Related
Interviews
Man Made
Interview
Anthony Strutt speaks with Nile Marr, the front man with Manchester, alternative pop trio to discuss the history of the band, their debut album, 'TV Broke My Brain' and working with his father, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr
The Heartbreaks
Interview
Dixie Ernill speaks to Morecambe-formed, but now Manchester-based band the Heartbreaks, whose music which takes the best elements from the Smiths, Orange Juice, C86 pop bands and sixties girl groups, seems set for major record label success
Vinny Peculiar
Interview
Once described by 'Uncut' magazine as 'the Tony Hancock of pop', Mancurian musician Vinny Peculiar is about to release his seventh album, 'Goodbye My Angry Friend'. He speaks to Anthony Strutt about it, and his band which includes ex-Oasis guitarist Bonehead and former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce
Profiles
The Smiths and Morrissey: Every Album, Every Song
Pennyblack’s own Tommy Gunnarsson takes on The Smiths and Morrissey’s entire back catalogue. in his first book Fiona Hutchings rolls up her sleeves and dives in.
Johnny Marr
Set the Boy Free
Mary O'Meara discovers both the inner and outer worlds of Johnny Marr, from vivid childhood memories to the meteoric rise of The Smiths and beyond in his newly published memoirs 'Set the Boy Free'
Johnny Marr
Profile
With his autobiography just out, Kimberly Bright looks at the impact and influence of Johnny Marr on an entire generation of British guitar players and how he changed the direction of guitar culture before he was twenty-five
Dale Hibbert
Interview
On the back of his recent book, 'Boy, Interrupted', original Smiths’ bassist Dale Hibbert opens up to Dixie Ernill about his life both in and out of music.
Dale Hibbert
Boy, Interrupted
Dixie Ernill enjoys 'Boy, Interrupted', a fascinating life story of Dale Hibbert, who is so much more than just a former Smith
Johnny Marr
Profile
Anthony Strutt pays personal tribute to Johnny Marr, who has just released ‘Adrenalin Baby’, a new live album
Morrissey
Introducing Morrissey (DVD)
Andy Cassidy is impressed by Morrissey's new live DVD, which compiles together tracks from two nights on his tour to promote 'Vauxhall and I', his 1995 fourth solo album
Book - Morrissey
Autobiography
Hardcore Morrissey fan Andy Cassidy gives his verdict on Morrissey's controversial and much criticised 'Autobiography'
Live
Morrissey
Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, 13/3/2015
Anthony Strutt watches Morrissey, despite promoting his album from last year ‘World Peace is None of Your Business’ which is now impossible to buy, play an impressive set at the Capital FM Arena in Nottingham on his first UK tour in four years
Johnny Marr
Institute, Birmingham, 16/3/2013
Anthony Strutt watches former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr at the Institute in Birmingham play a stunning show on his first tour under his own name to promote 'The Messenger', which is his debut solo album
JD Set
Band on the Wall, Manchester, 13/5/2011
At the JD Set in Manchester, which was sponsored by Jack Daniels, Dixie Ernill watches Stone Roses/Primal Scream bass legend Mani and an assortment of other local musicians play an often superb set of Smiths' covers
Morrissey
Wireless Festival, Hyde Park, London, 27/6/2008
Anthony Strutt enjoys a passionate set of classic and some new songs from Morrisey at a one-off appearance at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park in London
Morrissey
MEN Area, Manchester, 22/5/2004
In his first homecoming Manchester show in 12 years, Dixie Ernill watches Morrissey play a variable set, but finds him still sometimes able to maintain an edge
Morrissey
London Royal Albert Hall, 17/8/2002
Back from LA for his first British shows in five years, Morrissey recently played two shows at the London Royal Albert Hall. Andy Snowball finds, despite his long absence, that the former Smiths frontman has lost none of his charisma and stage presence
Features
Heaven Is Whenever We Can Get Together: 2 - ‘The best advice that I've gotten’
In the second part of this four part article Steve Miles examines the links between religion and fandom with The Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, and ponders the effect of gigs by The Smiths, The Libertines and The Dandy Warhols as he continues to find an answer to the question of why and how music matters so much.
#4: From Leonard Cohen to Long Covid: Music and Mental Health – Part 1
In his regular column ‘In Dreams Begin Responsibilities’, Steve Miles begins to looks at the topical issue of mental health and its effect on music and songs by Leonard Cohen, Suicidal Tendencies and The Smiths.
Anthony Strutt
Vinyl Stories
In 'Vinyl Stories' Dave Goodwin talks to Anthony Strutt, one of Pennyblackmusic's oldest writers, about his favourite vinyl records, which include LPs by the Doors, the Pretenders, the Smiths, the Cure and the Beatles
Nicky Crewe
Factory Records Memories
Nicky Crewe reflects on what she both remembers and does not remember about knowing from her teens Factory Records boss Tony Wilson and working the door at the legendary Russell and Hacienda clubs