CityLife

Marr dismisses Smiths' reunion talk

CRIBS MAN NOW: Marr

DESPITE several tabloid stories, rumours of a Smiths reunion are once again way off the mark, according to the iconic band’s former guitarist Johnny Marr.

Marr, now a full-time member of Wakefield indie rockers The Cribs, has dismissed any suggestion he could be about to reunite with his old cohorts as "untrue".

Marr added: "I'm currently very excited about writing and recording with The Cribs for a new album to be released next summer and we're playing shows in February, so going back in time isn't in my plans," he said.

The quartet are due to showcase tracks from the follow-up to 2007’s Man’s Needs Woman’s Needs Whatever at The Ritz on February 5 and 6.

Cohort

Meanwhile, Marr’s old songwriting cohort Morrissey also had a busy 2009 lined up.

The veteran solo artist will release a new LP, Years Of Refusal, on February 16 and will follow it in the spring with two shows at the Apollo, including one (May 22) on his 50th birthday.

Elsewhere in the Smiths’ camp, drummer Mike Joyce has recently started a residency at long-running indie haunt, The Brickhouse, while the results of bassist Andy Rourke’s collaboration with fellow bass players Mani and Peter Hook in Freebass are yet to be aired.