 

  If you want to post something to Strangeways, send mail to
  kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu.  It would be nice to put a subject
  line detailing what you are talking about since I basically
  just copy your mail into a file and when the file gets big
  enough, send it out.  Please keep the "STRANGEWAYS" header
  on the subject line so I can keep Strangeways mail seperate
  from other mail.

  If you want to join the mailing list, please send mail to
  Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu.  Michael is keeping
  track of the mailing list so blame him if you don't get a
  copy :-).  Just kidding Michael.  Without him, none of this
  would have started.  If for some strange reason you do not
  want to continue receiving Strangeways, also send mail to
  Michael.  I would appreciate it if you didn't send mailing
  list request to me from now on since I've got enough mail
  from Strangeways posts.

  As Douglas pointed out, we are now starting to get more and more
  people from overseas.  Please begin to reference "American" domestic
  CDs as "American" and imports by their respective nation of of
  release.  We can no longer assume that everyone is from America :-).
  I think it's easiest to say that unless you make a specific reference
  to a currency besides the American dollar, all dollar figures
  shown are in American dollars.  If we find that this gets too
  confussing in the future, the policy will be changed.  I believe
  right now we have about 10% of Strangeways overseas.

  Well, that's it for now...enjoy.

  =K=  "Won't somebody stop me from thinking all the time"

-----

Date: Tue, 26 Feb 91 10:44:47 -0500 (EST)
From: Marc Howard Anderson <ma1m+%andrew.cmu.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Strangeway

Sounds great.  Please sign me up (or whatever you're gonna do about it).

As a starter - how about any info concerning the Smiths B-sides
"Wonderful Woman" and any other unreleased songs.  Have you heard this
song?

Also, I heard a rumor a while back that there were plans to possibly
release a collection of Smiths unreleased songs including a cover of New
Order's "Blue Monday".  Has anyone else heard similar rumors?

Finally, I was told that "Kill Uncle," Morrissey's new album, was going
to be released on March 26th.  Have you heard anything?

-----

Date: 26 Feb 91 18:39:31
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Forwarded from Gary L Dare <gld@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu>: Re: STRANGEWAYS catalogue

Michael.C.Massengale@mac.dartmouth.edu writes:
>
>And what about Canada - did they get Louder Than Bombs or The World
>Won't Listen and Hatful of Hollow?

In Canada, we got "Louder Than Bombs" and "Hatful of Hollow" on Sire
Canada; I'm told that the CD version of "Hatful" is an import, which
means UK manufacture but not necessarily a higher price.  Import laws
are different up north, where the distributor often imports to fill
holes in the catalogue.  Unless a CD is of rare availability in
Canada, you should be paying the domestic price for it (~C$22).

gld

PS: Nicole, you missed the live album "Rank"!
-----

Date: Tue, 26 Feb 1991 16:12 CST
From: "happy the man." <DMONEY%ducvax.auburn.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU>
Subject: Strangeways

Thanks for the discography, Nicole. What about compilation albums that the
Smiths/Morrissey have appeared on? On the "Just Say..." series from Sire
Records, I've got "Work is a Four Letter Word," "Will Never Marry,"
and... oh, I can't remember the other two.

Kevin, how about putting a "How to post..." reminder in each issue header?

Dean.
-----

Date:     27-FEB-1991 09:55:43 GMT
From:     NMF%ABERYSTWYTH.AC.UK%pucc.princeton.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject:  Mozz peely sessions.

John Peel mentioned trying to get moz to do some peel sessions, but nother
(nothing rather!) seemed to come of it.

Its also unlikely that the smiths did 3 peel sessions, because although
strange fruit dont release all peel sessions to the shops, they only
release records which are gonna sell, and i shoudl think any smiths
session would sell.

Nick.

P.s. Im nick from Wales, im not welsh im from Manchester (so much..etc..)
and am a computer operator in UCW Aberystwyth.  Ive been into the smiths
since about '86 and have got all their albums other than _louder..._ and
all of mozzes.  I thought Bona drag was a good bridge, with all the singles
and b sides, well worth a tenner for the cd.

