Johnny Marr once dug up a muddy garden on mushrooms with Andy Rourke
Everything you've ever wanted to know about the Smiths guitarist
Despite Johnny Marr’s legacy, he’s never not loved playing his guitar, whether it’s in The Smiths, Electronic, Modest Mouse or The Cribs. This month he releases case in point, live solo album ‘Adrenalin Baby’. We asked him to answer our Getting To Know Your questionnaire.
The best piece of advice you’ve been given
Lighten up, man.
Your favourite word
Nauze.
Your pet-hate
Ignorance aka Nationalism.
If you could only eat one food forever, it would be…
Thai Papaya salad.
The worst job you’ve had
I dug up a fella’s muddy garden in the rain with Andy Rourke for 10 hours, on mushrooms. It turned into Apocalypse Now.
The film you can quote the most of
Love and Death. Woody Allen.
Favourite place in the world
Driving at night after a show somewhere on the West Coast of America. Post-show serenity, work done, great place for an artist. I dreamt of it when I was a kid. I do it and I like it now.
Your style icon
Yohji Yamamoto.
The one song you wished you’d written
‘Tired Of Waiting’ by The Kinks.
The most famous person you’ve met
The Dalai Lama in London. He was great – said he loved my solo stuff.
The thing you’d rescue from a burning building
My red Gibson 355 that Seymour Stein bought me when The Smiths signed to Sire records.
The worst date you’ve been on
I took my girlfriend to the garden I was digging up with Andy Rourke.
Your guilty pleasure
Caffeine. I’m a bad man.
Your first big extravagance
Sunburst Gretsch Country Club guitar in 1986. I didn’t need it but I still have it, and a BMW 5 series on the same day. I just remembered that.
The worst present you’ve received
Measles.
The characteristic you most like about yourself
Absurdism.
Your hidden talent
I’m a trampoline expert.
Your favourite item of clothing
Early ’70s Black Brutus button down shirt.
Your biggest disappointment
The British working class’s participation in its own decline.
The celebrity that pissed you off the most
Jeremy Clarkson. I know… you’re welcome.
Your biggest fear
Boredom.
The best book in the world
The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley.
People’s biggest misconception about yourself
Mod. Bloke.
Who would play you in a film of your life?
David Silva.
What is success to you?
Still doing it after thirty years.
What talent do you wish you had?
A flair for languages, that’s pretty cool.
How would you like to die?
“Darling… it’s time… LSD… 100 micrograms, intramuscular, and read the Tibetan Book Of The Dead to me.”
What is the most overrated thing in the world?
Television.
What, if anything, would you change about your physical appearance?
I’d get a cool scar.
What’s your biggest turn-off?
Radio One.
What would you tell your 15-year-old self?
You’re right.
Your best piece of advice for others
Don’t be a dick.