[ Although they may not have been called "Peel Sessions", the tracks
  from the John Peel Show on BBC Radio One are on _Hatful Of Hollow_
  (it was listed in the credits ...I didn't even know until I looked
  at the CD again).  Someone mentioned this earlier.  (It was Lars
  in Strangeways #3).   =K=                                        ]
-----

Date: Wed, 27 Feb 91 21:06 +1100
From: Douglas.Miller%vax1.viccol.edu.au@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways

> [ As far as I know, Morrissey does NOT write his own music.  If you look
>   at the credits of recent singles, you'll see that people like Armstrong,
>   Street and Rourke write the music.  I agree...no one can really match
>   Marr's musical abilities.     =K=         ] 

Morrissey is only ever credited with lyrics, but I've always felt that he
is being too modest --- he surely has a major part in writing those
brilliant and inventive vocal melodies.   The fact that this aspect of his
songs remains despite half a dozen co-writers is strong evidence for me.

-----


Date: Wed, 27 Feb 91 21:23 +1100
From: Douglas.Miller%vax1.viccol.edu.au@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways - international etiquette

> [ By the way, for those of us who don't know such as myself, what exactly
>   is "international etiquette"?  What are we doing wrong...I apologize
>   if I've offended anyone overseas.          =K=                       ]

Simply put, it means not assuming your reader is in the same country as
you, e.g.,

   Wrong                                   Right
   =====                                   =====
   "I got it for $300"                     "I got it for HK$300"
   "domestic release"                      "Australian release"
   "... is not on the import version"      "... is not on the UK version"

[ Thanks...if you didn't catch the opening remarks about international
  "etiquette", please read it again. =K=             ]
-----

Date: Wed, 27 Feb 91 21:49 +1100
From: Douglas.Miller%vax1.viccol.edu.au@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: Strangeways

I've just heard a song from "Kill Uncle" on the Australia-wide station JJJ
FM.  It is supposed to be in the shops here next week.  On a first listen
"Sing Your Life" appeals to be more than the three songs on the last
single.  Some snippets of the lyrics (as heard by me, of course!):

   Sing your life
   Any fool can think of words that rhyme

and

   And those who sing off-key
   They stole the notion from the likes of you and me

------


Date: 27 Feb 91 15:32:04
From: Michael.C.Massengale%mac.dartmouth.edu@ICS.UCI.EDU
Subject: STRANGEWAYS

>While I'm on this particular
>hobbyhorse, I would request that everyone >follows "international etiquette"
>when referring to "imports" and currency >figures.

I've never heard of this before either, but I'm starting to get an idea.  I
recently got flamed for referring to domestic releases (I'm sorry - and no,
Americans DON'T think the entire world revolves around them).

[ Sure they do :-) ]

A couple of months ago, while I was at home for Christmas, the local radio
station played the entire concert that Rank was taken from.  I don't remember
all that much about it, but I do remember that How Soon Is Now? was one of the
tracks.  Has anyone else heard this?  Maybe taped it?  I have a friend in
Texas who taped at least part of it, but I know that it wasn't that great a
copy.

Also, I'd like to see a track listing for Better Live Than Dead.  On the
subject of bootlegs, what other ones are available?  There have to be more
than I've seen talked about here (1).  I've heard of one from Australia that
has the dance mix of This Charming Man, but that's it.

One last thing: I heard today at the radio station that Kill Uncle has
Piccadilly Palare on it. IS THIS TRUE? Morrissey sure knows how to squeeze
every dollar out of a song.  I sure wish he'd stop doing this.  It's getting
too expensive - I want ALL new music on this disc (it'll probably only be 40
min. anyway).  Oh well, I guess I'll never learn...

Michael :-)

[ The new discography, coming out very soon (probably tomorrow if not
  sooner) includes the tracks to _Better Live Than Dead_.  I'd like
  to see a list of any other bootlegs out there.   =K=               ]

-----
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu
Subject: Strangeways Tape Duplication

Lars,

If you're interested in doing some tape duplications, I can send you
the concert that KROQ played one evening and the Morrissey interview
from KROQ last year.  I'm sure people would be interested.  If there's
a demand, I could also send you a copy of _Better Live Than Dead_
to duplicate, too. 

Who is interested in what?
(and what else is there to offer?)

=K=
-----

I'm modifying the Smiths/Morrissey discographies courteously typed in
by Nicole and Michael (respectively) to include some of the items
that were missed (such as the bootleg and a few singles I have). 
This will be mailed off seperately within the next few days (I need
to check some things at home first).            =K=